04.08.2009, 16:16
It would be interesting to see the actual plans. Some kind of localised conflict fighting over portions of Europe might have been considered. A futile hope that war exhaustion and long supply lines could topple the Soviet Regime?
The alternatively plausible plan, strategic nuclear attacks against Russia, is even more frightening to contemplate. The Soviet Union would have been unable to retaliate effectively (no bomb until '49 historically) and might have been forced to negotiate or toppled regionally at least. However, it is unlikely that this would have happened quickly or completely. It is also questionable whether the process could have been stopped once started.
Fear of future retaliation when the Soviet Union did get equivalent weapons could lead to wholesale nuclear genocide (against a relatively helpless foe).
hock:
It is a nice future we live in. I think we can thank sanity, reasonableness and public opinion (as well as humanity) for that.
The alternatively plausible plan, strategic nuclear attacks against Russia, is even more frightening to contemplate. The Soviet Union would have been unable to retaliate effectively (no bomb until '49 historically) and might have been forced to negotiate or toppled regionally at least. However, it is unlikely that this would have happened quickly or completely. It is also questionable whether the process could have been stopped once started.
Fear of future retaliation when the Soviet Union did get equivalent weapons could lead to wholesale nuclear genocide (against a relatively helpless foe).
hock: It is a nice future we live in. I think we can thank sanity, reasonableness and public opinion (as well as humanity) for that.