Williams, Robert F. The Pentomic Army

The US Army and the Nuclear Battlefield of the 1950s–60s

A volume from the series Europe @ War. Here, Robert F. Williams examines the US Army's radical pentomic transition from 1956 to 1962, a desperate attempt to remain relevant on the nuclear battlefield. Driven by Eisenhower's New Look strategy and intense rivalry between the armed forces over dwindling resources, the Army sought to transform itself and operate effectively in a future shaped by nuclear warfare. This book takes an in-depth look at the doctrinal changes that envisaged a dispersed, non-linear battlefield with small, mobile units possessing immense firepower. It details the ambitious pursuit of high-tech weapons, including nuclear-capable surface-to-surface missiles and the versatile use of helicopters. Williams also examines the significant challenges of recruiting and retaining technically skilled personnel for this new, complex force, which often struggled with public perception and competition between the armed services. Although the Pentomic structure skilfully cultivated its public image as a modern and forward-looking force, it ultimately failed as a functional combat organisation. Its shortcomings were due to impractical doctrine, technological gaps and logistical complexities, which ultimately led to its abandonment. This book shows how this crucial, albeit doomed, experiment profoundly shaped the institutional culture of the US Army and its enduring approach to modern warfare. The Pentomic Army: The US Army and the Nuclear Battlefield in the 1950s-60s is illustrated throughout with original photographs and the colour images typical of the series.