America after the nuclear war: The John Glenn administration

[Reaganfan]

On September 1, 1983, The Soviet Union shoots down Korean Airlines 007 over Soviet airspace, killing all 269 on board. President Ronald Reagan and the Reagan/Bush administration strongly condemn the actions of the Soviets. On September 5, 1983, Reagan states that it was "an act of barbarism and inhuman brutality."

The Soviets dismiss claims that the aircraft was shotdown and tensions escalate. Finally on September 6, 1983, the Soviet Union admits that indeed they shot down Flight 007, but that it was not a civilian airliner, but rather a spy plane from the United States violating Soviet airspace.

Feeling growing tension with the Soviets, President Ronald Reagan steps up communications with Margaret Thatcher in Great Britain, as well as putting Military forces in Eastern Europe on heightened states of alert.

The Soviet Union, recently called an "Evil Empire" by Ronald Reagan, begins to fear that the United States will launch a preemptive nuclear attack on Soviet military, industrial and civilian targets. They see Reagan and Bush as "shoot from the hip" cowboys and refer to them as "reckless leaders". Yuri Andropov, ill in the hospital, concurs and sees the massive U.S. tightening of relations with NATO forces in Eastern Europe as a sure sign that something massive is about to occur.

On September 26, 1983, it's shortly after midnight in the Soviet Union. Under the command of Stanislav Petrov, a Soviet Air Defense tracking system indicates that a nuclear tipped Intercontinental Ballistic Missile has been launched by the United States on the Soviet Union. Petrov dismisses it. Suddenly, the computer shows four more ICBMs heading directly for the Soviet Union. Petrov calls his commander, who quickly relays this information throughout the ranks, including to Yuri Andropov. While Petrov and the ranking officials sit and try and come up with a decision of launching on the United States, Andropov decides to go to the highest ranking official in the United States, President Reagan himself.

It's still the afternoon of September 25th in the United States, and President Ronald Reagan is at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City, speaking with reporters regarding the cease-fire in Lebanon. Next to Reagan is Javier Perez de Cuellar de la Guerra, the Secretary General of the United Nations. Word comes in during the session by way of James Baker of a situation that is dire and requires the President's immediate attention. Reagan leaves the meeting, causing the media to frenzy as to where the President has gone to. Reagan is put in direct communications with Yuri Andropov in the Presidential Suite at the Waldorf-Astoria. Andropov, angry and agitated, asks Reagan why the U.S. wants to destroy the Soviet Union. Reagan, confused, asks what has provoked such emotion in him. Andropov responds by saying, "Our computers showed your missiles heading for us!" Reagan responds with "We have NOT, I repeat HAVE NOT, launched any missile anywhere." Andropov, agitated, disconnects the phone call from Reagan. Reagan and Baker immediately leave for Washington, D.C to hold a meeting with the National Security Council.

[Reaganfan]

Reagan meets with his staff at 6:00pm EDT to discuss the Soviet situation. Secretary of State George Shultz as well as Vice President George Bush weigh in on the situation, and begin to assume that the Soviet Union may be trying to provoke the United States to back down their forces in Western Europe. Reagan decides to strengthen them instead, and puts the U.S. Military on DEFCON 2, the highest since October 1962. The Soviets are also in a frenzy regarding the events, and decide to up their forces in Eastern Europe. Andropov speaks to his associates about "spreading the Soviet Union west", implying a push into ally zones in West Germany and perhaps as far west as France.

The following morning in the Soviet Union, the Soviets begin moving closer to the West Berlin checkpoint, and American forces begin a resistance. It's around 8:30pm EDT in Washington, D.C, and the media is in a frenzy regarding the President's quick departure earlier in the afternoon, and begins to suggest perhaps the Soviet actions in East Germany are to blame. Reagan asks for airtime on all networks at 9pm EDT for a quick speech from the Oval Office concerning the Soviet actions throughout the day.

At 9pm EDT, all networks and radio interrupt programming and break to the White House.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States

"My fellow Americans, a series of events have unfolded today that require the attention and concern of every American. This afternoon, a Soviet satellite in space inaccurately suggested that defensive, intercontenintal ballistic missiles were launched in a pre-emptive strike by the United States upon the Soviet Union. After a brief discussion with General Secretary Yuri Andropov, the situation regarding the inaccurate satellite has been clarified and has been resolved. However, recent actions by the Soviet Union in East Germany have been very troubling. The increased buildup of defenses near checkpoints in Berlin and an increased Soviet military presence in much of East Germany implies that the Soviet Union may be on their way to pushing the iron curtan West, into our allied countries. It shall be the policy of this administration, that any further military action by the Soviet Union in Germany or any other allied country, will be met with severe penalties. I ask all Americans tonight, to remain vigilant, and to pray for all those who love Freedom, Liberty and Democracy around the world. God Bless you all."

Following the speech, Americans find themselves deeply concerned with the growing international crisis. President Reagan asks Vice President Bush to travel to an undisclosed location, in the event of a full-scale nuclear attack. The media gets wind of this, and begins 24-7 Special Coverage of what they dub "The Soviet Crisis in Eastern Europe".

The following early morning, Reagan recieves word at the White House of what appears to be advancing Soviet Forces heading for West Germany. Within two hours, news breaks that Soviet forces have been heightened along three strategic points near the Fulda Gap, the North German Plain and the Danube River Valley in Austria. The Reagan administration begins to assume that the Soviets are preparing for a full scale invasion of West Germany.

[Reaganfan]

At 3:30am EDT, while asleep at the White House, President Reagan is awaken with the news that the Soviet Union has begun an invasion of West Germany. The first invasion begins in the least likely area of the Danube River Valley, followed by a simultaneous invasion of the North German Plain and the Fulda Gap. President Reagan opens up direct communications with Prime Minister Thatcher and concurs with Thatcher that retaliation using heavy weapon artillery against advancing Soviet troops should immediately begin. Allied forces begin resistance against Soviet forces in West Germany. The Soviets begin shooting air to ground missiles at U.S. and Allied Military installations in West Germany. The media reports around 4:15am EDT, that the Soviets have invaded West Berlin. Word soon comes in that the town of Fulda has been "obliterated" by Soviet attacks. Reagan assumes that Frankfurt is next, and puts the Military at full alert in preparation for an attack on Allied forces. At 5:00am EDT, Reagan, speaking in the White House briefing room, announces that he has put the United States Military on DEFCON 1 alert.

