—s—E-C-R-E-P4, On August 9, 1957, the President discussed with the Chairman the subject of the letter of August 2 and, as reported by the Chairman at Meeting 1300 on August 13, 1957: a. Approved our proceeding now with preparations for Operation HARDTACK with a starting date of April 1, 1958; :b. Directed that the planning firings (approximately 25) be screened to hold to the smallest number . practical without losing essential defense oojectives; c, Requested that every effort be made to shorten the length of the test period, 5. On September 15, 1957, the Department of Defense and the Atomic Energy Commission jointly announced preparations for a series of nuclear tests to begin in April, 1958, at the Eniwetok Proving Ground, 6, At Meeting 1308 on October 22, 1957, the laboratory directors briefed the Commission on their plans for tests in Operation HARDTACK, as outlined in AEC 952/16 and AEC 952/18. As a result of the review of the test program at this meeting and subsequent consideration by the laboratories and DMA, the program recommended in this paper was evolved. (. The recommended test program for Operation HARDTACK is contained in Appendix "B", ; neon . : ™ — . In addition to these laboratory devices, the DOD will conduct five tests as part of its weapons effects program,|