Project 3
For english I took notes on a documentary that my teacher recommended. Then I took that information and wrote letters from the Kennedy brothers about the big issues.
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For history I took notes on a documentary that my teacher recommended. Then I took that information and made a timeline of the big events.
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Defcon 2 Notes
- October 1962 is when we strategic air command moved to DEFCON 2.
- Castro mobilized everyone he could for the invasion including men women and children.
- April 1962 Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev walks along the black sea and sees turkey where the united states stationed nuclear missiles and decide to do the same with Cuba.
- The united states were surrounding the soviet union with missiles that greatly outnumbered there's.
- It is after the bay of Pigs invasion.
- They sent one man to meet with Castro in may of 1962.
- The Russians are installing 60 missiles, and 40,000 men in 4 months.
- The Soviets use cargo ships to transport the supplies.
- 85 ships are used to send the support.
- No one knows where they're going.
- The captains were given three separate packets of information.
- The first one was to be opened after leaving the territorial waters of the soviet union.
- The open the second envelope after they get into the Bostfuris straits of turkey.
- It said to steam past the straits of the straights of Gibraltar and into the Atlantic ocean.
- The last letter said to go to Havana Cuba.
- The temperatures below decks reach 115 degrees, and the crew is not allowed to go on deck until night. They also had no bathrooms.
- American spot and photograph the ships and send the photos to Washington.
- The photos are analyzed by the secretive national photographic interpretation center or NPIC.
- They take the photos and create life-sized boxes of them on the ship then they see what can be stored in it
- 12 minutes in
- Spy planes then confirm that the cargo is military biased.
- However, no missiles are spotted.
- They only moved the missiles at night and drove them after 3 am.
- The Cuban civilians knew of the missiles tho.
- They had to tear down a house to move the missiles sometimes
- The Soviet soldiers had to wear civilian clothing or Cuban soldiers uniforms and were forbidden from speaking Russian.
- The Soviets had to build their own homes then, and the insects were a big problem.
- The U2 planes are also photographing them.
- The U2 can shoot in extreme detail.
- For three weeks the u2 overflights are put on hold due to cloudy weather.
- August 29th the flight's resume.
- They then confirm that the weapons on the ground are Soviet air defenses (surface to air missiles).
- This makes the Americans believe that the Soviets are protecting something more significant.
- The nuclear missiles were dug into a ditch and tents put over them.
- Opland 316 an island invasion training mission. Is finished by the Americans and then the soldiers are sent to Florida to wait for orders.
- 17 minutes
- In Offutt, Air Force base in Nebraska and the National Interpretation Center in Washington takes the new U2 film and finds many hints leaning towards nuclear missiles being stationed in Cuba.
- They suspected the missile to be a Soviet SS4 medium-range ballistic missile.
- The missiles have a range of 2,000 miles.
- The information is then laid out for Excom.
- They then talk about destroying the missile sites in an air strike and invading Cuba.
- Robert Mcnamara believes that they have to act now or they run the risk that they will not be able to knock them out before they lunch.
- At this time one missile site is operational.
- They can launch an airstrike in a week and then in another week invade Cuba.
- 90,000 men in 11 days, if they strike in 5 days, there will be almost no preparation.
- A naval blockade is another option. However, the military wants an invasion.
- Kennedy orders an increase in surveillance flights.
- What no one in America knows is that Cuba is armed with battlefield nuclear weapons. Short-range weapons able to decimate an invading army.
- They also have no idea about the four nuclear submarines.
- An invasion in Cuba then looks to be an outcome where the whole united states are destroyed in nuclear fire.
- October 18th, 1962 Kennedy meets with Soviet foreign minister Andre Mameko about the arms shipments to Cuba.
- He denies the existence of offensive weapons to Cuba.
- 25 minutes (half way)
- Kennedy does not confront him though.
- The generals favor an air strike followed by an invasion even tho the missiles might be operational.
- Kennedy thinks its a bad idea because the Soviets will retaliate by taking Berlin.
