Explanation: During the Cold War, a number of wartime scenarios were planned for by the military staff of both sides of the conflict. In most scenarios, Soviet-aligned forces would push through NATO-aligned forces at the Fulda Gap, through NATO-aligned West Germany. Where the plans went from there… varied.
France, which had an independent nuclear arm and policy, regarded its best defense against this possibility by…
… nuking West Germany as soon as Soviet troops came through.
No more Soviet invasion AND no more Germany? The French saw no downside!
Explanation: During the Cold War, a number of wartime scenarios were planned for by the military staff of both sides of the conflict. In most scenarios, Soviet-aligned forces would push through NATO-aligned forces at the Fulda Gap, through NATO-aligned West Germany. Where the plans went from there… varied.
France, which had an independent nuclear arm and policy, regarded its best defense against this possibility by…
… nuking West Germany as soon as Soviet troops came through.
No more Soviet invasion AND no more Germany? The French saw no downside!