redlightning
Banned
What if in October 1962, the American spy missions are too late to find the installation of Russian nuclear missiles in Cuba, but ones which are fully installed and ready for launch at a moments notice?
I think the Americans would just be scared, but don't do anything at all. After all, the blockade was only made to prevent the entry of missiles to Cuba, but if they found that they have been installed, what more can they do?
What if in October 1962, the American spy missions are too late to find the installation of Russian nuclear missiles in Cuba, but ones which are fully installed and ready for launch at a moments notice?
Were they really that far along?
Didn't the missiles in Cuba require extensive time to fuel before launch and couldn't remained fueled and ready for long because of the corrosive nature of the liquid fuel?
Beyond any doubt, we would have hit Cuba immediately with a pre-emptive strike, followed up by all out invasion. If the tactical airstrikes do not prevent said missiles being launched against the USA, then WWIII begins, and in any event, there would be nothing left of cuba.I think the Americans would just be scared, but don't do anything at all. After all, the blockade was only made to prevent the entry of missiles to Cuba, but if they found that they have been installed, what more can they do?
If the US attacked Cuba they could expect to receive at least 30 and potentially a couple of hundred strikes on CONUS in return.
With all the missile sites operational, it would definitely be at least a couple hundred.
The initial U.S. strikes are going to destroy a fair number of the nuclear missile sites.
It isn't like the Soviets will be able to "instantly launch" as soon as American bombers appear on the horizon.
final counts were to have been 48 SS-4 and 32 SS-5 missiles in Cuba with 40 launch pads in total.
The initial U.S. strikes are going to destroy a fair number of the nuclear missile sites.
Likely just kill cities. Washington would definitely be on the target list because of it's importance, but more as a countervalue target then a counterforce one. The Soviets did envisage using tactical nukes as a military support, but their concept of strategic nuclear war in the 50's and 60's was pure countervalue.Plus, do the Soviets try for decapitation strikes on DC and Offutt AFB, Counterforce on Atlas ICBMs or just kill cities?
With all the missile sites operational, it would definitely be at least a couple hundred.
Khrushchev won't be ousted that's for sure. Only the Cuban Missile Crisis caused his fall.
Haven't people forgotten that even in the actual Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy was at the end within 24 hours of launching air strikes against Cuba?