- Kennedy still keeps up appearances and goes on a political trip to the southwest.
- The missiles can launch on a 5 hours notice.
- The submarines undergo radio silence to stay hidden which is abnormal.
- The ships and submarines played a game of cat and mouse.
- Then Excom moves to “Quarantine” Cuba.
- President Kennedy is advised by Robert Kennedy to return home.
- Opland 316 is the invasion into Cuba, and it takes place eight days after air attacks start. It involves more than 500,000 men, 40,000 marines, 15,000 paratroopers, 1,000 aircraft, and 100 navy ships.
- They have still no knowledge of the tactical nukes.
- The CIA now know that at least one missile site is operational
- The Americans estimate 8,000 Soviet troops are on the ground. There were much more.
- Cuba moves to complete battle readiness as Kennedy is about to address the nation.
- Kennedy then addresses the problem with America's attention.
- Strategic Air Command moves to defcon 3.
- All forces a reading for war.
- The air force spy planes are flying at almost 100 meters over Cuba.
- There is now 100% certainty of the missiles the Cubans have.
- Aldey Stevenson interrupts soviet Ambassador Zorin and accuses Russia of placing missiles in Cuba.
- He presents the pictures and all his evidence.
- The quarantine now goes into effect.
- The war definitely might have started between the two navies.
- Kennedy still doesn't want to start the war by attacking a submarine.
- The Soviet sub is running out of power and decides to surface.
- This was the closest moment we were to nuclear war.
- Strategic air command moves to defcon 2.
- Planes are in the air ready to strike, and bombers are on a 15-minute launch preparedness.
- Then the Soviet ships are reported to turn around.
- The naval war was averted.
- In the case of nuclear war, there is only one plan. Launch every missile and atomic weapon against the whole communist world.
- The Soviets move to a missile readiness of 2 hours.
- Cuban anti aircraft guns fire on american reconicince planes.
- ABC reporter John Scholly meets with Soviet diplomat Alexander Folman at the Occidental restaurant in Washington D.C. a block from the White House.
- His real name was Aleksandr Feklisov, and he was the KGB station Chef. Being a diplomat was a front.
- John then laid out the presidents offer.
- 1. The soviet union removes there missiles from, and the USA lifts the blockade. 2. President gives a public pledge of non-aggression against Cuba.
- Krucheve writes a personal letter to Kennedy. He offers to take the missiles out of Cuba for Kennedy's pledge to end the blockade and not invade Cuba.
- A news bulletin later said the details of the agreement, but it also adds that Kennedy removes missiles from turkey. They think Moskow is adding further demands.
- They then think a mutiny took place and someone else is in power.
- A U2 flies over Cuba on a spy mission. Major Rudolf Anderson is flying and was shot down by a Soviet commander.
- The president decides to send Bobby Kennedy to meet Soviet ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin to make an offer. They agree on the previous terms and secretly offer one
- last incentive they would also remove nato missiles from Turkey but only if no one knew about it.
- Everyone believes that this is the end of the world.
- 3 am Moscow time the Soviets announce their agreement and remove the missiles.
English
The White House
July 16, 1962
Dear John,
Recently there has been a large amount of Soviet cargo moved to the island of Cuba. The communist ships have been estimated to have left in April, and the Air Force has identified it as very suspicious. They then sent the photos to be analyzed by the secretive national photographic interpretation center. The Air Force continued to photograph the hidden cargo, and we made our best guesses as to what it could be and some possibilities are tanks, planes, and helicopters. I didn’t trust those damn communist making moves like this and this such a large quantity, so I gave the ok to continue with more surveillance flights. We then photographed the cargo after it was offloaded the new photos confirmed the shipment to be military biased. We do not know what that damn bastard Castro is up to yet, but it seems to be nothing good. I advise you brother to prepare the military for immediate action. Hopefully we can use this to finally dethrone that bastard of a leader... Now any information that I gather will be sent to you for further review.