During an emergency meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his Security Council, President Reagan discusses the deteriorating relations with the Soviets and the actions within the last 18 hours and the invasion of West Germany. He is reassured by the council that while surrealistic, the Soviet Union has defied international law and is putting it's communist regime through West Germany. When Reagan asks "It's absurd and a direct violation." Secretary of State George Shultz says "They might head straight to the Atlantic" and Reagan replies, "My fear is that they will head further than that." The issue of using tactical nuclear weapons on Soviet troops is brought up during the discussion, to which Reagan strongly disagrees. Reagan states that if the United States uses nuclear weapons, the Soviets will retaliate with nuclear weapons, possibly escalating into a full-scale nuclear war.

The Soviet forces reach the Rhine in the German cities of Dusseldorf, Wiesbaden, Mannheim, Karlsruhe, and Duisburg. The Soviets begin tank and artillery attacks against NATO forces. The Soviets are also pushing forces through Southern Austria, towards Yugoslavia and Northern Italy. Reagan speaks in front of reporters at the White House at 12:30pm EDT and gives the latest status report.

"In a series of reckless and provocative moves, the Soviet Union has violated international law, and is now in heavy armed battle with our Allied Forces in West Germany. As of our latest reports, our Allied Forces have stopped the Soviet advance at the Rhine, while our forces in Italy as well as our allies in France and Great Britain continue to step up their efforts against the continued reckless behavior of this evil, unjust, despicable regime. I am in direct communications with the Vice President, Secretary of State, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as Prime Minister Thatcher, Prime Minister Craxi of Italy, and President Mitterrand of France, respectively. Let me be clear to all Americans and assure all our allies around the world: We will not allow the Soviet Union to blanket the west under their cloud of communist aggression, and we will stop at no lengths to end the devastating onslaught of this despicable regime."

Just then, Sam Donaldson, a reporter for ABC News, shouts out, "Does that mean nuclear weapons?" Reagan hawkishly looks back, hesitates, and walks off stage.

[Reaganfan]

As night begins to fall and midnight, September 27, 1983 approaches, heavy fighting continues in the countries of Germany, Belgium, and Northern Italy. Soviet forces have received heavy causalities fighting with Allied Forces, but have invaded Northern Italy and have been held off at the city of Milan, and have almost entirely invaded the Netherlands. Taking heavy causalities, Yuri Andropov declares that a tactical nuclear weapon be fired upon NATO headquarters in Brussels. Commanders, weary of Andropov in his weakened state, try to ask him to reconsider, for which he madly refuses. At 12:30am Soviet Time, late afternoon in Washington, the Soviet Union fires a tactical nuclear weapon at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The weapon malfunctions and air bursts six miles southwest of Brussels just outside of the city of Gaasbeek. News of the nuclear explosion is immediately given to President Reagan. Reagan almost simultaneously learns that Soviet troops have advanced through Strasbourg near the Rhine and are progressing towards the Moselle River and the city of Nancy. In direct communications with the French President, and reviewing the consequences of the Soviets pushing deep into the heart of France, Reagan immediately orders a tactical nuclear weapon to be air burst over the advancing Soviet troops in France. Within 10 minutes, a nuclear weapon is air burst over the advancing Soviet forces, obliterating their march into France.

[Reaganfan]

Over the next 12 hours, the battle continues. Fighting in Milan continues undisrupted, with heavy causalities on both sides. President Reagan, exhausted, tries to catch what little sleep he can as night falls. Around 3am EDT, Wednesday September 27th, Reagan is awakened and told that the Soviets have taken Milan. This is a crippling blow to Reagan, who, in a brief phone call to Italian Prime Minister Craxi, offers his support in stopping the Soviet forces before they get to Florence. Reagan also learns that the Soviet Union has invaded Denmark, and that battle forces are heightening alert for what they expect to be the battle of Copenhagen. Reagan meets with his Security Council at 5am EDT, and states that he fears that if Copenhagen is taken, the Soviets might get complete control of Denmark, and aim for Allied Finland and neutral Finland.

At 8:15am EDT, Reagan is giving a speech in the White House briefing room, when James Baker whispers in his ear. The mic picks up what Baker tells Reagan: "Copenhagen is gone." Reagan responds, "They took it?" to which Baker replies, "No...it's gone." The media begins a frenzy of questions such as "Have nuclear weapons been used in Denmark?" and "Has naval warfare begun in the Gulf?" Reagan quiets the reporters and responds with the news:

"I have just learned that the Soviet Union continues to use tactical nuclear weapons, first in Belgium, now in Denmark. I assure all Americans, we will not tolerate the Soviet Union, period. Ladies and Gentlemen, make no mistake about it...this IS World War III."

Reagan, looking angry, walks off stage.

Back with his Security Council, Secretary of Defense Weinberger puts the nuclear option on the table, telling Reagan that a full scale nuclear attack on the Soviet Union would be the quickest way to resolve the conflict. Reagan thinks for a minute and says that "if we launch our weapons, they launch theirs." Reagan calls Thatcher and tells her to prepare for the possibility of a Soviet invasion of Great Britain. Allied naval vessels are set up along the shores of Finland, Sweden, Great Britain, and France. The Soviets continue a slow progression through Eastern France, heavily hurt by the nuclear attack on their troops. The President of France calls President Reagan, and asks him to do "Anything at all" to stop the Soviets from progressing through France.

 

[Reaganfan]

That afternoon, President Reagan gets in touch with naval vessels off the coast of Italy, France and Great Britain. He tells them to use "extreme prejudice" to halt any Soviet ships heading for Allied land. Word comes in at 6:00pm EDT that evening to Ronald Reagan that Soviet submarines and Soviet ships have been spotted throughout the English channel, as well as in the Strait of Dover and the North Sea. The President corroborates with Margaret Thatcher that the Soviet invasion of Great Britain seems imminent, and that full scale naval warfare may be the only option in preventing Soviet domination of the United Kingdom. Thatcher agrees. Thatcher worries that now that Belgium is under Soviet control, the Soviets are less than 50 miles away from the coast of England, with Canterbury, Dover and other cities along the immediate coastline most at risk. Just then, a desperate call comes in from President Mitterrand of France. Mitterrand begs Reagan to stop the Soviet assault in France, saying that the Soviet troops have begun an invasion of Dijon and Orleans and that three new Soviet tank division has broke away and headed for Paris. Reagan and Mitterrand both agree that air bursting a nuclear weapon in a rural area outside of Paris over advancing Soviet troops might be the only way to save Paris from Soviet domination. Mitterrand pleads with Reagan that "France needs America's help." Reagan agrees that a low-yield nuclear bomb over the rural river area northwest of Troyes would decimate the Soviet troops heading for Orleans and Paris. Mitterrand agrees and decides to detonate two French nuclear weapon over advancing troops. The first bomb explodes shortly after 2am France time on Thursday September 28th, northwest of the city of Troyes near the town of Nogent-sur-Seine, eliminating three Soviet tank divisions that were headed to Paris. Soon after, France detonates a ground burst low-yield nuclear device over the town of Lorris, 20 miles east of Orleans, eliminating the Soviet advance.

