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Official Histories of NATO naval commands?

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2022 6:40 pm
by GeneralVikus
Hey guys,

Like many people here, I'm interested in learning about the history of naval strategy and tactics of the Cold War era. Recently I've been reading the SHAPE official history on the NATO website, and found it to be just about the best source out there for a high level overview of military strategy in general, as well as the duller but always prolific bureaucratic history, during the period in question. Curiously, though, the SHAPE official history as found on the NATO website only seems to cover up to 1957 (it seems odd that 1958 onward would still be classified, if it exists, but I'm guessing it just isn't online) and there is nothing at all for ACLANT. Does anyone know where I can find official histories for ACLANT, or any of the numbered US fleets, or really any good historical sources, official or not, comparable to the SHAPE official history? That is, covering strategy, operational plans, and tactical doctrine of a large command in a defined period; to put it another way, I'm not looking to read anything about Mahan, or about the minute technical details of equipment.

Re: Official Histories of NATO naval commands?

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2022 7:49 pm
by HalfLifeExpert
It's not really "Official", but I did recently finish this book:

Seapower in the Nuclear Age: The United States Navy and NATO 1949-80 by Joel Sokolsky

https://www.amazon.com/Seapower-Nuclear ... 8&me=&qid=

(I Read an original Naval Institute Press Hardcover edition, so I don't know if this Routledge one has any differences)

It covers the period of the Cold War from the founding of NATO through the dawn of the Reagan Era. Perhaps this could provide you with the info you are looking for?

Re: Official Histories of NATO naval commands?

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2022 2:58 pm
by GeneralVikus
Looks good, I'll check it out, thanks!

Re: Official Histories of NATO naval commands?

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2022 3:22 pm
by CV60
Look at Oceans ventured : winning the Cold War at sea. New York: W. W. Norton. 2018. by John Lehman for some info on the 1980-1985 USN and its strategy

Re: Official Histories of NATO naval commands?

Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2022 11:47 am
by GeneralVikus
Sou
CV60 wrote: Fri Oct 07, 2022 3:22 pm Look at Oceans ventured : winning the Cold War at sea. New York: W. W. Norton. 2018. by John Lehman for some info on the 1980-1985 USN and its strategy
Sounds like a guy who'd know what he's talking about, thanks!