In September 1962, exactly half a century ago, events unfolded that would push the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war in October. Join Foreign Policy as we take a closer look at the month preceding the Cuban missile crisis.
Sept. 1, 1962
Four brigades of Soviet troops begin arriving in Cuba -- however, U.S intelligence does not confirm their presence on the island until October 25. Soviet soldiers are disguised as agricultural technicians in almost identical checkered shirts, shown above leading troops. The Soviets jokingly call the Cuban mission "Operation Checkered Shirt."
Sept. 2, 1962
The Soviet cargo ship Kimovsk leaves Sevastopol in Crimea carrying eight R-12 missiles.
Sept. 3, 1962
The U.S. State Department concludes that the surface-to-air missile sites (SAMs) in Cuba are not a threat to American territory but that a "line should be drawn at the installation of nuclear weapons."
The Soviet cargo ship Chernyakhovek leaves for Cuba from Nikolaev, Ukraine. Soviet Rocket Forces staff are on board.
MAVI
Sept. 4, 1962
Premier Khrushchev instructs the Soviet ambassador, Anatoly Dobrynin, to assure President John F. Kennedy via his brother Robert that no offensive weapons have been placed in Cuba. Above, Dobrynin stands outside the White House.
In Washington, President Kennedy issues a statement declaring that surface-to-air missile sites and significantly more military personnel than originally thought have been detected in Cuba. However he insists there is "no evidence of an organized combat force or other significant offensive capability...otherwise the gravest issues would arise."
This is followed by a promise to the U.S. public to "continue to make information available as fast as it is obtained and properly verified."
JFK Library
Sept. 6, 1962
Premier Nikita Khrushchev, shown above with Fidel Castro, sends a message to the White House promising that "nothing will be undertaken before U.S. Congressional elections in November that could complicate the international situation."
In Cuba, Fidel Castro accuses the United States of firing on the Havana shoreline from American gunboats stationed off shore.
Sept. 7, 1962
Premier Khrushchev orders "Luna" short-range tactical nuclear missiles, capable of destroying a U.S. invading force, to be sent to Cuba.
Meanwhile the Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin assures Adlai Stevenson -- the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations -- that "only defensive weapons are being supplied" to Cuba.
The U.S. Tactical Air Command begins developing plans for a coordinated air attack against Cuba that could be launched as a pre-airborne assault.
U.S. Admiral Robert Dennison recommends that 113 transport planes be reserved for the next five days for a possible invasion of Cuba.
The White House announces a request from President Kennedy for 150,000 men in the U.S Ready Reserve to be ordered to active duty for 12 months.
A CIA informant in Cuba reports on a possible missile installation near San Cristobal guarded by Soviet troops. Another CIA source states that Che Guevara visited Moscow in August on a "rocket project."
AFP/Getty Images
Sept. 8, 1962
The Kremlin drafts a message to Soviet commander Gen. Issa Pliyev, stating that "you are permitted to make your own decision" on the use of tactical nuclear weapons in Cuba. However the message is never signed by the Soviet Defense Minister Rodion Malinovsky. Above, Gen. Pliyev talks with Soviets troops in Cuba.
Sept. 9, 1962
The Soviet ship Omsk docks in the Cuban port of Casilde carrying R-12 rockets, which are unloaded at night to avoid suspicion. Three days later, a CIA agent observes 65-foot missile trailers moving through Havana en route to western Cuba, but the CIA dismisses the report as unreliable.
Another CIA informer overhears Castro's private pilot boasting about "intermediate range rockets."
MAVI
Sept. 11, 1962
A statement by the Soviet government says that "the arms and military equipment sent to Cuba are intended solely for defensive purposes."
Sept. 12, 1962
Today's headline in Cuban newspaper Revolución declares "Rockets will blast the United States if they invade Cuba."
A CIA agent in Cuba reports sightings of 70-foot canvas-covered missile trailers in Havana.
Sept. 13, 1962
President Kennedy declares that Fidel Castro, shown above, is trying to "arouse the Cuban people by charges of an imminent American invasion to bolster his regime."
MAVI
Sept. 15, 1962
U.S. reconnaissance planes photograph a Soviet freighter, the Poltava, nearing Cuba, with eight R-12 medium-range missiles hidden below decks. The above show the Poltova approaching the island. The Soviet cargo ship Krasnograd leaves for Cuba from Nikolaev, Ukraine, with another six R-12 missiles.
Sept. 16, 1962
The Poltava docks at Mariel, Cuba. A CIA agent reports the unloading of long rockets and a convoy of at least eight trucks departing for San Cristobal.
The Soviet ship Indigirka leaves a nuclear supply base in the Soviet Arctic with a cargo of six atom bombs, 12 Luna warheads, 36 R-12 long-range warheads, and 36 FKR short-range warheads.
Sept. 17, 1962
A CIA agent observes a missile convoy near Artemisa in western Cuba.
National Archives
Sept. 19, 1962
The CIA states that missile deployment to Cuba would be "incompatible with Soviet practice."
However, another CIA report cites reasons for suspicion:
Soviet ships heading to Cuba appear to be "riding high in the water" -- suggesting that they are carrying light, military cargo.
Evidence of elaborate surface-to-air defense systems being constructed.
Reports come through Fidel Castro's private pilot boasting after a night drinking in Havana, that "we can win because we have everything, including atomic weapons."
Sept. 20, 1962
In Moscow, Premier Khrushchev is worried by the possible American reaction to a Soviet submarine base on Cuba and sends only four submarines to Cuban waters, cancelling plans for stationing an entire fleet in Cuba. The photograph above shows one of the Foxtrot class submarines sent from the Soviet Union.
In Washington, the U.S. Senate passes a resolution on sanctioning the use of force in Cuba if necessary by a vote of 86 to one. This will "prevent creation or use of externally supported offensive military capability endangering security of the U.S."
National Archives
Sept. 21, 1962
Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko accuses the U.S. government of drumming up "war hysteria" and states that anyone "knows that Cuba is not building up her forces [to] pose a threat to the U.S." He goes on to warn that any U.S attack on Cuba or a Cuba-bound ship would trigger war.
Meanwhile the Soviet cargo ship Orenburg leaves for Cuba from Nikolaev with seven R-12 missiles.
A CIA source overhears a Cuban official boasting that Soviets in Cuba are working on a "nuclear weapons base."
Sept. 22, 1962
The Soviet cargo ship Kimovsk arrives in the Cuban port of Casilda with eight R-12 missiles. A sister ship, the Krasnograd -- shown above -- is photographed by American reconnaissance planes, while carrying six R-12 missiles. U.S. analysts note that it has "an extra large hatch."
Sept. 23, 1962
A CIA source in Cuba reports that 45-50 ft. tubes have been seen being unloaded in La Isabela.
United States Naval Heritage Center
Sept. 27, 1962
In Washington, the Air Force Chief of Staff Curtis LeMay approves a plan for an air attack on Cuba that would precede an airborne assault or amphibious landing. The deadline for these preparations is set at Oct. 20.
The CIA concludes that missile trailers observed by its agent on Sept. 12 could be transporting SS-4 IRBMs, capable of reaching U.S. territory.
Sept. 28, 1962
U.S. Navy air reconnaissance photos show 10 large shipping crates aboard the Soviet ship Kasimov headed for Cuba, shown in the above photograph. American photo-analysts decide that they contain Soviet light bomber aircraft.
National Security Archive