- Robert Kennedy
The White House
October 16, 1962
Dear Boddy,
I just had a brief meeting discussing the problem in Cuba, and I'm afraid it’s much worse than we thought. They were not just moving planes and trucks but we have evidence that there are medium-range nuclear missiles stationed in Cuba. Now I know of your hatred towards Castro but we must not act rash. I’m calling you to a meeting where we will prepare for war and diplomacy. The news of this letter must be kept extremely secret and not to get out. If the news of a possible nuclear strike gets out too soon there will be chaos in the streets and we will have a bigger problem. Bring your evidence and everyone involved to the White House. The meeting will take place at 6:30 pm. Take the time till then to calm down and think rationally the only way we make a good plan is with level heads. When you get to the White House say you are part of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council.
- John Kennedy
The White House
October 17, 1962
Dear John,
I want to hopefully sway you to see my point of view that war is the best option. This small little speck of country has been the thorn in america's side and it came from the the bush we know as the Soviet Union. They embarrassed us in the bay of pigs invasion and now they think there the big kid on the block. Now this child of country was given a knife by its big brother and told to stab us. If we do not act now every day that passes by is another chance for cuba to launch the missles. If we let the war lead to them striking first it could possibly change the world in a larger way than we had one thought possible. The preemptive strike laid out in the last EXCOM meeting is what I believe to be the only way to ensure safety for the American people. I also believe that this plan is the best course of action if we are going to act. I know you personally dislike war but that bastard Krucheve and his pet Castro has left us no good options. We drew a line in the sand and he stepped both feet over it. If we do not strike soon the potential american deaths will continue to climb. I understand that air strikes are never 100 Percent effective but it’s so far the best option we have. Please take another look at the plans and consider that this might be our best course of action.
- Robert Kennedy
The White House
October 18, 1962
Dear Bobby,
Jumping head first into war is not the right call in this situation. Now everyone knows I’m not the biggest fan of Communism, but that doesn't mean I'm going to risk so many American lives to fight in a war that no one will win. If this indeed takes off into full-scale war, I'm afraid that none of us will be around to see who won. This is the most delicate international situation America has yet to face. This requires a level head and delicate negotiations. This is a game of chess but not like the one we're used to. We can make moves and counter moves, but at the end of the day, we're relying on luck just as much as strategy. If we think with brawn before brains, we will plunge this world into an atomic fire.
I need to know that if you're going to have a seat at the table, that you can keep a level head. We can not let personal vendettas take ahold of what we were elected to do. We will be invoking the plan of the naval blockade. I will inform the Navy in the morning to surround the island and stop any ship from docking without being searched. I hope you can make peace with this plan and stay pushing for war. Now I want to assure you that just because I am working towards peace, it does not mean I’m not ready for a battle. If it comes down to it, I will lead us to the next most substantial conflict of our time. I will continue to fight for my country even if it comes down to it being just me.
- John Kennedy
October 27, 1962
Dear Bobby,
We are currently at the height of this conflict, Strategic Air Command has just moved to Defcon 2. I’m sending you on a critical mission that needs to be kept extremely secret. After you read this burn the letter and tell no one of what you read. Take the car I have sent and go to the Russian embassy. Tell the ambassador that we have two offers on the table. One is that I will publicly state that America will never invade Cuba. Then I will order the Navy to remove the blockade from surrounding Cuba. Tell them that we can not openly accept the missile trade, but secretly if they take this deal the missiles will be gone in five months. Also, make it apparently clear that if this information leaks the deal is off the table. Return to the White House after delivering the message.
- John Kennedy
July 16, 1962
Dear John,
Recently there has been a large amount of Soviet cargo moved to the island of Cuba. The communist ships have been estimated to have left in April, and the Air Force has identified it as very suspicious. They then sent the photos to be analyzed by the secretive national photographic interpretation center. The Air Force continued to photograph the hidden cargo, and we made our best guesses as to what it could be and some possibilities are tanks, planes, and helicopters. I didn’t trust those damn communist making moves like this and this such a large quantity, so I gave the ok to continue with more surveillance flights. We then photographed the cargo after it was offloaded the new photos confirmed the shipment to be military biased. We do not know what that damn bastard Castro is up to yet, but it seems to be nothing good. I advise you brother to prepare the military for immediate action. Hopefully we can use this to finally dethrone that bastard of a leader... Now any information that I gather will be sent to you for further review.
