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In 1948 the Soviet Union imposed a blockade on West Berlin. The Americans, British and French responded with an unprecedented airlift operation and supplied the city over the time of nearly a year.
Video
Overview
- Date: 24 Jun 1948 – 12 May 1949
- Location: Berlin
- Event: Soviet Union blockades Berlin & the western allies supply the city through an airlift operation
Parties & Persons Involved
- Berlin
- USA
- United Kingdom
- France
- Soviet Union
- Lucius D. Clay (1897 – 1978), U.S. Military Governor
- William H. Tunner (1906 – 1983), CO of the Berlin Airlift
Background
- After World War II Germany is divided into 4 occupation zones
- Berlin is also divided into 4 sectors & is an enclave in the soviet occupation zone
- Soviet Union establishes satellite states in eastern Europe / eastern bloc
- Growing tension between the former allies: USA, UK & France vs. Soviet Union
- Attempts to create a (West-) German state integrated in the West
History
- 23 Feb – 02 Jun 1948: London 6-Power Conference with the following results:
- Foundation of a democratic & federal state in (West-) Germany
- Integration in the west of the new state
- 21 Jun 1948: Currency reform & introduction of the Deutsche Mark in West Germany
- 23 Jun 1948: Announcement that the D-Mark will be introduced into West Berlin
- 24 Jun 1948: Soviet Union blockades West Berlin
- 26 Jun 1948: US Air Force starts operation Vittels – Relief flights to Tempelhof
- 28 Jun 1948: Royal Air Force starts the operation Plain Fare – Relief flights to Gatow & Water planes fly to the river Havel & lake Wannsee
- 05 Aug 1948: The French construct a runway for Tegel airport
- 05 Nov 1948: 1. Flight of the Armee de l‘Air to Tegel
- 04 May 1949: Jessup-Malik-Agreement between the USA & the Soviet Union to end the blockade
- 12 May 1949: Soviet Union ends the Berlin Blockade
- 12 May 1949: The 1st British relief convoy rolls to Berlin
- 30 Sep 1949: Last relief flight to Berlin after 3-month contingency reserve is built
Consequences & Impact
- 1st peak of the Cold War
- Further hardening of the anti-communist attitude in West Germany
- Turning point of the relation between Germans & western allies who are now perceived as allies & protecting powers rather than as occupiers
- Berlin Blockade & Berlin Airlift are influential on:
- Foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany (Constitution takes effect on 24 May 1949)
- Foundation of NATO (04 Apr 1949)
- Rearmament & NATO membership of Germany