Reply to: Russian plans to invade Manchester

[NotAllThere]

The Russians would never have left them with no choice - Salami Tactics:

The Grand Design - Yes Prime Minister

The Chief Scientific Adviser asserts that if the Russians would to try anything, it would be salami tactics (slice by slice). Jim soon realises that he would only push the nuclear button if he were given no choice. But because of the Russians using salami tactics, he will probably never push the nuclear button.

[thunderlizard]

The threat of instant vaporisation when growing up in the 70s-80s provided a great sense of perspective. No wonder that generation spent all their money on camcorders and blu-ray instead of pensions.

[Sysman]

What RC said.

In the Seventies my Dad - a local government officer at that time - was sent to an RAF base for a Top Secret training course.

It turned out to be all about the stuff that was later made public as "Protect and Survive". You know the kind of thing: lean doors against the outer wall of the cupboard under the stairs, pile earth from the garden against it, then all sit in there crapping and pissing in one bucket for the next three weeks. If somebody dies, wrap them in a blanket and chuck them in the garden for later disposal.

That was life in the Cold War; of course governments made their plans.

The Soviets would have been remiss if they hadn't had detailed plans for the occupation of Manchester, and other cities whose maps aren't included in the exhibition prompting that particular press release (which was, IMHO, much better reported in The Grauniad). Our military establishment doubtless still has maps advising on the best routes for the invasion of such places as Moscow and Minsk, tucked away in a storeroom somewhere in case they're ever needed.

So, Fascinating: yes. Incredible: not really.

I knew a local government officer who was in the Civil Defence. Not something you ever heard about, but it was there and no doubt still is in one form or other.

Do you remember When the Wind Blows? It was a satirical novel (cartoon style) about what happened if you followed the official guidelines.

One day during Jimmy Carter's presidency I was on my way to work when the Beeb announced a sudden escalation in the nuclear stakes. Turning around and heading for the hills seriously crossed my mind.

Yes it was very real.

[Board Game Geek]

I note that there were no plans to attack Glasgow.

Which was just as well, because they wouldn't have stood for any nonsense up there at all.

I suspect the Ruskies knew this and realised that it'd be suicide.

Shame they never planned to take Harlow though.

Even the local residents would've chipped in and offered to help.

[Churchill]

What RC said.

In the Seventies my Dad - a local government officer at that time - was sent to an RAF base for a Top Secret training course.

It turned out to be all about the stuff that was later made public as "Protect and Survive". You know the kind of thing: lean doors against the outer wall of the cupboard under the stairs, pile earth from the garden against it, then all sit in there crapping and pissing in one bucket for the next three weeks. If somebody dies, wrap them in a blanket and chuck them in the garden for later disposal.

That was life in the Cold War; of course governments made their plans.

The Soviets would have been remiss if they hadn't had detailed plans for the occupation of Manchester, and other cities whose maps aren't included in the exhibition prompting that particular press release (which was, IMHO, much better reported in The Grauniad). Our military establishment doubtless still has maps advising on the best routes for the invasion of such places as Moscow and Minsk, tucked away in a storeroom somewhere in case they're ever needed.

So, Fascinating: yes. Incredible: not really.

I spent the first 4 years of my life living in a Police House attached to the local nick.

There was an early warning receiver in the station that apparently I was fascinated by. If the <beep><beep><beep> ever changed to a continuous tone then that was it!

[NickFitz]

Incredible

You think that incredible?

Then I take it you are not a child of the bomb?

What RC said.

In the Seventies my Dad - a local government officer at that time - was sent to an RAF base for a Top Secret training course.

It turned out to be all about the stuff that was later made public as "Protect and Survive". You know the kind of thing: lean doors against the outer wall of the cupboard under the stairs, pile earth from the garden against it, then all sit in there crapping and pissing in one bucket for the next three weeks. If somebody dies, wrap them in a blanket and chuck them in the garden for later disposal.

That was life in the Cold War; of course governments made their plans.

The Soviets would have been remiss if they hadn't had detailed plans for the occupation of Manchester, and other cities whose maps aren't included in the exhibition prompting that particular press release (which was, IMHO, much better reported in The Grauniad). Our military establishment doubtless still has maps advising on the best routes for the invasion of such places as Moscow and Minsk, tucked away in a storeroom somewhere in case they're ever needed.

So, Fascinating: yes. Incredible: not really.

[OwlHoot]

The russians signed a 'Peace treaty' with Berwick on Tweed in 1954, 200 years after the Crimean war started.

WHS - 100

[DSW]

but would they ever get all the way across europe without somone launching a load of nukes? Probably by the time they had got across germany France would have either a) surrendered b) launched its nukes. If not I suspect the US would and if they didnt the UK would if they thought a ground invasion was coming.

Probably 1/2 the reason it never happened - because the other side could just press a button and it was game over for everyone.

Also why bother to invade if they nuke the place? just let it rot/radiate.

[Moscow Mule]

The logistics in launching an invasion of the UK would render it impossible for the USSR to do so without a nuclear attack. After such an attack the maps would be useless.

I don't buy that. Once they'd established control of mainland Europe you could achieve air superiority over the UK in a couple of weeks. Once you've got that, a successful invasion is pretty much assured.

[Paddy]

Incredible

http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/article.as...ntid=149367279

The logistics in launching an invasion of the UK would render it impossible for the USSR to do so without a nuclear attack. After such an attack the maps would be useless.

A far more believable explanation came from a former Soviet spy who lived in Blackpool. He said that he was so bored with nothing to spy on so he decide to copy maps, he even went to the extent of thinking up new names for the streets

[Sysman]

I was a child of the bomb, which is why I was surprised they'd bother to physically invade Manchester when they could have just nuked us.

We were probably subject to a lot more propaganda than we thought at the time.

It would take a lot of manpower to spread the revolution that far and maintain it's iron grip. Resources wise maybe they wanted coal, North Sea oil and factories.

In 1974 we still had factories, and the M62 to Yorkshire was in place. Steel, iron, coal, textiles, engineering, chemicals etc. were all there.

They would have probably installed Labour useful idiots as a puppet government.

There were rumours about Harold Wilson, and some of those trade union leaders were definitely that way inclined.

Mind you it was always NATO who would have used tactical nukes first, the Russkis would never have made it into France.

That reminds me of the Spitting Image sketch with Ronald Reagan and Nancy in bed. At the time I feared that the Yanks would be first to push the button.

[Churchill]

The russians signed a 'Peace treaty' with Berwick on Tweed in 1954, 200 years after the Crimean war started.

Where's the evidence?

A treaty wasn't needed.

[Toastiness]

You think that's worrying, Berwick-upon-Tweed is still at war with Russia.

The russians signed a 'Peace treaty' with Berwick on Tweed in 1954, 200 years after the Crimean war started.

[Churchill]

He's referring to the Treaty of Paris, but they never started the war either.

Oh really...

[TriggerHippy]

Sorry DP, no it ain't.

He's referring to the Treaty of Paris, but they never started the war either.