Berlin AirliftBerlin Airlift

1948-19491948-1949

BackgroundBackground

There were many questions facing the There were many questions facing the Allies following World War IIAllies following World War II

One of the biggest involved what should One of the biggest involved what should be done with Germanybe done with Germany– Having suffered from German Aggression Having suffered from German Aggression

twice in the first half of the 20twice in the first half of the 20 thth Century, Century, France and the USSR wanted a weakened France and the USSR wanted a weakened GermanyGermany

The SolutionThe Solution

Create occupation zones based on the way in Create occupation zones based on the way in which the armies had entered the countrywhich the armies had entered the country

The Soviets received the agricultural areas in The Soviets received the agricultural areas in the east, the British received the industrial areas the east, the British received the industrial areas to the north, and the Americans received the to the north, and the Americans received the scenic areas to the south. scenic areas to the south.

The French zone was later carved out of part of The French zone was later carved out of part of the American zone.the American zone.

Occupation Zones in GermanyOccupation Zones in Germany

BerlinBerlin

The city of Berlin was The city of Berlin was to remain the capital, to remain the capital, and although it was and although it was situated deep within situated deep within the Soviet zone, it the Soviet zone, it became a divided became a divided city, with the western city, with the western half occupied by the half occupied by the British, the United British, the United States, and the States, and the FrenchFrench

Although the western allies had territory in Although the western allies had territory in Berlin, there was never an agreement with Berlin, there was never an agreement with the Soviets to allow surface access into the Soviets to allow surface access into the city.the city.

In the interest of safety, however, an In the interest of safety, however, an agreement was reached establishing air agreement was reached establishing air corridors to and from the city.corridors to and from the city.

The Allies wanted five The Allies wanted five corridors, but the corridors, but the Soviet Union only Soviet Union only agreed to threeagreed to three

Two were in the Two were in the British Zone, one in British Zone, one in the Americanthe American

Each corridor was 20 Each corridor was 20 miles widemiles wide

Two airbases existed Two airbases existed in West Berlinin West Berlin

Tempelhof in the Tempelhof in the American Sector American Sector

Gatow in the British Gatow in the British SectorSector

What Caused the Blockade?What Caused the Blockade?

Europe was not recovering from the war Europe was not recovering from the war as quickly as hopedas quickly as hopedThe United States came up with the idea The United States came up with the idea of combining the three western zones into of combining the three western zones into “Trizonia” to help Germany recover“Trizonia” to help Germany recoverThe Soviet Union, opposed Germany unity The Soviet Union, opposed Germany unity and imposed a short, possible test, and imposed a short, possible test, blockade in April 1948, preventing blockade in April 1948, preventing supplies from reaching Berlinsupplies from reaching Berlin

The Western zones decided to replace the The Western zones decided to replace the nearly worthless German currency with new nearly worthless German currency with new money, a move the Soviets ferociously opposedmoney, a move the Soviets ferociously opposed

In response, the Soviets imposed a total ground In response, the Soviets imposed a total ground blockade in July 1948.blockade in July 1948.

The purpose was not to drive the western allies The purpose was not to drive the western allies out of Germany, but rather to force their hand.out of Germany, but rather to force their hand.

Click below to hear Truman’s explanation of the Click below to hear Truman’s explanation of the blockade.blockade.

What is a President to Do?What is a President to Do?

Truman’s advisors offered many solutions:Truman’s advisors offered many solutions:

Lucius Clay, Military Governor of Germany wanted to force a convoy into Berlin, risking World War III, but the British said no

The British suggested that the Allies use an airlift to supply Berlin to buy time for negotiations with the Soviets.

What began as a temporary measure, What began as a temporary measure, grew into one of the greatest logistical grew into one of the greatest logistical feats ever attempted.feats ever attempted.

Though the two airports in Berlin had only Though the two airports in Berlin had only one runway each, the allies began airlifting one runway each, the allies began airlifting supplies into Berlinsupplies into Berlin

The SolutionThe Solution

Using the northern and Using the northern and southern corridors to southern corridors to enter Berlin and the enter Berlin and the center corridor to exit, the center corridor to exit, the Allies began sending Allies began sending planes into the ravaged planes into the ravaged citycityBefore long the planes Before long the planes were landing every three were landing every three minutes, each one minutes, each one bringing ten tons of bringing ten tons of needed suppliesneeded supplies

Conditions in BerlinConditions in Berlin

People were living on as little as 1000 to 1500 calories per day even before the blockade

The Allies determined they needed to supply at least 1700 calories a day to the 2.3 million people residing in West Berlin

This video, made by Gail Halvorsen (the This video, made by Gail Halvorsen (the Candy Bomber) illustrates the conditions Candy Bomber) illustrates the conditions he observed as a pilot flying goods into he observed as a pilot flying goods into Berlin.Berlin.

The End of the BlockadeThe End of the Blockade

In spite of the obstacles involved, the Berlin In spite of the obstacles involved, the Berlin Airlift was maintained and the Soviets Airlift was maintained and the Soviets eventually gave up and removed the eventually gave up and removed the blockadeblockade

Click Click herehere to hear President to hear President

Truman announce the end of Truman announce the end of

the blockade on May 12, 1949the blockade on May 12, 1949

Between the 25th of June 1948 and the 1st of August 1949, two million two hundred thousand occupants of West Berlin were supplied 2,223,000 short tons of supplies in 266.600 flights.

  Mileposts

 

18th February 1949

First million short tons delivered.

2nd July 1949 

Second million short tons delivered.

5th August 1949

Two and a quarter million tons delivered to Berlin.

Total Tonnage by Commodity:

US British

Coal 1,421,730 164,800

Food 296,303  241,713

Military Supplies

   --- 18,239

Miscellaneous 65,540 25,202

Wet Fuel    --- 92,282

Total 1,783,573 542,236

 

Total Combined Tonnage 2,325,809 short tons 

While the Statistics are impressiveWhile the Statistics are impressive

The main things the airlift provided the The main things the airlift provided the people of Berlin were:people of Berlin were:

HOPE and FREEDOMHOPE and FREEDOM