After World War II, the Berlin Airlift was a historic event. The activity, however, was a difficult and complicated one conducted by the Allied Forces chiefly by United States and Great Britain. This blog post will take you through the main points about the Berlin Airlift and why it was important in history.
Background
At the end of World War II Germany was divided into four occupation zones occupied by the Allied forces (the US, Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union). Just as the city of Berlin was divided among the four powers, but still deep within the Soviet zone, so was it in the Jewish sector. From June 24, 1948, begin tensions between the Soviet Union and the Western powers; the Soviets blockading West Berlin.
The Blockade
Soviet Union cut off all land and water access to West Berlin trying to force the Western powers to relinquish control over the city. As such, people of West Berlin, in whom completely relied the supplies from the Western zones of Germany, were in such a desperate situation. There were little or no food, and no fuel or medical supplies.
The Airlift Begins
The Soviet action faced by the United States and Great Britain with a plan to break the blockade. The Berlin Airlift started on June 26, 1948. We were trying to get supplies to West Berlin by air until the Soviets lifted the blockade. Tempelhof and Gatow were the two principal airfields used.
Operation Vittles
They called this piece of the airlift operation “Operation Vittles.” In transport of supplies, the American cargo planes were mainly C-47s and C-54s. Tempelhof airport was on the American sector of Berlin, so these planes landed there.
Operation Plainfare
Operation Plainfare was their name for it. A variety of aircraft was used including Avro Yorks and Handley Page Hastings. Most of the supplies were flown to Gatow airport in the British sector of Berlin.
The Challenges
On several counts, the Berlin Airlift was a challenge. The first, was the sheer amount of supplies needed to ensure the supply of a population of West Berlin. This called for a continuous and precise logistical planning. The airports, though, had limited capacity, so the planes had to land and take off every several minutes, making for an intense operation.
Navigation was also a challenge, because pilots had to fly through cramped air corridors, under poor weather conditions. To disrupt communication and radar, the Soviet Union had a goal to undermine the airlift. However, the Allied forces continued.
The Success
But the Berlin Airlift did succeed. The Western powers showed how serious they wanted to be about the people of West Berlin, about their defiance of Soviet aggression. During the airlift, which took 11 months, almost 2.3 million tons of supplies were flown.
And it was also instrumental for its success, the resilience and solidarity of the people of West Berlin. They survived rationing and made those sacrifices needed to get through the periods of the blockade.
End of the Blockade
The Soviets lifted the blockade when the airlift proved successful on May 12, 1949. The Berlin Airlift was officially over on September 30, 1949. The victory was celebrated by Western powers but West Berlin remained under Allied control.
Legacy
The Berlin Airlift left a mark. It stressed how much the Western powers were determined to defend democracy and protect the people of West Berlin. During the Cold War, and early years in particular, it became a hope and solidarity symbol.
Also, the airlift acted as a precursor to the formation of NATO within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in 1949. NATO was created so the member states would be collectively defended if attacked from outside.
Conclusion
As a remarkable undertaking it perfectly showed the creativity and determination of Allied forces. Power of association, humanity spirit. The supply shipments not only sustained people of West Berlin but also sent a strong message to the world that freedom and democracy would win.