While the men at NPIC were analyzing more photographs from U2, they found another SS4 site, then another, again another. They worked through the night, and analyzed that there are more SS4 and SAM sites around each, in Cuba, both operational as well as under construction. NPIC has handed complete surveillance as well as assessment information to NMCC and in the morning NMCC made a briefing to the president Kennedy as well as his National Security Council (NSC).
Along with President Kennedy, there were 4 more person in that room, Marshal Carter of CIA, Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, National Security Adviser George Bounty and other top aids of NPIC. This group became to known as the Executive Committee of National Security Council, the xCom. Marshal Carter has explained to Kennedy about the clear evidence of Soviet SS4 nuclear missile site in Cuba with proof and analysis reports. Kennedy has responded as 'The Soviets are made a bold move, Lets act together'. Discussion turns into a quick solutions, Airstrikes to the Soviet Missile Batteries. Defense Secretary McNamara has interpreted this version as 'we wanted to make sure that there are no operational SS4 sites before the Airstrikes or the Airstrikes must be simultaneous as well as powerful to all operational SS4 sites. orelse it can be cause chaos in the east cost or 600 - 1000 miles area from Cuba.
But nobody in the xCom had idea that there are several Soviet SS4 are full operational in different missile sites, to avoid total strategic drop, like a massive Air raid in all the operational sites. Soviets were good. President Kennedy were here for a primary initiative, complete invasion of Cuba or a complete Navel-blockade of Cuba for further Soviet Aid, or both together. The Military wanted to do both but Kennedy in need of time. He ordered for an increase in the U2 surveillance flights over Cuba.
But no one in xCom was known to be that in Cuba, the Soviet were prepared with Battle Filed Nuclear Weapons, like Short Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), which can cause serious damages in the invading US marine divisions, in land and sea. Also US was unknown about the threat in the sea, streaming over the Cuban territorial sea, there are 4 heavily armed Soviet Nuclear Submarines were patrolling, with Nuclear Missiles aboard. There were American Aircraft Carriers and Frigates were patrolling in the area without knowing this fact. Soviet Nuclear Submarines have clear orders to use Nuclear Torpedoes against US Carriers in case of a possible threat.
But no one in xCom was known to be that in Cuba, the Soviet were prepared with Battle Filed Nuclear Weapons, like Short Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), which can cause serious damages in the invading US marine divisions, in land and sea. Also US was unknown about the threat in the sea, streaming over the Cuban territorial sea, there are 4 heavily armed Soviet Nuclear Submarines were patrolling, with Nuclear Missiles aboard. There were American Aircraft Carriers and Frigates were patrolling in the area without knowing this fact. Soviet Nuclear Submarines have clear orders to use Nuclear Torpedoes against US Carriers in case of a possible threat.
But the real threat was still under the doom. The latest U2 pictures analyzed by the NPIC has some surprising factors. There are 2-3 sites, which are considered as the Soviet SS4 MRBM, were possibly the Soviet Intermediate range Ballistic Missile Batteries (IRBM), the SS20, which can take any strategic position in the entire continent on United Stated within a few minutes. This was a real peace of shocking evidences.
President Kennedy had a discussion with the Soviet Foreign Minister Andre Cremikov, on October 18th about the possible weaponry arsenal of Cuba. But Cremikov had denied the presence of any tactical offense to US and Kennedy has warned him about a surprising attack against Cuba. The next morning, on October 19th, in a meeting with the Joint Chief of Staffs, the senior Military Generals were requesting for a Massive Air Raids but Kennedy has completely denied to an assessment that the Soviets will retaliate or we will force them to do so.
There was serious and dark silence in the operational Submarines without radio communication with their commanders. But US Navy was in touch with them to not make any surprises in the American water. The US Marines were ready for the Cuban invasion, long before, but now there is a necessity. They may be required there within 5 days of the Air attacks in the missile & defense batteries. The CIA has reported that there are more than one Ballistic Missile Regiment is fully operational in Cuba, which means they can make strike within 40 minutes. Kennedy wanted the Air Strikes before any missiles get operational. That window has closed forever.
The Americans were reluctant to confirm that there were Soviet Combat Units in Cuba waiting for the Americans, there were Soviet Tactical Nuclear Defense Systems for a dissuasive battle with the US. The Soviet were far more prepared and forecasted than the Americans. Even the preparation of the Marines for a full scale invasion along with the sea and air supports is completed, they were not prepared for a full scale Nuclear War against Soviets.
On October 22nd, US naval commands ordered to make a complete naval blockade against Cuba. Defense Secretary McNamara ordered an immediate evacuation of US citizens as well as dependents from the Guantanamo Bay and move the strategic marine units instead. In Cuba, the military is in high alert, the anti-aircraft batteries are deployed in an around strategic points, the Soviet combat units are moved to strategic positions, everything on high degree. So do in US, the president is addressing the nation on 1900 hours and the US military is in high alert.
Kennedy addressed the nation as the government is promised to provide complete and close security and surveillance, not only to the to the people of United States but to the allies of America. He continued his speech as they found operational Nuclear Missile Batteries in the island of Cuba, any single missile flied in the western hemisphere from Cuba, will considering an attack against United States and a complete and full scale retaliation will be made against Soviet Union as well their allies. Now the world had know about the crisis.
US strategic Air Command has put their forces into next high defense condition, DefCon 3. As the US NSC has has determined that there are tactical weapons, but was not enough to show to the world. It requires more precise and clear information. US naval commander has ordered to the Naval Night Photographic Division, for a close photographic session in a Soviet Missile Battery. Even through it was risk as they are protected by the SAM batteries, it was necessary.
On October 22nd night, US naval aircraft has flied below 100 feet over a Soviet Missile Site and they found several Missiles, launch Pads, Launch Vehicles, Nuclear Assemblers, SAMs, what not. In UN assembly, the US Foreign Secretary has presented the clear evidence against USSR for a Nuclear Deployment in Cuba. The Soviets were on a same ground before and after.
In the Caribbean Sea, there was another Soviet convoy of 2 Ships accompanied by a Soviet Nuclear Submarine with a Nuclear Torpedo. In White House Defense Secretary Robert McNamara has explained the latest situation as they found the Soviet Nuclear Capable Submarine and US preparation to intercept them. But President Kennedy was reluctant to start the war in that way. He doesn't wat to start war by attacking a Soviet Submarine. The Soviet Nuclear Submarines were fasting in launch depth. Robert Kennedy was updating to the President that this moment has bring the world too close to a Nuclear War and this moment onwards the US NMCC has moved the Defense Condition 2, the DefCon 2, one step away from a Nuclear War.
For US and for the rest of the world !
No comments:
Post a Comment