The Soviets counter that by launching a nuclear missile directly at Orleans. Reagan and Mitterrand receive word of this. The missile will arrive in Orleans in two minutes. The Emergency Broadcast System is activated in the United States as well as France and the U.K. At 2:31am France time, a nuclear bomb with low yield detonates over the city of Orleans. Within three hours, air to ground missile strikes occur against civilian targets in Paris. The city is taken at 7:15am France time.

As night falls in Washington, D.C., Reagan looks over the current war situation. Soviet ships have invaded the islands of Corse and Sardegna, and are setting up battle positions. Troops have held off the Soviets in Florence, Italy, but a small division remains headed for Southern Italy and Rome. Reagan, in communication with Prime Minister Craxi, agrees to use everything they have to stop the Soviet moves through Italy. Reagan fears that from Corse, the Soviets could take control of Marseilles, Montpellier, Barcelona, Napoli and Rome. Reagan and Mitterrand order a full-scale invasion of Corse, to take out Soviet divisions and prevent the further push of Soviet domination.



Soviet invasions thus far:

[Reaganfan]

Corsica isn't Italian.

Sardegna is. Corse is French.

[Reaganfan]

Two days pass with little movement. It's Friday September 29, 1983 in Washington, D.C. American and world news agencies are covering the world war around the clock. Tom Brokaw, the brand new host of NBC Nightly News says, "Ladies and Gentlemen, while it may seem surrealistic to say this, you are watching NBC News Special Coverage of World War III." Reagan speaks to the nation at 9:00pm EDT that Friday night.

Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan:

"Good evening my fellow Americans. Much like the brave men who fought against German aggression in World War I, and the allied forces who fought heroically against the Nazis and Japanese empire during World War II, we again find ourselves today in yet another World War, encompassing at least six countries throughout the World, causing heartache and pain for many, and testing the will of others. At this time, our NATO allies in Europe are in a fierce battle with the brutal communist Soviet regime. The Soviet Union, defying all international law, has completed a massive takeover of our friends in Germany, Denmark, and has continued to precede through regions of France and Italy. At this time, NATO forces have ended the Soviet progression through Italy at Milan, however the Italian island of Sardegna has been taken. Soviet nuclear weapons have been used on the city of Orleans in France, Copenhagen in Denmark, and a nuclear bomb of low yield strength exploded near the city of Gaasbeek, outside of Brussels as a direct attempt at destroying regional NATO headquarters. I have been in direct communications with Prime Minister Thatcher, Prime Minister Craxi, President Mitterrand, General Secretary Andropov, as well as Prime Minister Schlüter of Denmark. I want to make clear to the American people and our allies around the world, we will stop at no lengths to end the Soviet expansion towards the west, and in the end, defeat this barbaric communist regime once and for all. I ask that Americans remain vigilant and go on with life as usual, but continue to closely monitor radio and television for news, listen for the Emergency Broadcast System and follow instructions. Make no mistake about it, as we have seen with the last two world wars, America and our allies will be victorious. Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless America."

[Reaganfan]

On Saturday, October 1, 1983, President Reagan wakes up and has breakfast with the National Security Council. Not wanting to waste a minute in developments in the war. Reagan learns that Andropov has been in direct communications for hours with a leader of a Western country. Reagan quickly calls Thatcher, to find out if Andropov has been communicating with her. He has not, and Reagan begins to assume that perhaps Andropov has been communicating directly with Soviet ships, preparing for an invasion of Britain. Reagan informs NATO allies that the Soviets prepare to be heading for a full scale invasion of Great Britain.

Indeed, that afternoon, Reagan receives a desperate call from Thatcher, saying that Soviet submarines and ships are closing in throughout the English Channel, and are positioning themselves for a three-pronged attack at Britain. The first Soviet advance occurs in Dover, met with heavy allied resistance. The second set of attack comes near the city of Southampton. The third invasion begins in Liverpool, with Soviet ships coming in from a 16 hour journey up St. George's Channel into the Irish sea. Increasing tensions build fear that NATO forces in Northern Ireland as well as the neutral Ireland may be at risk of attack or invasion. Soviet troops, having taken control of three areas of coastline, begin resisting NATO forces near Manchester, Southampton, and Canterbury. Thatcher fears London may not be far from the Soviet grasp.

Reagan receives word that Soviet submarines off the United States coasts are making tactical maneuvers which are likely designed to intimidate the United States. The Emergency Broadcast System is activated in the United States at 3:30pm EDT.

...EBS TONE...THIS IS THE EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM...THIS IS NOT A TEST...THIS IS A NATIONAL EMERGENCY...THIS NOTIFICATION HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES...

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES...

"My fellow citizens, just within the last few hours, Soviet forces have begun a three-pronged invasion of our NATO ally Great Britain. Attack and invasion points included the cities of Southampton, Dover and Liverpool. Early reports indicate heavy NATO losses in the nearby cities of Manchester, Canterbury, and Portsmouth. I have been in direct communication with Prime Minister Thatcher, as well as with President Hillery of Ireland. With the current Soviet situation, all NATO forces remain on DEFCON 1 alert, and heavy fighting continued unabated in the countries of France, Italy, Germany and Denmark. Make no mistake, our NATO allies will defeat the Soviets, and will regain the land which the brutal Soviet regime continues to conquer. I continue to ask that Americans remain vigilant, and keep our friends and allies abroad in your prayers. Thank you all."

