DISSENTING PARTNERS: THE NATO NUCLEAR PLANNING GROUP 1965-1976 DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for A Doctoral Degree of Philosophy in the Graduate School of the Ohio State University By Franz L. Rademacher, M.A. ***** The Ohio State University 2008 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Professor Carole Fink, Adviser Professor Peter Hahn Professor Alan Beyerchen _________________________ Adviser Graduate Program in History ABSTRACT This dissertation examines the history of the Nuclear Planning Group (NPG) in NATO from its establishment through its formative and influential first decade. The current historiography, based on a limited number of primary and secondary sources, sees the NPG as an effective method of nuclear sharing in the early 1960s, as a vehicle utilized by the non-nuclear NATO members to influence United States nuclear planning. Utilizing government sources in the United States, Great Britain, and Germany, this thesis argues that the Nuclear Planning Group was an effective tool of consultation that allowed for a measure of compromise concerning concepts on nuclear war. This consultation apparatus was a significant departure from American treatment of allied concerns in the first fifteen years of NATO. It represented a method of bringing West Germany into a unique relationship that conformed to the Anglo-American views on nuclear planning while also serving to minimize the influence of other non-nuclear states. There existed limits to which the United States was willing to extend nuclear influence to its partners, and in the longer term, the NPG remained a political instrument, that was unable to resolve some of the most difficult problems of nuclear defense it faced in its first decade. This study of nuclear relations within NATO focuses on those in the highest levels of government and how NATO allies negotiated policy. Once additional documents become available, further expansion of this topic into the dramatic events of NATO’s nuclear history in the 1980s will become possible. ii Dedicated to my parents, whose love for reading undoubtedly inspired me down this path. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has helped me in my research and writing of this dissertation. Foremost, I need to thank my advisor, Professor Carole Fink, whose constant encouragement, assistance, and advice were invaluable throughout my graduate education. Also, I appreciate the comments of Professors Peter Hahn and Alan Beyerchen whose constructive criticism was quite valuable. The faculty and staff at the USMA Department of History and The Ohio State University History Department were essential in their everyday counsel and support during the entire research and writing process. MAJ William Mengal, MAJ James Guffey, and COL(ret) Dave Kerrins all assisted me during my research travels and the USMA Department of History also funded portions of my research. Professor Geri Smith also graciously assisted me in learning to translate French. Lastly I would like to thank Soo Jin and Kurt for their help and understanding through the entire process of my graduate education. They have put up with much that I never realize and their support without a doubt carried me through. iv VITA May 25, 1974……………………………..Born – Lansing, Michigan June 6, 1996………………………………Bachelor of Science, United States Military Academy, West Point NY May 2005………………………………...Masters of History, The Ohio State University May 2005…………………………………Completed Candidacy Exam August 2005 -2007………………………..Instructor, Department of History, United States Military Academy August 2007-2008………………………..Assistant Professor, Department of History, United States Military Academy FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: History Minor Field: European Diplomatic History Minor Field: Modern European History v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………ii Dedication……………………………………………………………………………...…iii Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………iv Vita……………………………………………………………………………….……….v List of Figures…………………………………………………………………………viii List of Abbreviations…………………………………………………...……….…….ix Dramatis Personae...…………………………………………..……………….……..…..xi Nuclear Planning Group Chronology……………………………………………...……xv Chapters: 1. Introduction…………………………………………………………….…………1 Initial attempts at nuclear sharing…………………………………………………7 The Hardware Solution: The Multi-Lateral Force (MLF)……….………...…….11 2. The Software Solution: The Special Committee of Defense Ministers..….……..18 The Software Solution: Political Factors…………………………………..…….40 The Software Solution and Non-proliferation………………………...…………48 The Role of Individuals………………………………………………………….51 3. System Input: The Nuclear Use Studies, 1967-1968……..……………………...57 Anti-Ballistic Missile Defense (ABMs)…………………………………...……..58 Atomic Demolition Mines (ADMs)………………………………………….