Memorandum for the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff - Subject: Berlin Contingency Planning

TOP SEGRET 19 May 1961 MEMORANDUM FOR: The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff SUBJECT: Berlin Contingeney Planning 1 have considered the JCS report of 13 April 1961 of their review of Berlin Contingeney Planning and have reported to the President on 5 May their conclusions together with my recommenda- tions. In furtherance of my report to the President, it is desired that you initiate, as a matter of priority, actions as follows: 1. Revise U. S. unilateral contingency plans for Berlin on the assumption that national policy guidance will be revised. a. Assume NSC 5803 is revised to provide for the use of "substantial conventional force" to regain access to Berlin before resorting to the une of nuclear weapons or other central war measures. b. Recognize the possibility of exploiting the military potential of the Federal Republic of Germany and provide for German participation in military action incident to re- gaining access to Berlin. 2. Assese U. S. capability to deploy and support special forces and guerrilla-type operations in East Germany and other satellite countries should uprisings occur in those countries incident to U. S. military action in Berlin. 3. Instruct the Joint Chiefs of Staff representative on the U. S. Coordinating Group for Berlin Contingency Planning to revise the check list of possible military and non-military measures, to refine and perfect the list, i.e. delete A (1) "Execute anti-suborarine surveillance in Straits of Gibraltar and in the Turkish Straits with visible patrolling. EXCLODED FROM AUTOMATIC REGRADING: DOD DIB 5200.10 DOES NOT APPLY 8 7 TOP SECRET ( of 2 Pagas Page 10112 content ann We