A few comments on the nuclear options.
I think it is too easy to play any nuclear card, especially in 1948.
according to
https://www.alternatewars.com/BBOW/ABC_Weapons/US_Nuclear_Stockpile.htm the US stockpile was some 50+ bombs with a tonnage of 1,25 Megaton. I am not saying that is insignificant, but it might not be decisive after all.
ICBMs were not there in 1948 so any bombing campaign had to be carried out by USAF. Would it be possible to imagine that a few aircraft would be shot down? Early nuclear bombs might not have the type of arming mechanisms we see in the current versions of PAL. So, could we also see an aircraft accident at take-off? That would really be a 'bad hair-day' for anyone around.
So, let us imagine a campaign involving a total of 50 bombs.
Soviet forces are massing in East Germany and Poland, ready to strike and maybe starting to roll.
US strategic airpower in the UK?
Wiki says: "All B-29 operations in England were placed under the command of USAFE's, 3rd air force established at RAF Marham. At the close of World War II, most of the air bases used by the USAAF were returned to the British government and were in various states of repair by 1948. The MoD made available Marham, RAF Scampton, RAF Waddingtonand RAF Lakenheath for B-29 operations.
I am not aware that nuclear weapons were deployed in West Germany in 1948.
The B-29s are starting to fly from bases in UK, except for one which crashes on take-off and obliterates RAF Scampton. That should indeed keep the Brits happy.
Could we imagine 1-2 being shot down over France? could indeed be if it is a real shooting war. Oh well, I never liked the Eifel Tower, but it is a pity with Mona Lisa.
Air battles over Germany? Of course the Germans would be happy to be liberated by a few bombs on West Germany and even further East, before we even get to Poland.
To stop any Soviet land offensive, I am not sure US/UK forces would be able to do that in 1948 without a nuclear option. And that is the one which will devastate Western Europe.
So which country will be turned into nuclear ash? How many bombs will even get through Soviet air defenses? How many bombs will be fizzles?
On top of, after US having fired off its total arsenal, just maybe Soviet will intensify its bomb making capacity even more. So, instead of RDS-1 in August 1949, we could perhaps see RDS-1 operational in 1948? Instead of messing about with airborne delivery stick it on a ship sailing to New York.
Nuclear options might not be the greatest answer in all cases.
Just to be a bit of 'devil's advocate' here