Thank you ORAC although I see much of it focuses on exercise war plans.
In one Wintex where endex occurs after first release of nuclear weapons, we anticipated that we were about to enter the nuclear phase with a 'nuclear demonstration.' We anticipated that SACEUR would authorise a counter-value strike against a target in the Central Region to show nuclear resolve. In the event 50 targets were selected as SACEUR also wished to gain a military advantage as well as deomstrating resolve.
But can you draw a valid conclusion from such an event in an exercise?
I would argue that the number of targets and their breadth in NATO was designed to give as many HQ and unit staffs the opportunity to practise nuclear weapons release procedure and therefore wholly unrepresentative of the real thing.
As Dennis Healey said, he would not have authorised release for real. To refuse to authorise an exercise release could have seriously damaged the interests of HMG.
Exercises are not wholly representative nor realistic.