Berlin Airlift of 1948 Begins
The Berlin Airlift began in 1948 as a critical response to Soviet actions during the early Cold War. After World War II, the city of Berlin was divided into four sectors controlled by the United States, United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. This division became a focal point of tensions, especially as the Soviets cut off ground access to West Berlin on June 24, 1948, claiming it was part of their zone in East Germany. In defiance of this blockade, the United States initiated an airlift operation, led by Air Force General Curtis LeMay, to supply over two million residents of West Berlin with essential goods such as food, clothing, and medicine. With only a few suitable airfields available in the city, the operation was logistically challenging, requiring the constant refueling and reloading of cargo planes. Despite various Soviet threats, they did not directly interfere with the airlift. This effort lasted for nearly a year and resulted in the delivery of over one and a half million tons of supplies, marking a significant achievement in aviation and a pivotal moment in Cold War history. Ultimately, the Soviet Union lifted the blockade, allowing for the resumption of ground transportation into West Berlin.
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Berlin Airlift of 1948 Begins
Berlin Airlift of 1948 Begins
In 1948, the cold war had just begun. One flash point was the divided city of Berlin. After World War II, the victorious Allies divided Nazi Germany into four zones: American, British, French, and Soviet. The first three zones would become West Germany, and the Soviet zone in the east would become East Germany. Unfortunately, the former capital of Berlin was located entirely in the Soviet zone. It too was divided into American, British, French and Soviet zones, and again the first three zones became West Berlin and the Soviet zone became East Berlin.
Isolated West Berlin was an easy target for Soviet pressure, such as cutting off supply routes. On June 24, 1948, the Soviet Union chose to do exactly that. The Soviets closed the East German roads to Western traffic, preventing supply trucks from reaching West Berlin. However, the Soviets could not prevent aircraft from flying in and out of West Berlin unless they were willing to shoot them down, a step that would almost certainly mean war with the United States.
With President Truman's approval, Air Force general Curtis LeMay began to resupply West Berlin by air. The task was a formidable one: over two million people would need food, clothing, medicine, and other supplies. Since there were only three adequate airfields in West Berlin, more would have to be built. Further, the Air Force would have to constantly refuel and reload its cargo aircraft, diverting crucial resources from the already tense military situation with the Soviets. In the meantime, negotiations with the Soviets proceeded at a snail's pace.
On July 14, 1948, the Soviets refused to lift their blockade. They claimed that West Berlin was properly part of the Soviet zone of East Germany. After consulting with its allies, the United States told the Soviets that it would continue to hold West Berlin. Further, the Air Force beefed up its fighter and bomber forces just in case war broke out. When this was accomplished, extra cargo planes were brought in to intensify the West Berlin supply missions. The Soviets made many threats, but never seriously attempted to interfere with the airlift.
The supply missions lasted for nearly a year. Finally, the Soviets relented and permitted the resumption of normal ground transportation. During the period of the airlift, over one and a half million tons of supplies were brought in, an astonishing achievement for the aircraft of the time.