Britain, America and Allied Tactical Nuclear Weapons Planning, 1964–1966

Abstract

Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards.

Sun Tsu; The Art of War

We must, therefore, be confident that the general measures we have adopted will produce the results we expect. Most important in this connection is the trust which we must have in our lieutenants. Consequently, it is important to choose men on whom we can rely and to put aside all other considerations. If we have made appropriate preparations, taking into account all possible misfortunes, so that we shall not be lost immediately if they occur, we must boldly advance into the shadows of uncertainty.

Carl von Clausewitz; Principles of War

In the US and throughout NATO this trust had to be translated down the chain of command to the operational level, where strategy is operationalised into tactics. A great deal has already been written on the links between strategy and tactics.¹ Many have sought to examine war as a concept of tactical operations on land, in the air and at sea, contained within a broader strategy formed by a whole sub-system of national (state) and alliance (multilateral) interests. This has to be combined with the technical and economic capacity to implement strategy at an operational level within clearly defined and delineated political guidelines.