Transition To War

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Transition To War (TTW) is a NATO military term^[1] referring to a period of international tension during which government and society move to an open (but not necessarily declared) war footing. The period after this is considered to be war, conventional or otherwise, but the term TTW found its origins in the peak of the Cold War as a key NATO concept within the tripwire escalation of the DEFCON status. This could include the suspension of peacetime services, closing motorways to all but military traffic and the internment of subversives without charge or trial.

[edit] What happens during the Transition To War

The following table gives examples of what could happen in a state of emergency and why, but these may not necessarily happen during such a time. More details are available at the website below.

Number	Example of transition to war	Reason(s)	Notes
1	Closure of schools, colleges and universities	Reduce civilian casualties, allow teachers and other staff in reserve forces (including special constables) to mobilise and free up buildings for emergency uses. Teaching and other staff may be assigned other duties.	Could be problematic in certain areas, especially in garrison towns or during the exam season.
2	Hospitals being cleared	Make room for casualties and allow reservists to mobilise	Hospitals, the fire brigade and other emergency services could be overstretched after conventional or terrorist attack, if they still exist. Fewer medical staff, due to reserves mobilisation.
3	Motorways closed to civilian traffic	Facilitate movement of troops, food, fuel, ammunition, weapons and essential supplies	Motorways and rail network could have people trying to get away from target areas, some railway lines and roads could be potential targets.
4	Normal television and radio broadcasts suspended (or programmes cancelled, changed or interrupted).	To warn of attack, give official information and free up labour for war effort. Protect and Survive public information films may be broadcast.	Could be detrimental to morale if a popular show's pulled
5	Non essential telephone lines disconnected, the Government Telephone Preference Scheme is activated	Increased demand from government and other agencies overwhelms network, but also prevents spies listening in.	Could be unpopular with public because of people losing business, or not being in touch with relatives.
6	Known and potential subversives interned without charge or trial. Some civil rights could be suspended as the result of Parliament passing an Emergency Powers Act (eg:Defence of the Realm Act 1914)	To prevent sabotage, mutiny and allow prosecution of the war	Could be used to crack down on civil liberties and stifle dissent in a dictatorship. Civil Liberties groups will be very critical of such a decision, as it will stifle opposition because certain civil rights could be suspended.
7	Restrictions on electricity for advertising and display. Government may order sports stadia, theatres, cinemas, art galleries and certain premises to close as a result.	Reduce detection by enemy bombers, reducing targeting opportunities. Could also be done to provide electricity for the war effort. This is also ostensibly to reduce civilian casualties and provide emergency premises when needed for detention camps or other uses.	Could be done in conjunction with the closure of theatres, cinemas, sport and arts venues (museums, art galleries, etc).
8	Government commandeers commercial and private aircraft, ferries, other shipping and the Channel Tunnel. Normal railway services are suspended and trains commandeered, buses and coaches requisitioned.	To get soldiers and equipment to the front line and evacuate families of servicemen. Railways could be used to transport civilian needs as well as heavy artillery and tanks, for instance. Buses could be used as ambulances and troop carriers.	Will leave passengers stranded and lead to food shortages. Businesses could lose trade as as a result. Ports and airports may be closed to civilian flights or shipping, either as possible targets or due to military aircraft stationed there.
9	Absenteeism in many companies and workplaces.	This may come about due to transport difficulties, reservists called up to fight, wish to be with family or leaving potential target areas (especially in garrison towns, ports and major industrial centres).	Government may impose manpower controls and industrial conscription, though may be impractical to enforce. Some people could be in reserved occupations, such as farmers or employees of government contractors.
10	Gas, elctricity and water supplies disconnected. Petrol and diesel supplies rationed.	Prevent sabotage Divert supplies to war effort as well as civil authorities Prevent fires, water supplies being poisoned, damage to distribution networks Ensure supply and distribution.	Could be a reason for dissent, especially if war comes in winter.

Note: "Reservists" are any members of the public who serve in the armed forces and emergency services on a part-time basis. Many will hold down regular civilian jobs and be called up on a "when needed" basis. Reserve forces include the Territorial Army, Royal Naval Reserve, RAF Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve, retained firefighters and the Special Constabulary. Groups like the RNLI, The Salvation Army and the WRVS are charitable organistaions but are pressed into service to supplement the civil defence, the armed forces and post attack distribution of aid.