Home  /  Information  /  Podcasts  /  Episodes  /  Raising a Wall

Raising a Wall

During the Cold War, tensions over the status of West Berlin never ceased to worry western leaders. Between 1958 and 1961, tensions increased and it seemed that Europe would soon be dragged into another war. The United States, Britain and France started to work on secret contingency plans for the defence of West Berlin. The codename was LIVE OAK. 

In this episode, we speak about how SACEUR General Norstad prepared for the defence of West Berlin. We also discuss how the crisis in Berlin put into question NATO’s nuclear posture and opened discussions about a new, ‘flexible’ nuclear response.  

HOSTS: Dr Stella Adorf, Master Sergeant Alex Burnett, Dr Linda Risso

GUESTS: Colonel Adam Edmunds, Diego Ruiz Palmer, Dr Gregory Pedlow

SOURCES: