It involved the division and isolation and was between June 1948 and September 1949. It was extraordinary political show of unity and supplies’ delivery to the people of West Berlin, that were surrounded by Soviet invested East Germany.

Background

We must go back to the end of WW2 to see what led to the Berlin Airlift as historical antecedents. Germany as well as the capital city of Berlin was divided into four occupied zones. Squabbles among the Allied Powers notably- the United States, Great Britain, France and Soviet Union signaled the begin of the Cold War.

The Blockade

Apparently, in order to gain total control of Berlin, the Soviet Union sealed all the roads and waterways to the West Berlin on the 24th of June, 1948. The objective was to surround West Berlin as the eastern part of the city was run by the Western Allies.

The Response

As a result of the blockade the Western Allies staged the Berlin Airlift. To summarise the main goal, the mission was to transport food, fuel and other needs of the people in West Berlin. It was a very enormous exercise that needed the collaboration of different countries which was indeed any possible then.

Operation Vittles

The Berlin Airlift is often known by the Allied nickname ‘Operation Vittles’ given by USA and ‘Operation Plainfare’ given by UK. There was no other humanitarian intervention of such scale and success in the history.

Efforts and Statistics

It was a highly massive undertakings. More than 200 000 flights were performed, and different airplanes were rising and descending every several minutes. The airlift ferried 2,300,000 tons of supplies during the time span of 15 months.

Indeed, to better control this task, specific air ways were created to regulate flight patterns. The aircraft were helped by the air traffic controllers who were tirelessly keeping the aircraft safe throughout the night. Yet, the airlift remained relatively safe and very efficient under all the odds projected to it.

Importance and Termination of Airlift

The Berlin Airlift brought to success the fight against the Soviet blockade of West Berlin and allowed for the delivery of food supplies to the population of West Berlin. It portrayed the Western Allies’ intent and purpose to resist Soviet expansionism.

The airlift was stopped on September 30, 1949, when the blockade was finally raised. But there continued the polarisation between East and West Germany and finally the Berlin Wall was built in 1961.

Legacy

The Berlin Airlift left a lasting impact on international relations and human history:

At the same time, the construction of the Wall gave West Berliners a powerful source of confort and cohesion.

It emphasized the fact that Haiti was the symbol of the potential of humanitarian aid to bring good will and people together.

It was influential in the process of forming people’s attitudes and combating with the Soviet penetration.

Lessons Learned

One can also conclude that diplomacy, negotiation, and cooperation were possibly the best ways out of the Berlin Airlift situation. And as it stands it can be viewed as an indicator to the fact that human beings have never run away from challenges but rather rise to the occasion.

Personal Stories

During the Berlin Airlift many stories have come out in the open that embraces the heroism of the pilots and the ground crew. These personal accounts represent something that can only be described as human endeavour and the price paid for achieving mission.

Conclusion

The Berlin Airlift is an example with implications and a result that served as a turning point in unearthing the defense mechanisms of a nation. It has been a model of charity and mutual assistance that may be the only one to speak about in terms of a success. The things that were done and what remained kept on being a lesson and as well living testimonial of courage and endurance of the spirit of mankind.