what was the berlin airlift?

Question

what was the berlin airlift? how did the crisis begin? what resulted from its conclusion?

short answers!

Answer 1

Berlin airlift

On June 24, 1948, the Soviet Union blocked access to the three Western-held sectors of Berlin, which was deep within the Soviet zone of Germany, by cutting off all rail and road routes going through Soviet-controlled territory in Germany. The Western powers had never negotiated a pact with the Soviets guaranteeing these rights. Amid the fallout of the London Conference, the Soviets now rejected arguments that occupation rights in Berlin and the use of the routes during the previous three years had given the West legal claim to unimpeded use of the highways and railroads.

The commander of the U.S. occupation zone in Germany, General Lucius D. Clay, proposed sending a large armoured column driving peacefully, as a moral right, down the Autobahn from West Germany to West Berlin, but prepared to defend itself if it were stopped or attacked. President Harry S. Truman, however, following the consensus in Washington, believed this entailed an unacceptable risk of war. Truman stated, "It is too risky to engage in this due to the consequence of war". Clay was told to take advice from General Curtis LeMay, commander of United States Air Forces in Europe, to see if an airlift was possible. By chance, General Albert Wedemeyer, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, was in Europe on an inspection tour when the crisis occurred. He had been commander of the U.S. China Theater in 1944–1945 and had an intimate knowledge of the World War II Allied airlift from India over the Hump of the Himalayas. He was in favour of the airlift option and knew the best person to run the operation: Lt. General William H. Tunner was charged with organizing and commanding the Berlin airlift because of his experience in commanding and organizing the airlift over the Hump.[1]

On June 24, 1948 LeMay appointed Brigadier General Joseph Smith, who was the Commander of the Wiesbaden Military Post, as the Task Force Commander of the airlift. At that time the airlift was expected to last three weeks. General Smith named the airlift 'Operation Vittles' because "we're hauling grub". Thirty-two C-47 cargo planes took off on June 26, 1948 hauling 80 tons of cargo including milk, flour, and medicine. In order to accommodate the large number of flights, required maintenance schedules, and cargo loading times, General Smith developed a complex schedule and pattern for arranging flights. Three air corridors were created and aircraft was scheduled to takeoff every three minutes flying 500 feet higher than the previous flight. This pattern began at 5000 feet and was repeated five times. [2]After it became clear that the airlift was expected to continue for significantly longer than the original three weeks, Lt. General William H. Tunner of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) took over the operation on July 27, 1948. General Tunner had significant experience in commanding and organizing the airlift over the Hump.[3]

When the American Forces consulted the British Royal Air Force about a possible joint airlift, they learned that the RAF was already running an airlift in support of their own troops. Further, the British informed the Americans that during the Small Berlin Blockade, earlier that year, British Air Commodore Rex Waite had calculated the resources required to support the entire city. His calculations indicated it would be possible. Given the feasibility assessment, the British and Americans agreed to start a joint operation without delay.
U.S. Air Force pilot Gail Halvorsen who pioneered the idea of dropping candy bars and bubble gum with little handmade miniature parachutes, which later became known as Operation Little Vittles
U.S. Air Force pilot Gail Halvorsen who pioneered the idea of dropping candy bars and bubble gum with little handmade miniature parachutes, which later became known as Operation Little Vittles
Berlin Airlift Monument in Berlin-Tempelhof, displaying the names of the 39 British and 31 U.S.-American pilots who lost their lives during the operation. Similar monuments can be found at the military airfield Wietzenbruch near Celle and at Rhein-Main Air Base.
Berlin Airlift Monument in Berlin-Tempelhof, displaying the names of the 39 British and 31 U.S.-American pilots who lost their lives during the operation. Similar monuments can be found at the military airfield Wietzenbruch near Celle and at Rhein-Main Air Base.
Berlin Airlift Monument in Berlin-Tempelhof with inscription "They lost their lives for the freedom of Berlin in service for the Berlin Airlift 1948/49"
Berlin Airlift Monument in Berlin-Tempelhof with inscription "They lost their lives for the freedom of Berlin in service for the Berlin Airlift 1948/49"

On June 25, 1948 Clay gave the order to launch a massive airlift using both civil and military aircraft (ultimately lasting 321 days) that flew supplies into the Western-held sectors of Berlin over the blockade during 1948–1949. The first plane flew on the following day, and the first British aeroplane flew on the 28th. This aerial supplying of West Berlin became known as the Berlin Airlift. Military confrontation loomed while Truman embarked on a highly visible move which would publicly humiliate the Soviets. The U.S. action was given the name "Operation Vittles," and the British one was called "Plain Fare."

