"Iron Destinies, Lost opportunities (Charles Morris)" which I read several months back, mentioned that the Carter then the Reagan administrations had serious misgivings about the Pershing II IRBM because it interfered with the "flexible response" doctrine preferred in Washington. It was felt that by insisting on a dual key system for the missiles, the W. German gov welded the USA to them; it just might have meant "trading Chicago for Hamburg", in the parlance of the day.
IMO the only beneficial role they played was when they were ceded via the INF treaty in 1987.
In light of how controversial the missiles were in Europe (99 luftballoons etc.), what if they were never deployed?
IMO the only beneficial role they played was when they were ceded via the INF treaty in 1987.
In light of how controversial the missiles were in Europe (99 luftballoons etc.), what if they were never deployed?