The Sword and the Shield: Britain, America, NATO and Nuclear Weapons, 1970-1976 (Nuclear Weapons and International Security since 1945)

Kristan Stoddart reveals for the first time discussions that took place between the British, French and US governments for nuclear cooperation in the early to mid 1970s. In doing so it sets the scene for the upgrade to Britain's Polaris force codenamed Chevaline and how this could have brought down Harold Wilson's Labour government of 1974-1976. The Sword and the Shield reveals for the first time declassified discussions that took place between the British, French and US governments for nuclear cooperation in the early to mid-1970s. In doing so, it sets the scene for the top secret upgrade to Britain's Polaris force, codenamed Chevaline, and how this could have brought down Harold Wilson's Labour government of 1974-1976. It also analyses the evolution of NATO strategy in this period into something that was capable of a flexible response to Warsaw Pact aggression - a response that, if enacted, could well have been apocalyptic Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 List of Figures 9 Acknowledgements 10 Series Editor’s Introduction 13 Introduction 22 1 The Heath Government, France, and the Not So Special Relationship, 1970–1974 32 2 The ‘Special Nuclear Relationship’ under Heath, 1970–1974 64 3 Britain, NATO’s Evolving Military Doctrine, and Its Nuclear Planning Group: The Balance between the Sword and the Shield, 1970–1974 104 4 National Strategy and Multilateral Priorities: British ‘Tactical’ Nuclear Operations, 1970–1974 136 5 The Last Wilson Governments and Strategic Nuclear Deterrence, 1974–1976 159 6 Nuclear Testing and the Practicalities of Moving Chevaline to Completion, 1974–1976 177 7 Britain, America, and NATO Modernisation, 1974–1976 193 8 Tactical Nuclear Weapons, Operational Employment, and Conventional Defence, 1974–1976 224 Conclusion 238 Appendices 254 Notes 256 Bibliography 316 Index 334 Front Matter....Pages i-xx Introduction....Pages 1-10 The Heath Government, France, and the Not So Special Relationship, 1970–1974....Pages 11-42 The ‘Special Nuclear Relationship’ under Heath, 1970–1974....Pages 43-82 Britain, NATO’s Evolving Military Doctrine, and Its Nuclear Planning Group: The Balance between the Sword and the Shield, 1970–1974....Pages 83-114 National Strategy and Multilateral Priorities: British ‘Tactical’ Nuclear Operations, 1970–1974....Pages 115-137 The Last Wilson Governments and Strategic Nuclear Deterrence, 1974–1976....Pages 138-155 Nuclear Testing and the Practicalities of Moving Chevaline to Completion, 1974–1976....Pages 156-171 Britain, America, and NATO Modernisation, 1974–1976....Pages 172-202 Tactical Nuclear Weapons, Operational Employment, and Conventional Defence, 1974–1976....Pages 203-216 Conclusion....Pages 217-232 Back Matter....Pages 233-324 The Heath Government, France, And The Not So Special Relationship, 1970-1974 -- The 'special Nuclear Relationship' Under Heath, 1970-1974 -- Britain, Nato's Evolving Military Doctrine, And Its Nuclear Planning Group : The Balance Between The Sword And The Shield, 1970-1974 -- National Strategy And Multilateral Priorities : British 'tactical' Nuclear Operations, 1970-1974 -- The Last Wilson Governments And Strategic Nuclear Deterrence, 1974-1975 -- Nuclear Testing And The Practicalities Of Moving Chevaline To Completion, 1974-1976 -- Britain, America, And Nato Modernization, 1974-1976 -- Tactical Nuclear Weapons, Operational Employment, And Conventional Defense, 1974-1976. Kristan Stoddart. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 295-312) And Index. The Sword and the Shield reveals for the first time declassified discussions that took place between the British, French and US governments for nuclear cooperation in the early to mid-1970s. In doing so, it sets the scene for the top secret upgrade to Britain's Polaris force, codenamed Chevaline, and how this could have brought down Harold Wilson's Labour government of 1974-1976. It also analyses the evolution of NATO strategy in this period into something that was capable of a flexible response to Warsaw Pact aggression--a response that, if enacted, could well have been apocalyptic.-- Provided by Publisher Kristan Stoddart Reveals For The First Time Discussions That Took Place Between The British, French And Us Governments For Nuclear Cooperation In The Early To Mid 1970s. In Doing So It Sets The Scene For The Upgrade To Britain's Polaris Force Codenamed Chevaline And How This Could Have Brought Down Harold Wilson's Labour Government Of 1974-1976. By Kristan Stoddart.