At home, Reagan's approval rating has soared to near 90%, with nearly all Americans supporting NATO troop efforts. Polls indicate that a majority of Americans feel that full-scale nuclear war is imminent. Churches and Synagogues begin holding 24 hour confessions. While most Americans are praying for peace, most also prepare for war. That night, Reagan calls Vice President George Bush at the undisclosed location. Reagan tells Bush that he fears one of three outcomes may come out of the world war. One, that Soviet forces are overtaken by NATO troops and Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany are reclaimed. Two, Soviets try provocative moves near the United States mainland, perhaps even an invasion. Or three, a full-scale nuclear war takes place. President Reagan tells Bush that at least 180 million Americans will be killed within a few hours should that occur. Bush tells Reagan, "You will have the proper evacuations in the event of a launch." Reagan tells Bush, "With those submarines...we'd have less than five minutes. I won't make it to the bunker if that occurs, George." Reagan and Bush get off the phone, and Reagan tells the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "I fear if worst comes to worst, George Bush won't have much left to work with", implying that a nuclear attack by the Soviet Union would decimate the infrastructure of the country.

[Reaganfan]

On Sunday, October 2, 1983, Ronald Reagan awakens to receive word that Yuri Andropov still has been communicating with a Western country. With the invasion and battle in Britain continuing, Reagan and his advisers seem at a loss as to who that may be. The Government continues monitoring and intercepting Soviet radio messages, when word comes in involving the country of Cuba. Reagan immediately assumes the worst...that the Soviets are strengthening their military might in Cuba, perhaps even reinstating offensive weapons on the communist island for the first time since 1962, 21 years earlier. The Navy immediately informs the White House that Soviet ships have increased in the last 48 hours and are speeding towards the island nation of Cuba.  President Reagan carefully weighs his options, much like President John F. Kennedy did during the Cuba Missile Crisis in 1962. Either he can blockade the island and keep oncoming ships from entering, he can invade Cuba and try and overthrow the Communist Castro regime, or he can wait and see. With the ongoing war against NATO allies, Reagan decides the best course of action is to immediately begin a blockade of Cuba, and prepare for a full scale invasion of the island within 48 hours. The President also orders new aircraft surveillance of Cuba, to check for any weapon or missile sites that may have been set up under the nose of the United States and NATO allies.

In the meantime, fighting in France begins to lessen as NATO troops decimate large numbers of Soviet forces. In Italy, Soviet tank divisions have all but been decimated, and the fighting appears to be lessening. For the first time since the war began, some slight glimmers of hope begin to show. Reagan decides to address the nation that night from the Oval Office.

At 9pm EDT, President Reagan addresses the country, but does not disclose the Cuban situation as to not tip off the Soviets.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN:

"Good evening my fellow Americans. Tonight, as I speak to you, our NATO allies in France and Italy have proceeded to halt the Soviet advance in those countries. The Italian island of Sardegna has been retaken by NATO alliances, and the French island of Corse will likely be rightfully reclaimed within several hours. At this time, the Soviet line has been cut off in Italy between Ancona and Orbetello. The cities of Rome and Napoli are not under the Iron Curtain, and those cities in the Northern part of the country who have been taken by the Soviets will soon find Freedom once again in the hands of our NATO allies. In the country of France, the Soviet line has ended just outside of Paris, where nuclear weapons were used between France and the Soviet Union several days ago, resulting in the reported destruction of the cities of Orleans and Lorris, resulting in complete destruction of those cities, and the loss of thousands of innocent lives. Paris is no longer under Soviet rule, and the NATO advance will remove the country from Communist aggression in due time. NATO forces have also halted Soviet troops in Great Britain, with fighting currently occurring in Manchester, Liverpool, and various other cities in that country. Our allies in Northern Ireland, Norway and Turkey are on the fullest state of alert for possible Soviet attack or invasion. Nuclear weapons were used by the barbaric Soviets outside of Brussels in Belgium as a direct attempt at attacking regional NATO headquarters. Despite the Soviet takeover of that country, NATO headquarters, under heavy security, remains fully operational. Elsewhere, we must not forget about our friends in Denmark, where the Soviet invasion and nuclear attack on the city of Copenhagen has resulted in a massive loss of life, as well as the complete destruction of that city. I pledge to you, my fellow Americans, as well as our allies, that Freedom, Liberty and Democracy will prevail. Our NATO allies and those brave soldiers fighting for our freedom will halt and remove this Communist aggression, wherever in the World it may move. I have been in continual contact with Vice President Bush, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, our armed forces, leaders of our allied countries, as well as my national security council. Tonight I pledge this administrations full support to our friends and allies in Europe, to help halt this dominating and evil empire called the Soviet Union. Thank you, and God Bless America."

[Reaganfan]

New update coming soon

[Reaganfan]

October 12, 1983. 10 days after Ronald Reagan received word of the Cuban situation...chatter with the island has ceased. Since October 3rd, there has been no communication between the Soviet Union and the island nation of Cuba.

On October 7th, allied NATO forces reclaimed the cities of Plymouth, Southampton, Liverpool and Manchester, seeing the remaining Soviet armed divisions of Soviet ships turn away from Great Britain.

The Eastern Bloc has gained ground, however, in their iron curtain of domination. All of Germany is now occupied, as far west as Amiens, France. However, the region between Saint-Quentin to Haguenau back down to Bourges is no longer under Soviet occupation. President Reagan later finds out this is not a sign of Soviet withdrawal, but rather survival. The radiation near the decimated city of Orleans is so severe that Soviet forces pulled out immediately as it became clear that radiation sickness was occurring. This has left a giant gap in the Iron Curtain. The occupied territory is quickly dubbed "Paris" for the northern region, and "Lyon" for the Southern region. However, broadcast on Soviet Television is a map which shows the two "states" as "Poka" to the north and "Poka vsyo" to the south.

Italy has been occupied from the entire northern border down to the city of L'Aquila. The northern occupied territory has already been claimed by Soviet forces as "Stalin".

President Reagan, furious over the Soviet takeover of Western Europe, holds a meeting with his National Security Council to discuss the war. During the meeting, several options are laid on the table.

First option is that NATO forces accept the casualties of war and defeat in the newly occupied territory and consider it a victory for the Soviet Union. Reagan staunchly rejects such an option. The second option calls for an aggressive allied advance through France, and Italy, reclaiming the territories lost in the conflict. The third option calls for an ultimatum: "All Soviet forces stand down in occupied territories, or face tactical nuclear attack from NATO forces." Reagan weighs the second and third options. The obvious problem remains...if NATO forces use nuclear weapons once again, then the Soviets will once again use nuclear weapons. Reagan decides to take a wait and see stance on the war. In the meantime, Warsaw Pact forces seem puzzled as to why the Soviets decided to invade West Germany, France, Italy and Belgium instead of Turkey, which was a much more obvious target of attack. The consensus among the Reagan administration and NATO forces is that the Soviets made moves towards Turkey as a diversion for their invasion of Western Europe.