…..64 Nuclear Planning Integration…………………………………………………….78 NPG Procedural Development…………………………………………………...88 4. System Output: Resolution in the NPG, 1969…………….…..………………..104 Provisional Political Guidelines………………………………………………...107 National Participation in Nuclear Planning………...…………………………..113 NPG Membership Debates in 1969....…………………………..……………...119 1969 in Summary……………………………………………………………….122 vi 5. System Glitches: Strategic Differences Rise Again, 1970-1973….……..……..125 System Input: Follow on Use Study Phase I…………………………………....131 System Output: Follow on Use Study Phase II………………………………....137 6. System Glitches: The NPG and International Politics, 1973-1976…………...145 Geopolitics and Phase II………………………………………………………..145 Internal Delays to Phase II…………………………………………………...…155 Domestic Politics and Phase II……………………………...………………….158 Trying Again: Follow on Use Study Phase III……….…………………………170 Military Planning and Other NPG Achievements in the 1970s………………..172 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….....185 Epilogue………………………………………………………………………….…202 APPENDICES Appendix A: Working Group III and NPG Ministerial Meetings……………………207 Appendix B: Nuclear Planning Group Organizational Chart, 1967-1975……………..210 Appendix C: NATO Tactical Nuclear Weapon Delivery Systems, 1975………………212 Appendix D: Photographs………………………………………………………………214 Appendix E: Conventional Force Deployments of NATO/Warsaw Pact………………220 Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………223 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Nuclear Planning Group Organizational Chart, 1967-1975……………………211 2 NATO Tactical Nuclear Weapon Delivery Systems, 1975…………………….213 3 Nuclear Planning Group Meeting, 6 April 1967….……………………….........215 4 Defense Planning Committee Meeting, 14 September 1966……………….......215 5 NPG Ministers and President Johnson, 6 April 1967…………………………..216 6 Defense Planning Committee Meeting ‘hallway discussions’………………….216 7 Davy Crockett…………………………………………………………………..217 8 Honest John……………………………………………………………………..217 9 US Nuclear Test “Swordfish,” 11 May 1962………………………………...…218 10 US Nuclear Test “Tightrope,” 4 November 1962………………………………218 11 ADM Cratering effects………………………………………...……………….219 12 Corps Sectors of Military Responsibility in NATO’s central region ……..…...221 13 Warsaw Pact divisions in the central region ………………………...…………222 viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AAPD Akten zur Auswärtiges Politik der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (series) ABM Anti-Ballistic Missile ACE Allied Command Europe ADMs Atomic Demolition Munitions ANF Atlantic Nuclear Force ASW Anti-Submarine Warfare CDU Christian Democratic Union (West Germany) CSCE Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe DPC Defense Planning Committee FRG Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) FRUS Foreign Relations of the United States (series) GDR German Democratic Republic (East Germany) ICBM Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile ISA International Security Affairs (OASD) LBJL Lyndon B. Johnson Library MBFR Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions MC Military Committee MLF Multi-Lateral Force MNC Major NATO Commanders MOD Minister of Defense NAC North Atlantic Council NARA National Archives and Records Administration (USA) NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization NDAC Nuclear Defense Affairs Committee NIKE Air defense system employed by most NATO allies in the 1960s ix NPG Nuclear Planning Group NPT Non-proliferation Treaty NSC National Security Council OASD Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense OSD Office of the Secretary of Defense PAAA Political Archive. German Foreign Ministry Permreps Permanent Representatives to NATO (ambassadors) PPGs Provisional Political Guidelines for the Initial Defensive Tactical Use of Nuclear Weapons by NATO PRO Public Records Office, National Archives (Kew, Great Britain) RAND Research and Development Corporation SACEUR Supreme Allied Commander Europe SACLANT Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic SALT Strategic Arms Limitation Talks SHAPE Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe SIOP Single Integrated Operational Plan (US Plan for Strategic Nuclear use) SOZG Soviet Occupation Zone Germany (ie. GDR) SPD Social Democratic Party (West Germany) SSP Scheduled Strike Program, (SACEUR plan for nuclear use) USNATO United States Mission at NATO Headquarters x DRAMATIS PERSONAE CANADA Campbell, Ross Canadian Ambassador to NATO, 1967-1972 FRANCE de Gaulle, Charles President, 1958-1969 GREAT BRITAIN Carrington, Peter Secretary of State for Defense, 1970-1974 (Conservative) Healey, Denis Secretary of State for Defense, 1964-1970, 1974-1979 (Labor) Heath, Edward Prime Minister, 1970-1974, (Conservative) Wilson, Harold Prime Minister, 1964-1970, 1974-1976 (Labor) ITALY Andreotti, Guilio Minister of Defense, 1959-1966 (Christian Democrat)