The Berlin Airlift was a Cold War event. It was a gigantic task to get food and other essential supplies to people in West Berlin when Soviet troops cut off surface access to the city. It was an airlift that went on for almost a year, from 1948 to 1949, and in the process it helped shape the post World War Two world. In this article, I will take you through the history of the Berlin Airlift and focus on the apex of the Berlin Airlift.

Berlin Airlift background.

After World War II, Berlin became the site of a conflict between the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain and France. There were two cities in Berlin divided: one, West Berlin, was under Allied control, while East Berlin was under Soviet control. When the Soviets cut off all land routes to force Western powers out of the city tensions rose.

The Apex: Operation Vittles

The Soviet blockade was the cause of Operation Vittles, also known as the Berlin Airlift. Its objective was to keep the food and fuel and other necessities flowing to the citizens of West Berlin through an intensive airlift operation.

Duration of the Airlift

On June 24, 1948 the Berlin Airlift began and ended May 12, 1949. It took 11 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days in total. During this time, there were efforts that never stopped to supply the people of West Berlin with needed goods to survive.

Significance of the Airlift

It was a powerful symbol of unity, and determination and humanitarian aid in profound form. It showed Western powers were willing to stand with and not be intimidated by the peoples of West Berlin against the intransigence of Soviet aggression. The operation was successful and these failures of the Soviet blockade culminated in its lift in May 1949.

Key Statistics and Facts

Here are some essential statistics and facts about the Berlin Airlift:

• More than 277,000 flights were used for the airlift.
• C-47s, C-54s and British Avro Yorks, were the aircraft used in the operation.
• On April 16, 1949, 1,398 flights were made in a single day.
• About 8,000 tons were delivered per day.

Legacy of the Berlin Airlift

It helped shape global politics and Americans’ perception of the United States. Some of its key legacies include:

• The formation of NATO: The Berlin Airlift was very important to convince Western powers to become united in a military alliance, and thus form the NATO in 1949.
• The symbolic power of humanitarian aid: The humanitarian aid itself became a strategic tool and helped shape wider pictures of perception.
• The division of Germany: The Berlin blockade and the following airlift cemented East and West Germany. It would remain divided until 1990 when it was reunified.

Conclusion

It is a time when the Western powers rose to the occasion and strong armed their way through Soviet aggression to deliver essential supplies to the people of the condemned city of West Berlin. Success of the airlift proved how unity, determination and humanitarian help may be power. It left a lasting legacy extending its influence for years to come and influencing international alliances, as well as the perception of the United States by others.