Back in America, Reagan maintains raging popularity as the war rages on. The 1984 Election begins with many Democrats who were already campaigning ending their campaigns. Major exceptions included Former Vice President Walter Mondale, Former Senator George McGovern and Senator Gary Hart. They all campaign on the issue of a "nuclear freeze", of which some factions of the Democratic Party oppose. However, by November 1983, liberal elements of the Democratic Party become more energized by this, and support grows for Senator Gary Hart and Senator George McGovern.

[Reaganfan]

By November 10, 1983, the war rages on. From day to day, there are various battles throughout Western Europe. The heaviest casualties occur in Eastern France, much of which has increased levels of radioactivity following the nuclear detonations two months prior.

Near Brussels, the city of Gaasbeek no longer exists. An estimated 5,000 people lost their lives following the tactical nuclear attack that missed NATO Headquarters. A 54 year old unidentified man took a photo of the Brussels skyline has the skies above lit up from the explosion. Two months later, ABC News obtained the photo and showed it on their broadcast.



The Denmark city of Copenhagen had by far the deadliest death toll. Reagan is told that exact figures will never be known, but that as many as 900,000 people were instantly killed by the detonation of the tactical nuclear warhead on September 28, 1983. Soviet television broadcasts video footage of the city of Copenhagen, which is subsequently screened by the Reagan administration and then broadcast on American news.

Copenhagen - Prior to nuclear attack:

Copenhagen - 1983:
 

Nogent-sur-Seine received a large-kiloton NATO warhead that was estimated to have killed tens of thousands of Soviet troops, halting their advance through Eastern France on September 28, 1983. Allied losses and civilian losses were thankfully less than anticipated. The French attack on Soviet forces soon-after resulted in complete decimation of the commune of Lorris in north-central France, resulting in the estimated deaths of nearly all of the 2,000 population.

The Soviet nuclear attack on Orleans was, by all accounts, catastrophic. At least 70,000 people are estimated to have been killed as the bomb air-burst directly over the city. No video or photographs have been seen of Orleans since the attack, and no survivors or signs of life have come from the city.

America and it's allies are rallied behind Reagan, Thatcher, and other NATO forces as 1983 America sees a resurgence of patriotism, and anti-communism. Late night television stations in the United States, not signing off but briefly ending live coverage of the war, air 1950s civil defense cartoons. Schoolchildren across America routinely practice Air Raid drills. Fallout shelters across America are being revamped and built, as Americans cautiously await war.

[Reaganfan]

On November 20, 1983, ABC airs the made-for-TV film, "The Day After", a provocative drama featuring the effects of an all-out nuclear war with the Soviet Union and the effects on Kansas City, MO and Lawrence, KS. The film is viewed by millions across America, and sends chills down many people's spines as the initial nuclear exchange in Europe is eerily similar to what has occurred in the real world in 1983. Reagan administration officials lobbied hard to try and cease the broadcast to no avail, allowing ABC to air the film. Reagan, who watched a personal screening of the film, was left depressed and had a new found fear of nuclear war.

Reagan, knowing the Soviets are on edge and clarifying that with word coming in of even more increasing Soviet tension during October's invasion of Grenada, realizes that the Soviet Union may be on the verge of initiating a preemptive nuclear attack on Western Europe and the United States.

December 21, 1983. The world awaits what is being called a possible "showdown" between the two superpowers in Western Europe.

The city of Paris, under Soviet domination, is described by those close to foreign administration officials as a "top priority", and the city of L'Aquila in Italy is also seen as "high priority". The Reagan administration is also closely following the activity of Soviet battleships and submarines, weary of a possible first strike.

Later that afternoon, Ronald Reagan meets with his advisers and Pentagon officials to discuss the SIOP, the Single Integrated Operations Plan of what would occur between the United States and the Soviet Union in the event of a nuclear war.

First, Reagan is told that at least 150 million Americans would be killed immediately or shortly following a full scale nuclear attack. It is thought that missiles launched from Soviet submarines would be the first to impact the United States, including cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, Anchorage, Atlantic City, New York and Washington, D.C. Millions of Americans would be instantly killed within five minutes of the launches. To make matters worse, early warning radar stations and Military bases would surely be targets of ground bursts from Soviet thermonuclear bombs, destroying the United States' capability to respond. If the President was in Washington, D.C. when word of a launch came, Reagan would have only five minutes to order retaliation and have himself evacuated by helicopter to Mount Weather.

To add insult to injury, the President also learns that intelligence indications that the Soviet Union's ICBMs have a deadly catch to them. MIRVs, holding up to 10 warheads, which can dispatch multiple warheads from the missile to different select targets, have plans to drop a single nuclear warhead on American cities every 90 seconds until the cities have been struck three times. This would mean that within five minutes, three nuclear ground bursts or air bursts would strike the same city. A city like New York would be completely decimated. No remaining buildings, structures, and almost certainly the annihilation of millions upon millions of people in an instant of detonation.

Reagan, distressed, asks the Joint Chiefs of Staff to give him some news on United State's retaliation options. The Joint Chiefs of Staff lay out three scenarios following a Soviet first-strike.

1. The United States and NATO forces launch all Trident, Minuteman, Titan, and Pershing missiles from silos in the United States, submarines, and from launch sites in Europe. First attacks annihilate Moscow, possibly most of the KGB, Politburo, and Kremlin leadership. Andropov himself would most likely be killed. Reagan, Bush and other leaders are successfully evacuated, the Emergency Broadcast System is activated in the United States telling residents to seek shelter immediately and await word from President Reagan. The Soviet attack strikes the United States within 5-10 minutes of submarine launches off the East and West coasts, and the Soviet ICBM launch reaches the United States within roughly 30 minutes time. Military, Industrial and Urban targets are struck with air-burst and ground burst nuclear weapons. However, the Soviet Union is shortly thereafter also struck by the United States and NATO nuclear attack, suffering equal or greater catastrophic damage.

2. The United States loses Military bases, radar warning systems, and many missile silos in the first preemptive attack, thus reducing the amount of retaliation upon the Soviet Union, putting them at greater strength.

