In 1983 I was stationed in West (as it was then) Germany and deployed on a CPX (Command Post Exercise) called 'Able Archer'.
A the time, it definitely seemed different to every other exercise I'd been on, for example, my detachment was deployed to Hamlin (Hameln) where I'd never been before.
What I didn't have a clue about until a few years ago was that, apparently, the exercise brought us closer to WWIII than at any time since the Cuban missile crisis.
The reason for this was that the Warsaw Pact were monitoring radio communications and missile movements which led them to firmly believe that NATO were about to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the Pact and were ready to 'press the button' first.
The only thing that prevented a disaster were back-channel communications nipping it the bud and resulting in a premature 'endex' which was great for us - straight to the nearest bratty waggon!
Wow. From potential carbon outline to a relaxing stretch. The number of times we dance with death unknowingly. Gave me goosebumps thinking about how close we ALL came that day. Great historical front row seat but aren’t you glad you had no idea at the time?
I can only imagine that if myself and the rest of my detachment had somehow been aware of what was being thought, discussed and planned on the other side of the Iron Curtain we would have been absolutely bricking it.
I expect we'll find out in 20-30 years.
In 1983 I was stationed in West (as it was then) Germany and deployed on a CPX (Command Post Exercise) called 'Able Archer'.
A the time, it definitely seemed different to every other exercise I'd been on, for example, my detachment was deployed to Hamlin (Hameln) where I'd never been before.
What I didn't have a clue about until a few years ago was that, apparently, the exercise brought us closer to WWIII than at any time since the Cuban missile crisis.
The reason for this was that the Warsaw Pact were monitoring radio communications and missile movements which led them to firmly believe that NATO were about to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the Pact and were ready to 'press the button' first.
The only thing that prevented a disaster were back-channel communications nipping it the bud and resulting in a premature 'endex' which was great for us - straight to the nearest bratty waggon!
Wow. From potential carbon outline to a relaxing stretch. The number of times we dance with death unknowingly. Gave me goosebumps thinking about how close we ALL came that day. Great historical front row seat but aren’t you glad you had no idea at the time?
I can only imagine that if myself and the rest of my detachment had somehow been aware of what was being thought, discussed and planned on the other side of the Iron Curtain we would have been absolutely bricking it.
Right !!!! Sometimes ignorance really is bliss