- Robert Kennedy
The White House
October 16, 1962
Dear Boddy,
I just had a brief meeting discussing the problem in Cuba, and I'm afraid it’s much worse than we thought. They were not just moving planes and trucks but we have evidence that there are medium-range nuclear missiles stationed in Cuba. Now I know of your hatred towards Castro but we must not act rash. I’m calling you to a meeting where we will prepare for war and diplomacy. The news of this letter must be kept extremely secret and not to get out. If the news of a possible nuclear strike gets out too soon there will be chaos in the streets and we will have a bigger problem. Bring your evidence and everyone involved to the White House. The meeting will take place at 6:30 pm. Take the time till then to calm down and think rationally the only way we make a good plan is with level heads. When you get to the White House say you are part of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council.
- John Kennedy
The White House
October 17, 1962
Dear John,
I want to hopefully sway you to see my point of view that war is the best option. This small little speck of country has been the thorn in america's side and it came from the the bush we know as the Soviet Union. They embarrassed us in the bay of pigs invasion and now they think there the big kid on the block. Now this child of country was given a knife by its big brother and told to stab us. If we do not act now every day that passes by is another chance for cuba to launch the missles. If we let the war lead to them striking first it could possibly change the world in a larger way than we had one thought possible. The preemptive strike laid out in the last EXCOM meeting is what I believe to be the only way to ensure safety for the American people. I also believe that this plan is the best course of action if we are going to act. I know you personally dislike war but that bastard Krucheve and his pet Castro has left us no good options. We drew a line in the sand and he stepped both feet over it. If we do not strike soon the potential american deaths will continue to climb. I understand that air strikes are never 100 Percent effective but it’s so far the best option we have. Please take another look at the plans and consider that this might be our best course of action.
- Robert Kennedy
The White House
October 18, 1962
Dear Bobby,
Jumping head first into war is not the right call in this situation. Now everyone knows I’m not the biggest fan of Communism, but that doesn't mean I'm going to risk so many American lives to fight in a war that no one will win. If this indeed takes off into full-scale war, I'm afraid that none of us will be around to see who won. This is the most delicate international situation America has yet to face. This requires a level head and delicate negotiations. This is a game of chess but not like the one we're used to. We can make moves and counter moves, but at the end of the day, we're relying on luck just as much as strategy. If we think with brawn before brains, we will plunge this world into an atomic fire.
I need to know that if you're going to have a seat at the table, that you can keep a level head. We can not let personal vendettas take ahold of what we were elected to do. We will be invoking the plan of the naval blockade. I will inform the Navy in the morning to surround the island and stop any ship from docking without being searched. I hope you can make peace with this plan and stay pushing for war. Now I want to assure you that just because I am working towards peace, it does not mean I’m not ready for a battle. If it comes down to it, I will lead us to the next most substantial conflict of our time. I will continue to fight for my country even if it comes down to it being just me.
- John Kennedy
October 27, 1962
Dear Bobby,
We are currently at the height of this conflict, Strategic Air Command has just moved to Defcon 2. I’m sending you on a critical mission that needs to be kept extremely secret. After you read this burn the letter and tell no one of what you read. Take the car I have sent and go to the Russian embassy. Tell the ambassador that we have two offers on the table. One is that I will publicly state that America will never invade Cuba. Then I will order the Navy to remove the blockade from surrounding Cuba. Tell them that we can not openly accept the missile trade, but secretly if they take this deal the missiles will be gone in five months. Also, make it apparently clear that if this information leaks the deal is off the table. Return to the White House after delivering the message.
- John Kennedy