3. The third option shows that if a preemptive attack occurs at a time when the President is asleep or incommunicado, the Soviet Union could, to a great extent, destroy almost all of the United States and NATO retaliation options, leaving the possibility of Reagan agreeing to Soviet cease-fire terms and possible surrender.

This scenario catches Reagan's attention. He asks the Joint Chiefs what a surrender would be like. They state that if the Soviet Union targeted only Military and Industrial targets, and the United States had very little capacity to retaliate, the Soviet leadership, including KGB officials, may give an ultimatum to the United States: Stand-down and surrender or ICBMs destroy your cities. More or less, Soviet Domination of the United States. KGB heads of state would be in charge of dictation in the United States, and Soviet Military personnel in vessels and submarines off the United States coastlines would come in port and take command at key Soviet military points.

While unlikely, Reagan shudders at the thought of the United States falling under the Iron Curtain. At the same time, the other option would be full-scale nuclear war and annihilation of most of America.

[Reaganfan]

UPDATE COMING SOON

[Reaganfan]

I'm undecided as to where to take this story.

Option 1: The 1984 election as tactical and conventional war continues.
Option 2: Full scale nuclear war and the aftermath.

[Reaganfan]

Around 12am, Thursday, December 22, 1983, President Reagan calls Prime Minister Thatcher and discusses the impending battle to force out the Soviet occupation of Eastern France and Northern Italy. The plan calls for NATO forces to use heavy artillery fire against Soviet troops and Soviet tanks, and use air to ground missiles against Soviet munitions facilities and Soviet checkpoints.

The first attack begins that morning in the Soviet occupied territory of Stalin, in Northern Italy near the city of L'Aquila. NATO forces deliver a crippling blow to Soviet Troops outside the Soviet checkpoint and begin an advance northward. Reports come in that hundreds of Soviet troops were killed during the Battle of L'Aguila, and that NATO losses were surprisingly low. Reagan worries that the Soviets may retaliate against the United States if Soviet losses continue to be significant. Similar losses are inflicted on the Soviets in the city of Paris, where heavy fighting also results in the loss of hundreds of NATO forces. Soviet MIGs take out several NATO stations setup along the France/Soviet border of Luxembourg and Strasbourg. The United States retaliates by taking out Soviet artillery divisions setup near Reims, Stuttgart, and Wiesbaden.

Around 8pm EST on December 22, 1983, President Reagan is told by his National Security team that it would be in the best interests of the nation for him to be moved to a secure facility, in the event of a Soviet launch. Reagan initially refuses, but Secret Service agents finally convince him that it would be for the best.

Reagan is taken to Mount Weather, a secure location outside of Washington, D.C. Vice President George Bush and Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill are also in attendance. The mood is bleak. Rumors are abound that Yuri Andropov has begun ordering high-level Soviet officers and officials to evacuate to underground facilities in the Soviet Union. Vice President Bush believes that "cooler heads will prevail" and that this is a sign that the Soviets are more afraid of the United States than we are of them. President Reagan is skeptical. Andropov and many high-level KGB officials and men throughout the Kremlin are said to hold quite a bit of animosity towards the United States, NATO, and the Reagan administration itself.

Reagan and Bush hold a private meeting in an office within the Mount Weather Complex. Reagan tells Bush that he has made the decision to fly Air Force One to NORAD in Colorado Springs. In the event of a Soviet launch, NORAD is far more secure than Mount Weather. He also informs Bush that many other high-level Government officials have been evacuated to "various places of secret" that only Reagan has been made aware of. He asks Vice President Bush to remain at Mount Weather. Bush fully supports the decision. Reagan tells Bush, "If they get me George, if they kill me...America MUST go on. Promise me you'll assure that happens. Promise me, George." Vice President Bush, taken back by the statement, tells the President that he "wouldn't have it any other way."

Ronald Reagan flies from Marine One to Andrews Air Force Base, and boards Air Force One for Colorado Springs. George Bush remains at the Mount Weather complex along with several other high ranking Government officials. The United States remains at DEFCON 2 alert.

[Reaganfan]

On Friday, December 23, 1983, Ronald Reagan awakens in the NORAD command buried within Cheyenne Mountain. Around 7:30am, he learns that overnight, heavy fighting has continued between NATO and Warsaw Pact forces within areas of Western Germany, Eastern France, and Northern Italy. Reagan contacts Prime Minister Thatcher, who has also been moved to a secure location in the U.K. Reagan informs Thatcher that the Pershing II missile sites throughout Europe may or may not be on the list of possible Soviet attack areas due to their recent deployments, but tells her that they are on tactical alert and stand-by. Thatcher and Reagan share a private conversations and continue to hope for peace in Europe.

At 10:42am EST, the President learns that the Soviets have air burst four low-kiloton nuclear weapons over NATO troops in  Northern Italy and Western Germany. NATO losses are said to be "horrendous". Approximately 10 minutes later, Reagan receives word from the Strategic Air Command that Soviet fighters are nearing U.S. Air Space in Alaska and also are in flight over Central France towards the United Kingdom.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, John Vassey, informs Reagan that the Soviet Union may be preparing to launch a full scale nuclear attack. The United States enacts the "Launch on Warning" policy, that if the Soviet Union is preparing to launch, America will do the same.

At 11am EST, President Reagan activates the Emergency Broadcast System in the United States. The message alerts all residents in the United States to immediately take shelter in local and municipal fallout shelters in areas nearest to them. Schools across America begin Air Raid drills, moving students into basements and in the "duck and cover" positions.

Reagan decides the best option, quite possibly the only option, to avoid a nuclear war is to get in direct contact with Yuri Andropov himself. The hot-line is connected at 11:10am EST, and he begins a translated conversation with Andropov, who is audibility distressed and angry.

Reagan: General Secretary, we have no wish for war.
Andropov: We Soviets shall not withdrawal from our alert readiness until the Americans remove themselves from Germany and retract their aggression in the rest of Soviet Europe and withdraw your Pershing missiles.
Reagan: Mr. Secretary, we will not permit Soviet domination of Western Europe. Until the Soviet Union withdraws back to the lines of the limitations subscribed by the Warsaw Pact, we cannot withdraw.
Andropov: Then I fear us...we...our countries will go to war.
Reagan: Mr. Secretary, neither you nor I wish for war. We Americans, as I'm sure you Soviets, only wish for Peace.
LINE IS SILENT FOR 15 SECONDS
Andropov: You wish for war, Mr President?
Reagan: I wish for peace, Mr. Secretary.
Andropov: (ANGRY) Then you MUST withdraw your forces at once.
Reagan: We cannot do that, Mr. Secretary. Not until-

LINE GOES DEAD.

