McKinlay was conscious that he was witnessing history. Germany, so long the most pacifist nation in NATO, was today sanctioning the use of force. Like so many of his senior military colleagues, he had the highest respect for the professionalism of German commanders and staff officers and the quality of its military hardware, but despaired of that country’s consistent refusal to do anything meaningful with them. Now, once again, panzers marked with black crosses would be heading east. This time it would be in the cause of freedom and not of occupation.

“That’s just what we needed to hear,” he muttered to Admiral Howard, next to him. Then he scribbled a note and gave it to his German MA, Commander Wolfgang Kretschmer of the German Navy, one of the three Military Assistants who looked after the wide span of DSACEUR’s responsibilities and who had recently joined the office.

Kretschmer read it, nodded, and left the room to fix up calls to the Chiefs of Defense Staff of Germany and the UK.

McKinlay listened while a series of ambassadors reinforced the commitment of their countries to taking whatever military action might be needed to liberate the Baltic states, although Hungary and Greece remained silent, neither promising support but no longer—and just as importantly—refusing it either. Judging the moment perfectly, Secretary General Kostilek intervened and summed up the mood of the meeting.

“Ambassadors, I congratulate you on your very positive statements. I see there is unanimity in support of taking whatever action is necessary to liberate the Baltic states. If we get this right, and there is no reason why we cannot, the future of the Alliance is safe. I had no doubt that the nations would rise to the challenge. The question now is what action can be taken. For this we are in the hands of the NATO military authorities . . . SACEUR, the floor is yours.”

“Thank you, Secretary General,” said Howard. “You will all be aware of the outline proposal we have circulated under strictest security to each of you. I will not repeat what is in that because it is of critical importance that the tightest operational security is maintained . . . and we can’t do that in open forum in the North Atlantic Council. I propose first that DSACEUR outlines the general force generation requirement so that you understand the scale of the challenge. Secondly, I recommend that we arrange a Top Secret briefing for your military representatives. They will then ensure that you understand what is planned. But, and most important, I now need your authority to proceed with the detailed planning.”

Kostilek concurred. “We all understand that secrecy is vital. Can I take it that the Council approves the proposal that the NATO military authorities take forward the planning of the operation whose outline you have been briefed upon separately?”