The Third World War - August 1985

by John Hackett

  We have had invaluable advice from a great variety of sources, including the Ministry of Defence in London, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe, Allied Forces Central Europe, the British Royal Military College of Science, and elsewhere.

  We are much indebted to a widely acknowledged expert on the Red Army, Professor John Erickson of Edinburgh University.

  We are particularly indebted for advice to General M. Davison (formerly C-in-C USAREUR) and General W. de Puy, both recently retired from the US Army. They have given invaluable help on more than one aspect of our work.

  Mr Julian Allason, whose own book on the defence of the United Kingdom against nuclear attack will appear in 1979, and Major J. A. Hibbert, who is much concerned with civil defence, have also been helpful, as have serving officers whose advice has helped to lend realism to our treatment of the fighting.

  The events in this book have, on occasion, been presented according to our, the authors’, views rather than according to the advice given to us. Any criticism of the result, therefore, should in no way be directed at those mentioned above. No contributions are signed since strict attribution would not be easy in so co-operative an enterprise.

  Sir John Hackett, February 1978