NATO Strategy Documents 1949 - 1969
NATO Strategy Documents 1949 - 1969 1
M.C.3
19 October 1949
Pages 1-7, incl.
MEMORANDUM BY THE STANDING GROUP
to the
NORTH ATLANTIC MILITARY COMMITTEE
transmitting
THE STRATEGIC CONCEPT FOR THE DEFENSE
OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC AREA
1. In accordance with the directive from the Military Committee
to the Standing Group (M.C. 2/1, 6 October 1949), an over-all
defensive concept for the North Atlantic Treaty area has been prepared
(Enclosure). This concept has been reviewed and approved by the
Standing Group and is herewith transmitted to the members of the
Military Committee for consideration and comment.
2. The aim of this concept is to ensure unity of thought and
purpose insofar as the objectives of the defense of the North Atlantic
Treaty area are concerned. It has been drawn up in broad terms which
take into account both political and strategic considerations. Based
on this broad concept and in accordance with the terms of reference of
the Standing Group, more detailed strategic guidance of a purely
military nature will be issued by the Standing Group to fulfill the
needs of the Regional Planning Groups.
3. In order that regional plans will reflect from the onset
unity of thought and purpose, it is desirable that an overall
defensive concept be accepted and approved by the Military Committee
at its next meeting. It is therefore requested that the addressees
send their comments in time to reach the Standing Group not later than
15 November 1949 in order that these comments may be consolidated and
final drafts prepared for the Military Committee at its next meeting,
which must take place prior to 1 December 1949. The Standing Group
personnel will be available to the representatives of the addressees
for informal discussions on any aspects of the concept.
4. In view of the fact that the Atlantic Treaty Organization has
not as yet had time to analyse and establish its ultimate security
system, the Standing Group considers that the security of the concept
makes it advisable that it be transmitted to the home governments by
the most secure diplomatic means. It is, therefore, requested that
this document be handled in toto by courier and on no account by any
electronic means.
GENERAL BRADLEY GENERAL MORGAN GENERAL ELY
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ENCLOSURE
STRATEGIC CONCEPT FOR THE DEFENSE
OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC AREA
I
PREAMBLE
1. The attainment of the objectives of the North Atlantic Treaty
requires the integration by the parties to the Treaty of those
political, economic, and psychological, as well as purely military
means, which are essential to the defense of the North Atlantic area.
Of particular significance is the requirement that the objectives of
the North Atlantic Treaty be accomplished in accordance with the
purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The
parties to the Atlantic Treaty have declared:
“They are determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage,
and civilization of their peoples, founded on the principles of
democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law.”
“They seek to promote stability and well-being in the North
Atlantic area.”
“They are resolved to united their efforts for collective defense
and for the preservation of peace and security”.
2. For the purpose of, first, preventing war, and, second,
insuring in the event of war the effective application of the
military and industrial strength of the Treaty nations in a
common defense, the military means available to the nations of
the North Atlantic Treaty must be effectively coordinated. As a
basis for such coordination a common strategic concept for the
defense of the North Atlantic area must serve as the keystone
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for the plans of the Military Committee and the Regional Planning
Groups. It is the purpose of this document to outline a broad concept
for the overall defense of the North Atlantic area.
3. This broad concept is built on considerations of geographical
position, industrial capacity, population, and the military
capabilities of the Treaty nations. The objective is adequate military
strength accompanied by economy of effort, resources and manpower. It
is desirable that each nation be capable of providing for its own
defense to the maximum extent possible consistent with a collective
strategic plan.
4. This concept is the initial step in the initiation of
realistic, vital and productive defense planning aimed at securing
peace and lessening the possibility of aggression. It is aimed at
providing the basic strategic guidance needed by the regional planning
groups in order to assure coordinated planning in consonance with the
principles set forth in Title II below. The measures required to
implement this concept will require constant review.
II
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY DEFENSE PRINCIPLES
5. Certain general principles are recognized as underlying the
North Atlantic Treaty defensive organizations. These principles are
accepted as fundamental to the successful functioning of the
organization and the development of a common defense program. As such,
those applicable to defense planning are set out in the following
paragraphs as an integral part of the basic guidance for regional
planning groups.
