The Sword and the Shield reveals for the first time declassified discussions that took place between the British, French and US governments for nuclear cooperation in the early to mid-1970s. In doing so, it sets the scene for the top secret upgrade to Britain's Polaris force, codenamed Chevaline, and how this could have brought down Harold Wilson's Labour government of 1974-1976. It also analyses the evolution of NATO strategy in this period into something that was capable of a flexible response to Warsaw Pact aggression--a response that, if enacted, could well have been apocalyptic.-- Provided by Publisher.

The Heath government, France, and the not so special relationship, 1970-1974 -- The 'special nuclear relationship' under Heath, 1970-1974 -- Britain, NATO's evolving military doctrine, and its nuclear planning group : the balance between the sword and the shield, 1970-1974 -- National strategy and multilateral priorities : British 'tactical' nuclear operations, 1970-1974 -- The last Wilson governments and strategic nuclear deterrence, 1974-1975 -- Nuclear testing and the practicalities of moving Chevaline to completion, 1974-1976 -- Britain, America, and NATO modernization, 1974-1976 -- Tactical nuclear weapons, operational employment, and conventional defense, 1974-1976.