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BERLIN: CITY HELD HOSTAGE
"1948-1959: Humanitarian Triumph"
The Berlin Airlift was one of the defining events of the Cold War. The 464-day effort to supply a city's needs solely through the air demonstrated the resolve of democratic nations to oppose communist repression. The massive humanitarian effort was an early triumph for the young U.S. Air Force, and symbolized Western commitment to rebuilding democracy in Europe after World War II.
In 1945 the Soviets, Americans, British and French divided Germany into occupation zones. Berlin, although in the Soviet zone, also was divided among the four powers. Opposing political systems and goals strained relationships between the Soviets and their recent allies as the American, British and French prepared western Germany to govern itself. The Soviets isolated Berlin by closing off ground travel to and from the city in June 1948.
Airlift was the only way to supply West Berlin and its people. The combined efforts of the newly formed USAF and other American services, plus the forces of Great Britain and France, delivered enough fuel, food and supplies to keep the city going for nearly a year. The blockade finally ended in May 1949, but the Berlin Airlift continued through September 1949. |