Soviet War Scare of 1983

[Who Needs 8]

Tonight on the Discovery Times Channel (expanded digital cable) is this show about November 11, 1983. I've never heard about this event.

In November 1983, Soviet fingers hovered over the nuclear button. AVOIDING ARMAGEDDON reveals the little known story behind this crisis, which is now recognised as one of the most dangerous periods in the entire Cold War & of recent history.

This should be good.

Tonight at 8 PM and 12 AM midnight
Replay October 5th at 8 PM and 12 AM midnight

[propellerhead]

Worse than the Cuban Missile Crisis?

[Who Needs 8]

Worse than the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The commercials never said that, but they are infering that.

[Strychnine]

Haven't heard of that one... but I thought this was interesting.

From the book War Scare: Russia and America on the Nuclear Brink By Peter Vincent Pry
What were you doing on October 4, 1993? I was making a desperate phone call from the headquarters of North American Air Defense and Space Command, near Colorado Springs, to my wife in Washington, DC. I told her to take our kids out of school and head for the hills, because the Russians might launch a nuclear attack.
This was no joke. On that ady, a half-dozen other intelligence and strategic warning officers from the Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, and Defense Intelligence Agency made similar phone calls to their families.
I remember October 4, 1993 with the same crystalline clarity that I recall October 22, 1962...

[Strychnine]

Here's what you're looking for...


Able Archer-83 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Able_Archer_83)


Able Archer 83 was a ten-day NATO exercise starting on November 2, 1983 that spanned the continent of Europe and simulated a coordinated nuclear release.[1] It incorporated a new, unique format of coded communication, radio silences, participation by heads of state, and a simulated DEFCON 1 nuclear alert. The realistic nature of the exercise, coupled with deteriorating relations between the United States and the Soviet Union and the anticipated arrival of Pershing II nuclear missiles in Europe, led some in the USSR to believe that Able Archer 83 was a genuine nuclear first strike.[1][2][3][4] In response, the Soviets readied their nuclear forces and placed air units in East Germany and Poland on alert.[5][6] This relatively obscure incident is considered by many historians to be the closest the world has come to nuclear war since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.[7] The threat of nuclear war abruptly ended with the conclusion of the Able Archer 83 exercise on November 11, which, coincidentally, was also Armistice Day (alternatively called Remembrance Day or Veterans Day).[8][9

[propellerhead]

1993 or 1983?

[Who Needs 8]

So who watched this last night? That was some freaky sh*t. That damn soviet early defense system almost did us in. I can't believe that guy that used his instinct to not send a launch command in was repremanded and discharged. What a backwards effing system.

And how the hell did the Soviets justify calling the U.S. the "nuclear bully" when they had more weapons, more powerful weapons, and gave the "nuclear football" to THREE PEOPLE??? Because we used two bombs DURING A WAR?? WTF?

[propellerhead]

I don't get that channel. :(

[Mr Majestyk]

So who watched this last night? That was some freaky sh*t. That damn soviet early defense system almost did us in. I can't believe that guy that used his instinct to not send a launch command in was repremanded and discharged. What a backwards effing system.

And how the hell did the Soviets justify calling the U.S. the "nuclear bully" when they had more weapons, more powerful weapons, and gave the "nuclear football" to THREE PEOPLE??? Because we used two bombs DURING A WAR?? WTF?

I DVR'd it last night and will watch it tonight. Thanks for the heads up that it was coming on.

[Chuck]

I watched part of it...didn't get to see all of it though.

[Geor!]

I wanted to watch this really bad, but I do not receive the Discovery Times channel.

[TX21]

Wow I was in England at the time, freaky as hell.

[JimD]

Shit, i missed it!

[evil jose]

Any idea when they are replaying it?

[livinglegend_86]

Any idea when they are replaying it?
x2. interested in seeing this... can't find it anywhere online. :(

[Mr Majestyk]

I looked in DirecTV's on-screen schedule last night and it didn't show up as being reshown in the near future. The name of the program is "Remember When".

It is a well-done presentation, and brought back some recollections of that time that I had forgotten. The show is littered with too many commercials, but that's what DVR's are for :D

[32VfromHell]

Wow I was in England at the time, freaky as hell.


Heh. Have you researched any on the English nuclear attack plans?
Pretty much, they predicted 97-98% of all londoners to die.

They also told people to stay in their homes and "ride it out". Mainly to keep the roads clear for the military. Also, the plan was to "turn aside" and the use of deadly force was to be used by those of rank corporal and above on those who try to leave the immediate areas of attacks. Basically, the plan was to let those who wouldnt survive die, so that all the medical care would go to those who have a chance, as well as all the remaining food.

Not that they are wrong, its the exact policy that SHOULD happen. Still, its quite scary and that kind of cold-blooded rationale, to me at least, sends chills down my spine just giving a bit of an insight into what the world would be like post-nuclear attack.