ABSTRACT
Most Western writers are agreed that in a conventional war between nuclear powers the troops must be deployed as if they were fighting a nuclear war. Deployment would have to guard against the sudden introduction of nuclear weapons. It is fundamental rule of nuclear warfare that concentrations must be avoided as far as that is possible, but, says Professor Kissinger, ‘the side relying on conventional weapons must remain concentrated in order to have the firepower necessary for defence.’ As far as the attacker is concerned, he will concentrate his forces immediately before the attack. The assembly areas for the airborne portion of the armoured and motorized troops can be dispersed and they can be located at a considerable distance from the front. In such a deployment the most forward elements would be those that remain behind to meet an enemy counter-attack and secure the area. Their deployment and that of the artillery would be similar to that of the defence.