Reagan, taken back by the conversation looks at General Vassey. "Take us to DEFCON 1." The President walks to a group of nearby Secret Service agents. "Where are my wife and children?" The Secret Service informs the President that they are in a secure location.

Reagan decides to address the nation at 12:00pm EST on the current events unfolding. Reagan and General Vassey walk inside the command center at NORAD. Those in the command center stop and look at Reagan. "All of you are doing a fine job, keep up the good work." Reagan says to them. They continue work. Vassey begins informing Reagan that the Strategic Air Command went to DEFCON 1 as soon as word was received of the Soviet nuclear attacks on NATO forces, but that now all forces worldwide are at DEFCON 1. As he and Reagan are speaking, a warning siren begins blaring inside the Command Center. The words "Missile Attack" light up the screen as small missile icons begin ascending up from the Soviet Union. General Vassey shouts to an officer in the center, "Is this for real?" The Captain responds, "General sir, we have confirmation of eight, I repeat, eight, ICBMs launched from the U.S.S.R." Reagan says to the Captain, "Eight missiles?" The Captain responds, "Now ten...thirteen missile launches, sir." Reagan tells Vassey that he must immediately order a full-scale nuclear attack on the Soviet Union.

At 11:32am EST, General Bennie L. Davis, head of the Strategic Air Command, receives the order from President Ronald Reagan to launch a full-scale nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. Within five minutes, hundreds of Minuteman and Titan missiles are launched from their Midwest Silos, as well as MRBMs and SRBMs from submarines. As Reagan is being swiftly moved to a secure area within the complex by Secret Service, he overhears the Captain, "Counting over 400 missiles, time on targets, roughly 23 minutes until initial impacts."

Reagan again activates the Emergency Broadcast System, which informs residents of the United States to take cover in shelter immediately, and that an attack in imminent.

At 11:41am EST, Reagan reaches Vice President Bush on telephone, informing him of the Soviet attack and the U.S. counterattack. Bush asks Reagan about his communications with Moscow. Reagan soberly replies, "In about 25 minutes, there will be no more Moscow."

[Reaganfan]

At 11:55am, EST on Friday morning, December 23, 1983, the first Soviet ICBMs reach the United States. The first detonation occurs in the heart of downtown Seattle, Washington. The second at the Airbase just outside of Great Falls, Montana. Then Minot, North Dakota. Then Grand Forks. Then Duluth. Portland, Boston, New York, Newark, Worcester, Providence, Washington, Arlington...virtually every major city in the United States is struck with a single warhead of atleast 10 megatons.

President Reagan, in an underground region of NORAD, behind a secure 25-ton steel door, embedded within Cheyenne Mountain and protected from nuclear fallout, hears and feels the explosion and shockwave of a warhead that detonates four miles from where he is standing.

General James V. Hartinger, Commander of NORAD reports to Reagan that communications are gone between NORAD and the Early Ballistic Missile Warning System in England, as well as  the reported destruction of Thule Air Base in Greenland. Reagan is also made aware that Paris, London, and Manchester have lost their downlinks, implying that Soviet warheads have destroyed those cities as well.

Within five minutes time, American ICBM impacts begin striking Soviet targets. The first city struck is Murmansk. Within minutes, reports come in that Berlin, Warsaw, Moscow, Minsk, and much of the Warsaw Pact has been impacted.

Reagan is anxious as to whether or not Yuri Andropov has survived. If he has indeed survived, then there could be the opening for a cease-fire. However, if Andropov is dead, then either the Soviet Union has no leader, or surviving KGB hardliners could continue fighting by whatever means they have left.

The Soviet attack ceases at 12:17pm EST, as the final warhead detonates over New Orleans, Louisiana. The American attack ceases several minutes later.

President Reagan decides to find out as much information as he can on the full scope of the destruction, and then try to get into contact with other leaders, including Yuri Andropov, Margaret Thatcher and George Bush.

[Reaganfan]

[Reaganfan]

Around 3pm EST, 12pm PST, Ronald Reagan calls the Commander of NORAD, General Hartinger and General Vessey into a private room. Reagan, "General Hartinger, what I am about to share with you is, well, top secret...although I suppose now it can be made known to a select few, among which you are. During the Presidency of Dwight Eisenhower, a secret plan to continue the functions of Government in the event of a nuclear war was implemented. This shadow government began in 1954, and is based all around the country. It almost fell-through during the Johnson administration, only to be reimplemented under Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. It was scheduled to be expanded in 1984, but obviously, that won't be happening now.  Our constitution, our banking systems, our defense, and yes, our leadership is fully functioning despite Washington, New York and our Military bases being gone."

General Hartinger responds, "Mr. President...what are you saying?"

Reagan says, "What I'm saying is that COG is in effect. General Vessey, I want to speak to Division Leader #1."

Unknown to anyone, except Ronald Reagan, George Bush, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a select few of Reagan's top administration officials, in the event of a war with the Soviet Union, the United States is divided into divisions. These unofficial borders allow the shadow Government to function and carry out recovery and reconstruction efforts within the affected regions.

The leaders of these division regions were carefully selected  and have terms that are renewed or succeeded. Some of these leaders are elected officials, others are not, but their experience and suggested qualifications led to their selection. The political affiliation of these division leaders was considered irrelevant during selection. Each division has one official director and three deputy directors.



