From the Cold War, the Berlin Airlift – also called Operation Vittles – was an extraordinary humanitarian effort by the Western Allies. From June 24, 1948 to May 12, 1949, this occurred to bring goods to West Berliners vital provisions, as the Soviet Union had cut off the land and water routes into the city. So let’s get into the specifics of this amazing event.

Background

Following the end of World War II, Germany was divided into four occupied zones controlled by the Allied forces: Soviet Union, United Kingdom, United States and France. As was done in the city of Berlin, located deep in the Soviet zone. The Soviet Union and the Western allies’ tensions reached a crescendo culminating in the Soviet blockade of West Berlin, in an effort to exclusively control the West Berlin.

The Blockade

In response, in June, 1948, Soviet troops completely closed all road, rail, and canal traffic to West Berlin. They wanted to set Western Allies on the spot and force them to give up control over their sectors of the town. It placed two million West Berliners—scarcely with food, fuel or other vital supplies—all in dire need.

The Western Response

In the aftermath Berlin lifted against the United States, United Kingdom and France refused to abandon West Berlin and instead launched the Berlin Airlift. They set up a huge airlift for supplies coming into the city and for the city’s residents while the blockade was relieved.

The Airlift Operation

The airlift was a constant round-the-clock operation, spitting of black cargo planes, literally flowing to Cornwall. At first, supplies were brought to Tempelhof Airport, but when their amounts increased, Gatow and Tegel airports were also employed. Food, coal, medicine and other essentials got through to the people of West Berlin which the Allies were able to transport to suffuse them.

Key Figures

General Lucius D. Clay: American military governor of Germany who ordered airlift operation.

Air Commodore Reginald Waite: The British RAF commander in charge of the British airlift effort.

General William H. Tunner: General who synchronized Air Force airlift into a success throughout the scheme of things.

The Airlift: Success and End

Large challenges notwithstanding, the Berlin Airlift was an unqualified success. With the help of the relentless efforts of the Western Allies, round about 2.3 million tons of supplies were delivered to West Berlin. On May 12, 1949, the blockade was lifted by the Soviet Union, because it couldn’t accomplish what it wanted to.

Legacy

The Berlin Airlift is symbol of solidarity, cooperation and determination. In the aftermath of the Cold War, it laid down the line that would divide East from West for decades. This also highlighted humanitarian aid importance in crisis times and emphasised the support of Western Allies to democratic principles.

Conclusion

The Berlin Airlif is a miracle of human resiliance and international cooperation. It shows just how far a country will go to look after its people. The airlift was remarkable in its success and the lifting of the blockade protected freedom and security of West Berlin. The Berlin Airlift has become a cherished landmark in history, because it conveyed how power of unity and determination to the occur reality in the face of a challenge.