Missiles for peace?: The History of Pershing Missiles in the Federal Republic of Germany 1960 – 1991

Description:

Fear, protests, and the sense of a world on the brink— To many, the Pershing missile was more than just a piece of military hardware. It became a tangible symbol of global peril. Stationed deep in the heart of Germany, these heavily armed carriers of nuclear warheads stood ready—not just to deter, but potentially to destroy. This book tells the story of the Pershing missiles not merely as a technical chapter of the Cold War, but as part of a shared memory. It begins with Operation Paperclip, when German rocket scientists were brought to the United States after World War II. From there, the narrative traces the development of the Pershing systems all the way to their controversial deployment on German soil in the 1980s—a time when hundreds of thousands took to the streets to protest the nuclear threat. The Pershing was more than a missile—it became a flashpoint for social unrest, a symbol of political helplessness, and ultimately a catalyst for change. The INF Treaty, which sealed its destruction, marked a rare moment of genuine disarmament and renewed hope.

subjects: Pershing (Missile),  US-Army,  Bundeswehr,  NATO,  Cold War,  INF-Vertrag,  Nachrüstung

People: US-Army

Places: Neu-Ulm,  Mutlangen,  Heilbronn,  Schwäbisch Gmünd

Times: 1955-1991