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a. The main principle is common action in defense against armed
attack through self-help and mutual aid. The immediate
objective is the achievement of arrangements for collective
self-defense among the Atlantic Treaty nations.
b. In accordance with the general objective of Article 3 of the
North Atlantic Treaty, each nation will contribute in the
most effective form, consistent with its situation,
responsibilities and resources, such aid as can reasonably be
expected of it.
c. The military strength of the participating nations should be
developed without endangering economic recovery and the
attainment of economic stability, which constitute an
essential element of their security.
d. The armed forces of those nations so located as to permit
mutual support in the event of aggression should be developed
on a coordinated basis in order that they can operate most
economically and efficiently in accordance with a common
strategic plan.
e. A successful defense of the North Atlantic Treaty nations
through maximum efficiency of their armed forces, with the
minimum necessary expenditures of manpower, money and
materials, is the goal of defense planning.
f. A basic principle of North Atlantic Treaty planning should be
that each nation should undertake the task, or tasks, for
which it is best suited. Certain nations, because of their
geographic location or because of their capabilities, will
emphasize appropriate specific missions.
III
OBJECTIVES OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY DEFENSIVE CONCEPT
6. The purpose of the North Atlantic Treaty defensive
organization is to unite the strength of the North Atlantic
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Treaty nations in order to promote the preservation of peace and to
provide for the security of the North Atlantic area. The general
objectives of the defensive concept are:
a. To coordinate, in time of peace, our military and economic
strength with a view to creating a powerful deterrent to any
nation or group of nations threatening the peace,
independence and stability of the North Atlantic family of
nations.
b. To develop plans, for use in the event of war, which will
provide for the combined employment of military forces
available to the North Atlantic nations to counter enemy
threats, to defend and maintain the peoples and home
territories of the North Atlantic Treaty nations and the
security of the North Atlantic Treaty area.
IV
MILITARY MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT DEFENSE CONCEPT
Basic undertakings
7. Overall defense plans must provide in advance of war
emergency, specifically for the following basic undertakings in
furtherance of the common objective to defend the North Atlantic area.
a. Insure the ability to deliver the atomic bomb promptly. This
is primarily a US responsibility assisted as practicable by
other nations.
b. Arrest and counter as soon as practicable the enemy
offensives against North Atlantic Treaty powers by all means
available, including air, naval, land and psychological
operations. The hard core of ground power in being will come
from the European nations aided by other nations as they can
mobilize.
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c. Neutralize as soon as practicable enemy air operations
against North Atlantic Treaty powers. In this undertaking
the European nations should provide the bulk of the tactical
air support and air defense in being, other nations aiding as
they can mobilize.
d. Secure and control sea and air lines of communication, and
ports and harbors, essential to the implementation of common
defense plans. It is recognized that this will be primarily
a responsibility of the United States and United Kingdom.
Other nations will secure and maintain their own harbor
defense and coastal sea lines and will assist in the
maintenance of other lines of communications as their means
permit.
e. Secure, maintain and defend such main support areas, air
bases, naval bases and other facilities as are essential to
the successful accomplishment of the basic undertaking.
These undertakings will be a responsibility of the nations
having sovereignty over these essential bases, areas and
facilities, aided as necessary and to the extent set forth in
collective defense plans.
f. Mobilize and expand the overall power of the Allied nations
in accordance with their planned contribution to later
offensive operations designed to maintain security of the
North Atlantic Treaty area.
Cooperative measures
8. The essence of our overall concept is to develop a
maximum of strength through collective defense planning. As a
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prerequisite to the successful implementation of common plans, it is
recognized that certain cooperative measures must be undertaken in
advance. These measures are:
a. Standardization, insofar as practicable, of military
doctrines and procedures.
b. Conduct of combined training exercises, when deemed
desirable.
c. Compilation and exchange of intelligence information and data
peculiar to the conduct of contemplated Atlantic Treaty
organization defense planning and operations resulting
therefrom.
d. Cooperation in the construction, maintenance, and operation
of military installations of mutual concern.
e. Standardization of maintenance, repair, and service
facilities which will be of mutual concern in the event
contemplated defense plans have to be implemented.
f. Standardization, insofar as practicable, of military material
and equipment for use in operations as developed by common
defense plans.
g. Collective cooperation in arranging for military operating
rights, in peacetime, in furtherance of common defense
requirements.
h. Cooperation, insofar as practicable and within the legal
limitations and administrative restrictions of each country,
in research and development of new weapons and in the
development of new methods of warfare.
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Enclosure