DIVISION 1 LEADERSHIP
Robert McNamara (Sec of Def under Kennedy, Johnson) - DIRECTOR
John Glenn (Marine Corps Pilot, Astronaut, Senator) - DEPT. DIRECTOR
John Warner (Sec of Navy, Senator) - DEPT. DIRECTOR
Richard Schweiker (Senator, Sec of HHS under Reagan) - DEPT. DIRECTOR

DIVISION 2 LEADERSHIP
Henry Kissinger (Sec of State under Nixon, Ford) - DIRECTOR
Ted Kennedy (Senator) - DEPT. DIRECTOR
Rudy Giuliani (Associate Attorney General under Reagan) - DEPT. DIRECTOR
Lee Hamilton (Congressman from Indiana since 1965) - DEPT. DIRECTOR

DIVISION 3 LEADERSHIP
Walter Mondale (Senator, Vice President of U.S. under Carter) - DIRECTOR
Robert A. Lovett (Sec of Def under Truman) - DEPT. DIRECTOR
Gerald Ford (Congressman, Vice President, President 1974-1977) - DEPT. DIRECTOR
Robert Bergland (Congressman, Sec of Agriculture under Carter) - DEPT. DIRECTOR

DIVISION 4 LEADERSHIP
Richard Nixon (Congressman, Senator, Vice President, President 1969-1974) - DIRECTOR
Barry Goldwater (Senator) - DEPT. DIRECTOR
Tom Foley (Congressman) - DEPT. DIRECTOR
William Rehnquist (Associate Justice of Supreme Court since 1972) - DEPT. DIRECTOR

DIVISION 5 LEADERSHIP
Donald Rumsfeld (Congressman, U.S. Rep to NATO, WH Chief of Staff, Sec of Def under Ford) - DIRECTOR
Lloyd Bentsen (Congressman, Senator) - DEPT. DIRECTOR
Jimmy Carter (Gov of Georgia, President 1977-1981) - DEPT. DIRECTOR
John Tower (Senator) - DEPT. DIRECTOR

[Reaganfan]

I love it! However, I don't see Detroit on that list...

There is no more Detroit.

[Reaganfan]

Reagan is connected through a secure video-teleconference with Robert McNamara.

"Mr. President, do you have audio visual?" McNamara asks Reagan. "Yes I do, Bob...tell me what you know." "Well sir, right now I can tell you we have confirmation that the following cities have been decimated in the attack; Washington, where we confirmed two detonations of 30 megaton warheads, one which was airburst above Capitol Hill, the other which was ground-burst at the Pentagon in Arlington. Our current estimate shows roughly 1 million in immediate deaths in Washington, Arlington and the surrounding areas."

"Dear God..." Reagan somberly responds. McNamara continues, "Mr. President, I should also tell you that Soviet MIRVs were extremely effective in this attack. Philadelphia was struck by three ground bursts of no less than 50 megatons every 90 seconds during the attack. Preliminary reports put losses at around 3 million, in downtown and the surrounding areas. We see that about 40 nautical miles around downtown are completely gone, with catastrophic damage in the areas surrounding the blast zone."

"What kind of recovery forces do we have in the area?" Reagan asks. "Sir, right now our COG recovery forces have dispatched teams to areas outside of the blast zone. We assume no persons within the 40 mile radius around Washington, Arlington or Philadelphia have survived, and if they have, the total radioactivity will not allow them to survive for more than 36 hours, and that is in the very best scenario, sir." McNamara replies.

Communications are extremely difficult, as Reagan notes that the EMP effect in the blast regions has severely disrupted communications. He soon gets in contact with Division #2 around 6pm EST.

"Dr. Kissinger, are you there?" Reagan asks. "Yes, Mr. President, I'm reporting from Division 2 Headquarters. New York City is completely gone, sir. The blasts, and that is blasts as in plural, took out everything from Brooklyn to Hempstead to Manhattan and White Plains. We estimate atleast seven detonations, including the first airburst over the Empire State Building, sir. Total losses atleast 10 million...atleast, Mr. President." Kissinger, responds. "How about the other affected regions?" Reagan asks. "Sir, right now we know that Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Boston, Concord, Indianapolis, Chicago and Detroit were hit as well sir, total losses in Division 2 total no less than 30 million, sir."

Reagan breaks into tears.

[Reaganfan]

I must note a few things.

#1. It's scary how realistic and easy this scenario was to lead to a full scale nuclear war. In 1983 relations between the two superpowers were at an all-time low, Yuri Andropov and members of the Politburo leadership were old, frail, and were focused on the 1941 surprise German attack, and saw Reagan as a reckless man who would no doubt strike first.

#2. It's scary how difficult it is to continue the United States in this scenario, not specifically due to the actual decimated cities or horrendous loss of life, but the fact that Soviet warheads were probably even more powerful than shown in this what-if and radiation would take thousands of years to get down to normal levels.

[Reaganfan]

Christmas morning, December 25, 1983. Ronald Reagan begins this Sunday morning with prayer, and prepares to make his first radio address since the war. Through discussions with President Nixon, Dr. Kissinger, Vice President Mondale, Secretary McNamara and Secretary Rumsfeld, Reagan has come to terms with the toll on human life and infrastructure. The NORAD command bunker has it set up so that the President will be heard on every radio frequency in the United States, and will direct instructions through the Emergency Broadcast Band.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States:

My fellow Americans, as we remember the birth of Christ on this Christmas morning, we realize that the past two days have brought a catastrophic series of events upon the world. In a conflict that began over 35 years ago, what many had feared has tragically come to pass. The Soviet Union, acting in it's own self-interest, used tactical nuclear weapons on our allies in Western Europe. Their domination and oppression has come to a halt, however, but not without paying a price. When the Soviet missiles struck our country two days ago, I authorized our Military to retaliate. At this time, I have received confirmation that the city of Moscow has been destroyed. The bomb that struck Moscow also destroyed a medical facility where Soviet Premier Yuri Andropov was located. We have received confirmation that Andropov was killed in that attack. We can also report that anti-KGB up-risers have ceased control of the leadership of the Soviet Union, and they have conferred through us, that they wish to have a ceasefire and rebuild our countries and our relationship with one another.

Of course, all of this comes with a very heavy burden. The bombs that struck our country hit several locations in almost every region. The majority of the attacks were on our civilian population targets, while much of our Military complex was spared. New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C, however, were not. Millions were lost, and perished... along with those great cities.

So now the question is, what do we do? How do we go on? Our government remains fully functional, and in command of national and international events. We are coordinating relief efforts in every sector of the United States. Radiation levels in every sector of our country are far too high to expose the human body to at this time. I have instructed hour by hour radioactivity updates on the Emergency Broadcast System band and when levels in your sector become safe enough, recovery teams will have Emergency shelters and relief efforts set up in your vicinity.

Make no mistake, the United States will go on, stronger, prouder, freer than we have ever been. I know it's difficult to understand but, sometimes painful things like this happen. Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue.

The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. Thank you, God Bless You, and God Bless the United States of America.

-Ronald Reagan, December 25, 1983 address on nuclear war.