Alongside the British and U.S. troops were pilots from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa running the airlift. The French Air Force, meanwhile, was fully consumed in the First Indochina War, so it could only bring up some old Ju52 to support its own troops. However, France agreed to build a new and larger airport in its sector, on the shores of Lake Tegel. French military engineers were able to complete the construction in less than 90 days. The airfield evolved after the crisis into the Berlin-Tegel International Airport, the largest airport of the town today.

Hundreds of aircraft, nicknamed Rosinenbomber ("raisin bombers") by the local population, were used to fly in a wide variety of cargo, ranging from large containers to small packets of candy with tiny individual parachutes intended for the children of Berlin (an idea of a pilot named Gail Halvorsen that soon gained popular support in the U.S.). Sick children were evacuated on return flights. The aircraft were supplied and flown by the United States, United Kingdom and France, but pilots and crew also came from Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand in order to assist the supply of Berlin. Ultimately 278,228 flights were made and 2,326,406 tons of food and supplies, including more than 1.5 million tons of coal, were delivered to Berlin.[1]

On April 4, 1949, the Western powers signed the North Atlantic Treaty founding NATO, declaring that an attack on any one would be considered an attack against them all.

At the height of the operation, on April 16, 1949, an allied aircraft landed in Berlin every minute, with 1,398 flights in 24 hours carrying 12,940 tons (13,160 t) of goods, coal and machinery, beating the record of 8,246 (8,385 t) set only days earlier.

The USSR lifted its blockade at midnight, on May 11, 1949. However, the airlift did not end until September 30, 1949, as the Western states wanted to build up sufficient amounts of supplies in West Berlin in case the Soviets blockaded it again.

The three major Berlin airfields involved were Tempelhof, in the American Sector, Gatow in the British and Tegel in the French. Operational control of the three allied airlift corridors was given to BARTCC (Berlin Air Route Traffic Control Center) air traffic control located at Tempelhof. Diplomatic approval authority was granted to a secretive four-power organization also located in the American sector. It was called the Berlin Air Safety Center (BASC).

Answer 2

Berlin airlift, 1948–49, supply of vital necessities to West Berlin by air transport primarily under U.S. auspices. It was initiated in response to a land and water blockade of the city that had been instituted by the Soviet Union in the hope that the Allies would be forced to abandon West Berlin. The massive effort to supply the 2 million West Berliners with food and fuel for heating began in June, 1948, and lasted until Sept., 1949, although the Russians lifted the blockade in May of that year. During the around-the-clock airlift some 277,000 flights were made, many at 3-min intervals. By spring, 1949, an average of 8,000 tons was being flown in daily. More than 2 million tons of goods—of which coal accounted for about two thirds—were delivered.

Answer 3

Berlin is really a vivant, passionately and addictive city, an area that's only great for spend the vacation. Find out more with hotelbye . In Berlin you will only appreciate their renowned sights, its large swathes of green, its sky bars and stylish restaurants. Berlin is really a major centre of politics, culture, press, and science. Noted for the social flair, Berlin is home to the planet famous Berlin Opera and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, while their varied art scene encompasses countless galleries, functions, and museums, including these centred on Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But, nothing claims Berlin such as the Brandenburg Gate, long the city's most defining monument and their reply to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Brandenburg Gate was built for King Frederick Wilhelm II in 1791 and today en days continue being an essential image with many famous readers like: Statement Clinton and Barack Obama.

Answer 4

It was a feeding mission for Berlin while West Germany was under Russian control. Berlin was in the middle of that section and the cold war was going on at the time.

Answer 5

Berlin was divided among the 4 winners of world war II...US, Eng., France, USSR. The surrounding countryside was all held by USSR. They shut the roads and rails, trying to force the other 3 countries to give them Berlin. US used its military planes to bring in food and supplies.