The Berlin Airlift or the Berlin Blockade was a humanitarian operation managed by the Western Allies in the post Second World War period. It began on 24th June, 1948 and ended on 12th February 1949 with an aimed of delivering food and other necessaries to West Berlin which was being locked down by Soviet Union.

Background

In the post war period Germany was split into four zones each controlled by the allied forces of the US, the USSR, Britain and France. While situated in the Soviet zone, Berlin too was divided into four sectors. The Cold War erupted in tension between the Soviet Union and the West Allies that in turn caused a severance of all access roadways and pathways to West Berlin with the intent of forcing the Allies out of the city completely.

The Berlin Airlift

Thus, in response to the Soviet demands instead of obeying the Western Allies initiated the Berlin Airlift. The operation in effect required delivering food, fuel, and other essentials by air to West Berlin. The airlift was a huge affair in terms of supply and demand and needed fierce cooperation between the involved countries.

Key Details and Statistics

The Berlin Airlift continued from June 24, 1948 to May 12, 1949, spanning in total 11 months.

During the airlift, it is estimated that some 277000 flights were completed.

It was possible to deliver more supplies every day: the average was 5,000 tons.

Most of these transport were accomplished in the famous C-47 and C-54 aircrafts.

The highest number of planes landing as stipulated by the berlin airlift was one airplane per 45seconds.

Challenges and Innovations

Some of the problems encountered during Berlin Airlift include; Restricted Airspace, short runway, and unforgiving climate. To overcome these obstacles, several innovative strategies were implemented:

Airlift Coordination: To achieve an effective airlift, the participating nations firmed the Allied Air Traffic Control Center and set out certain flying quotas.

Operation Vittles: The Americans referred to the airlift as operation Vitticles because it was meant to deliver food supplies to the west Berlin population.

Miniature Air Force: The Western Allies enlisted a huge number of transport aircraft equipped with bombers for the purpose of the airlift.

Tempelhof Airport: Tempelhof Airport in West Berlin was the most important civilian terminal up to this time and it formed the core of the airlift plan. They were able to supply the country because it was located at the center of the map.

Significance and Legacy

The Berlin Airlift was an outstanding success, and also proved the intent and strength of the Western Allies in the presence of the Soviet threat. The operation of the airlift was to supply West Berlin absolutely important but it also was an unequivocal declaration of the determination.

Finally, in May 1949, Soviet Union lifted the blockade on Berlin. However, the Berlin Airlift gave much more than the supplies to the West Berlin people. It solidified the divisions between Eastern and Western Germany, leading to the eventual establishment of two separate countries: the democratic west and the communistic east both in Germany.

Key Takeaways

The Berlin Airlift was humanitarian mission during the Cold war period.

One can mention that it provided necessary goods to West Berlin during the Soviet blockade.

The airlift was for 11 months and more than 270000 operational flights.

It highlighted the success in innovation and collaboration between the western allies.

This paper seeks to explain how the Berlin Airlift precipitated the division of Germany.

Conclusion

The Berlin Airlift in the year 1948 & 1949 is one of the most important moments of the cold war period. It stressed the continuity of the Western Allies’ Community on their ability to defend democracy and freedom. The success of the airlift also helped with proving that cooperation is the key weapon in the modern world, as with the airlift, supplies were brought to West Berlin that the people there needed.

Today, the Berlin Airlift has symbolized how hard and strong people involved into that conflict were. Unfortunately, only highlights that even during dreadful periods global society can cooperate and stand up against all the adversities.