Existing comment:
Defending Against The Surprise Communist Attack:
The Arab-Israeli War of October 1973 added a new dimension to American Cold War strategy and preparations. In that conflict, the Untied States supported Israel, while the Soviet Union provided military aid to the Arab nations. The surprise nature of the Arab attack highlighted the potential nature of a broader conflict in Europe. With little advance notice, Warsaw Pact forces might cross the border with West Germany. American plans assumed the availability of sufficient time to mobilize and deploy large numbers of troops in Europe to blunt an invasion, but the prospect of a surprise invasion forced a re-evaluation of plans and preparedness. Consequently, the Army focused on improving the combat readiness of its active component and expediting National Guard and Reserve mobilization and training. In 1973, the Army established the Training and Doctrine Command to oversee readiness. |