Learning to love the bomb: The command and control of British nuclear forces, 1953–1964

Abstract

The command and control of nuclear forces has emerged as an important concern in strategic studies. Yet the study of British command and control has been sparse. This article provides the first archive‐based outline of the development of command and control of British nuclear forces in the period 1945–64. It examines the British response to the emerging Soviet ballistic missile threat: by appointing a designated deputy Prime Minister with the authority to launch Britain's nuclear forces; by establishing an alternate government headquarters outside London for authorising nuclear retaliation; and by delegating nuclear authority to the military. This article documents for the first time how nuclear release authority was delegated to Bomber Command, in the event of a Soviet nuclear attack and the destruction of Britain's political leadership.