"October Fury" ON TOPIC

[Bill Kambic]

I am reading a book entitled "October Fury" by CAPT Peter A. Huchthausen,
USN (Ret.). In October, 1962 he was a JO stationed aboard USS BLANDY
(DD-943), part of Task Group Alpha built around USS RANDOLPH (CVS-15). He
participated, up close and personal, in the Cuban Missle Crisis. He later
went on to be an analyst and specialist in Soviet naval issues.

While CAPT H. is a skimmer, he gives a good account, so far, of the actions
of NAVAIR units (mostly P2, P3, and Hunter-Killer Group assests) during the
Crisis.

Particularly interesting is his interviewing of many former Soviet naval
officers and men who manned diesel boats deployed in support of Soviet
operations. He gives a graphic illustration of life on a Soviet sub. They
really did fear our airborne ASW forces (particularly the P3, due to its
long range and high endurance).

One of the REALLY scary things that most folks don't know is that the
Soviets deployed in excess of 100 tactical nukes to Cuba and the Soviet
commander had authority to use them to oppose any U.S. landing operations
WITHOUT the specific authority of Moscow. Soviet submarines deployed with
nuclear tipped torpedos also had authority to use them if specific tactical
conditions were met.

I'm about 1/3 through, but even at this early juncture I would commend it to
anyone with an interest in naval operations (air and surface) during that
period. When I finish I will report further! ;-)

Bill Kambic

Mangalarga Marchador: Uma raça, uma paixão

[Matt Wiser]

"Bill Kambic" > wrote:
>I am reading a book entitled "October Fury"
>by CAPT Peter A. Huchthausen,
>USN (Ret.). In October, 1962 he was a JO stationed
>aboard USS BLANDY
>(DD-943), part of Task Group Alpha built around
>USS RANDOLPH (CVS-15). He
>participated, up close and personal, in the
>Cuban Missle Crisis. He later
>went on to be an analyst and specialist in Soviet
>naval issues.
>
>While CAPT H. is a skimmer, he gives a good
>account, so far, of the actions
>of NAVAIR units (mostly P2, P3, and Hunter-Killer
>Group assests) during the
>Crisis.
>
>Particularly interesting is his interviewing
>of many former Soviet naval
>officers and men who manned diesel boats deployed
>in support of Soviet
>operations. He gives a graphic illustration
>of life on a Soviet sub. They
>really did fear our airborne ASW forces (particularly
>the P3, due to its
>long range and high endurance).
>
>One of the REALLY scary things that most folks
>don't know is that the
>Soviets deployed in excess of 100 tactical nukes
>to Cuba and the Soviet
>commander had authority to use them to oppose
>any U.S. landing operations
>WITHOUT the specific authority of Moscow. Soviet
>submarines deployed with
>nuclear tipped torpedos also had authority to
>use them if specific tactical
>conditions were met.
>
>I'm about 1/3 through, but even at this early
>juncture I would commend it to
>anyone with an interest in naval operations
>(air and surface) during that
>period. When I finish I will report further!
>;-)
>
>Bill Kambic
>
>Mangalarga Marchador: Uma raça, uma paixão
>
>
>
I've read the book; it's excellent. One thing about the tac nukes in Cuba:
According to then-Col. Anatoly Gribkov, who was in Cuba as a General Staff
observer, a message was sent from Moscow to Soviet Forces Cuba REVOKING the
authority to use the tactical nukes on October 22, just before JFK gave his
speech announcing the presence of the missiles and the blockade. The order
was reemphasized on October 27th and in both cases the Soviet Command in
Cuba had to adknowledge the messages. If the invasion did go in, the weapons
were to be rendered inoperative. No launch without permission from Moscow
(read: Khruschev).

Posted via www.My-Newsgroups.com - web to news gateway for usenet access!

[Bill Kambic]

I finished the book last night. A good read.

I caught what I thought were a few major errors when he was discussing some
of the equipment and tactics, but then wondered if he was not engaging in
either "misinformation" or maybe the items in question are still classified
and he was doing a "work around." None were particularly relevant to the
story, so it's not a "Big Deal."

It was particularly interesting that the Russian COs were able to use
sloppy, American RT proceedure to their advantage. We were taught that this
was so, but it's nice to see confirmation.

Regarding the NUKES, I was unaware of the revocation of nuclear weapons use
authority to the shore units. No such order was given to the subs and at
least one of them flooded tubes and was working a firing solution on
non-special torpedos. One wonders what might have happened if an over-eager
TM or weapons officer "goofed" (a la "The Beford Incident").

All in all, I highly recommend the book as a pretty accurate look at
integrated ASW ops during the '60s.

On a personal note, I did my 1c Midshipman Cruise on board BLANDY in the
Summer of '67. It was a "good deal" as the Captain enouraged the middies
standing JOOD to perform like real officers, including some time conning the
ship on station (under, of course, some rather close supervision). I was
lucky and stood watch with a pretty laid back LT who allowed my to make some
mistakes. :-) My running mate drew a Black Bean and stood with a REAL
"sweater."

It was a good ship and the Wardroom was pretty friendly. Still, the overall
"suffiness" made me more convinced than ever that I really did not want to
be 'Shoe. :-)

Bill Kambic

Mangalarga Marchador: Uma raça, uma paixão