At their peak, US/NATO vs USSR/Warsaw Pact in a conventional war? Who'll win?

Question

Would their allies outside Europe make a difference? China, Two Koreas, Japan, Australia, Israel, Arab states, etc.

Answer 1

Local commanders had authorization to use tactical nukes. I was on Fleigerhorst Kaserne, just outside Hanua at the far end of the Fulda Gap. While I was in Avionics and not involved in what the cannon cockers,engineers or grunts actually did I can tell you they trained constantly.

It is not a secret then or now that there were plenty of tactile nukes in the bunkers at Fleigerhorst. They are gone now as the need does not exist anymore.

The Soviets had a 10 to 1 advantage in tanks. We had air power in Germany, Britain, Spain, Italy and the Azores.

Had the Soviets rolled we would not be having this discussion now. The winner would be the cockroach as it would likely be the only survivor on the planet.

Answer 2

That might be a real tough one to call. NATO was mostly equipped by the USA and it is the technology of the USA that would most likely prevail. One real problem would be Europe. Belonging to NATO and actually doing something is two different things. Many of the more developed states of Europe tend to hide their heads n the sand just as they did before two world wars last century.

The sheer numbers from the USSR and its Allies would be very hard to overcome.

Not easy to figure that one.

Answer 3

If you're talking about the classic warpac advance through west germany in the 80s - this phase of the war would've lasted a coupe of weeks max - then the soviets would hit the channel.

However it would probably have gone nuclear before then - even if only on a limited scale - the French would launch, even if no-one else did.

Answer 4

The Soviets would have walked over the Allies in about two-three weeks in a non-nuclear scenario.

However, the Allies would have use tactical nuclear weapons to stop the advance. At which point the Soviets would have retaliated hitting key population centers. At which point the US ICBMs would be launched. At which point the Soviet ICBMs would have counter-launched. At which point you wouldn't be reading this answer because we would all be dead or dying.

Answer 5

Assuming no nukes, the USSR could have had all of Europe anytime it wanted. It was only the nuclear deterent that kept that from happening.

Answer 6

Def NATO with all those countries in an all out war including China and India we already have thier armies matched plus equipment improvments i dont see it going any other way.

Answer 7

There is a Joke about this.

Two Soviet Army Generals look at each in Paris, one says to the other. "By the way, Who Won the Air War?"

Answer 8

Without Nukes, USSR. With Nukes no one.

Answer 9

depends really....

which side are the "antiwar" bunch? they have a huge impact on losing a war.....

Answer 10

We will never know
thank God