The Berlin Airlift
Western Allies airlifted supplies to blockaded West Berlin for 15 months.
The Berlin Airlift (German: Berliner Luftbrücke, lit. The airlift supplied the people of West Berlin with food, fuel, and other necessities, and became a defining event of the early Cold War.
- primary_cargo
- coal (nearly two-thirds of total)
- aircraft_crashes
- 25 (17 American, 8 British)
Lore & Background
Among the operations was the concurrent Operation Little Vittles, in which candy-dropping aircraft dubbed "raisin bombers" generated much goodwill among German children. At the height of the airlift, one plane reached West Berlin every thirty seconds. British transports, including Handley Page Haltons and Short Sunderlands, also flew. Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and South African air crews assisted the RAF, while the French air force conducted flights only to supply its own military garrison.
Reader's Guide
The Berlin Airlift was a pivotal event in the early Cold War, demonstrating the Western Allies' commitment to defending West Berlin against Soviet pressure. It served to highlight the competing ideological and economic visions for postwar Europe. The airlift's success, despite the logistical challenges of supplying a city of 2.8 million people, underscored the effectiveness of Allied cooperation and air power. It also generated significant goodwill among Germans, particularly through initiatives like Operation Little Vittles. The blockade and airlift solidified Berlin's status as a symbol of Cold War division and Western resolve.
Did You Know?
- At the height of the airlift, one plane reached West Berlin every thirty seconds.
- Operation Little Vittles involved candy-dropping aircraft called 'raisin bombers' that generated goodwill among German children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is The Berlin Airlift considered important in Cold War history?
The airlift demonstrated that the Western Allies could sustain a besieged population through sheer logistical determination, turning what the Soviets expected to be a political concession into a major propaganda victory. It cemented the division of Berlin into East and West and became one of the defining early confrontations of the Cold War.
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