The Berlin Airlift (1948-1949)
The Berlin Airlift was caused by the Soviet Union shutting off all access to Berlin and blockading it from the western democracies. Berlin, though it contained all four Allies of WW2, was fairly deep into the Soviet zone of Germany. The Soviets decided to shut down all supplies and communications that were headed toward the non-Soviet areas of Berlin on June 18, 1948. At the time the people had about a month’s worth of food and a month and a half’s worth of coal.
America and Britain had scaled back their armies immensely since the end of WW2, and thus had little chance of bringing help by land. Since the airways had previously been negotiated as free for all, they decided to start an airlift, which could bring in the tons of food and coal supplies needed by the citizens in U.S.- and British-occupied Berlin. A total of around 1,500 tons of food and 4,000 tons of coal needed to be dropped in each day. Both the U.S. and Britain began to work on manufacturing more and more planes that would be able to carry in all the supplies.
On July 1, 1948, the Airlift began. In the first week, they averaged only 90 tons a day, but by the second week they had reached 1,000
tons. On August 13, three aircraft crashed due to bad weather and poor visibility in Berlin. After that date, the Airlift improved in its safety rules and in the amount of supplies dropped in. One of the airlift pilots made especially sure to drop candy for a steadily-increasing group of children in Berlin.
On April 15, 1949, the Soviets, humiliated by the massive amounts of supplies flown in during April, as well as the famous Easter Parade of coal supplies, displayed a willingness to end the Blockage. It was agreed that on one minute after midnight on the 12 of May, 1949, the Soviets would lift the blockade from Berlin. Still, the Airlift continued to ensure a surplus of supplies for the people of Berlin. In total, over two million tons of supplies were delivered over a fifteen-month period, saving countless lives.
America and Britain had scaled back their armies immensely since the end of WW2, and thus had little chance of bringing help by land. Since the airways had previously been negotiated as free for all, they decided to start an airlift, which could bring in the tons of food and coal supplies needed by the citizens in U.S.- and British-occupied Berlin. A total of around 1,500 tons of food and 4,000 tons of coal needed to be dropped in each day. Both the U.S. and Britain began to work on manufacturing more and more planes that would be able to carry in all the supplies.
On July 1, 1948, the Airlift began. In the first week, they averaged only 90 tons a day, but by the second week they had reached 1,000
tons. On August 13, three aircraft crashed due to bad weather and poor visibility in Berlin. After that date, the Airlift improved in its safety rules and in the amount of supplies dropped in. One of the airlift pilots made especially sure to drop candy for a steadily-increasing group of children in Berlin.
On April 15, 1949, the Soviets, humiliated by the massive amounts of supplies flown in during April, as well as the famous Easter Parade of coal supplies, displayed a willingness to end the Blockage. It was agreed that on one minute after midnight on the 12 of May, 1949, the Soviets would lift the blockade from Berlin. Still, the Airlift continued to ensure a surplus of supplies for the people of Berlin. In total, over two million tons of supplies were delivered over a fifteen-month period, saving countless lives.
What was the Berlin Airlift?
For a very basic overview of the Berlin Airlift and the causes behind it, visit this site.
The Spirit of Freedom - The Berlin Airlift
For a more in-depth look at the airlift, the reasons behind it, and how it was carried out, visit this site.