The Central Front: Command And Control On The Nuclear Battlefield D+24 (2 August, 1987) Part II

NATO’s retaliation for the nuclear attack against I NL Corps came in the form of two nuclear warheads targeted at two separate targets and delivered by a pair of US Army Pershing II medium-range ballistic missiles. The first and more valuable target was the Group Soviet Forces Germany’s wartime forward command bunker outside Stendal. This …

We Were Right To Fear That Weapon D+24 (2 August 1987) 1648-2015 Zulu

1648- On Nightwatch President Reagan is placed in contact with Chebrikov and Dolgikh in the Lenin Hills. They speak for eighteen minutes. The topics discussed have never been confirmed by either the Russian or US governments. Nor have any of the three men involved ever revealed the matters discussed and agreements reached at this time. …

Six To Five And Pick ‘Em D+24 (2 August 1987) 1625-1645

Nightwatch 1625 Zulu (1225 Local) Full text of General Secretary Romanov’s Hotline Message 1620 Zulu, 2 August, 1987: MR PRESIDENT, IMMEDIATELY UPON TRANSMISSION OF THIS MESSAGE TO YOU, I WILL CONTACT THE LEADERS OF THE ABORTED COUP AND DEMAND THEIR UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER BY 1800 HOURS ZULU TIME. FAILURE TO MEET THIS DEMAND WILL RESULT IN …

Black Jack Dawn D+24 (2 August, 1987) 0400-0450

0415 Zulu- SACEUR submits a final target recommendation to President Reagan. The US leader reviews it with the Joint Chiefs and NSC members first. Next comes a discussion with the leaders of Great Britain, France and the Federal Republic. There is general agreement with SACEUR’s selection. For the Germans, however, their approval is understandably reluctant. …

A Brief Glance At NATO Theater Nuclear Forces D+23 (1 August, 1987)

NATO’s theater nuclear forces in Central Europe on D+23 consisted of intermediate range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, and nuclear gravity bombs delivered by tactical fighters. In the case of ballistic and cruise missile systems, the warheads and missiles were both operated and owned by the United States. When it came to air delivered B-61s, …

Pershing II and GLCM Dispesral: D-1 (8 July, 1987) **

Shortly after 0100 local time on 8 July, 1987, SACEUR issued what was perhaps his most critical pre-war order. As the armies massing across Europe captured the attention of the world, a debate was raging behind the scenes in Brussels and select Western capitals. The question of whether or not to disperse NATO’s force of …