The Cold War Berlin Airlift which is also referred to as Operation Vittles occurred in historical manner between 1948-1949. This activity defined the post war world and challenged the western democracies to fight Soviet designs.

Berlin Airlift Part I. Facts and eventsjango, The origins of the Berlin Airlift

In the aftermath of World War II, Germany was divided into four zones occupied by the victorious Allied powers: the United States, the Soviet Union and, the United Kingdom, and France. Germany was also divided into four zones and this, the city of Berlin which lies deep inside the Soviet zone was also equally divided into four sectors.

Soviet Union and the west powers were flexing muscles to take over the whole island as the tensions between the two were rising. To weaken West Berlin, in June 1948 Soviet Union blocked all the supply routes for any items and individuals to or from West Berlin.

The Response: Airlifting Supplies

Thus, an ultimate task to deliver food and other essentials to West Berlintes was to be solved with the help of an elaborate plan of an airlift. On June 26, 1948, planes of the United States, UK, France, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand started a non-stop attempt to prevent West Berlin from falling into the Soviet embrace.

Berlin Airlift was and is still considered as one of the greatest sea and air logistical exercises of all times. Many of these planes were ex-military models like C-47s and C-54s which worked day and night, day and night taking food, coal and other essentials. These planes would be landing every few minutes at the Berlin airports – Tempelhof and Gatow, where a good stretch of the ground crew offloaded and distributed the supplies.

This paper argues that the Berlin Airlift was Importance for the following reasons.

The Berlin Airlift also fulfilled two important functions. On the first level it maintained the lives of the West Berlin people by providing them with food, medicine and fuel. This showed the western powers’ willingness to protect the principle of democracy against the soviet expansionism.

Secondly, the Berlin Airlift served to undermine the Soviet’s authority in East Germany. The Soviet Union had hoped that by sieging West Berlin of food it could make the West powers give up on the city they wanted. However, the success of the airlift debunk the lies told by the Soviets and made clear a simple message; Soviet oppression and Western liberty.

The Aftermath

After about a year of soaring air- lift supplies, on May 12, 1949 the Soviet Union lifted the blockade of West Berlin. The Sear of the Berlin Airlift showcased success for the United States and its allies, established a divided Germany post war, and paved way for the construction the Berlin Wall in 1961.

Legacy and Lessons Learned

The Berlin Airlift is remembered as one of the most important philanthropic operations which define the history of humanity. It taught the masses the essence of unity, hard work, and perseverance no matter the challenges that come their way. It also pinned devotion for continuing to strengthen acquaintances and holding aggression if in control to support the principles of democracy.

The lessons that can be learned from the Berlin Airlift remain fully relevant to this day. This is reminder that the democratic freedom which we usually enjoy should not be an automatic given but something that has to be fought for relentlessly.