AIRLIFT
The city was already divided along political borders, for a military alliance between the Western powers (the occupation sector was also allocated to France), and the Soviet Union collapsed, and a new era of conflict began, which how often was supposed to center in Berlin. The Allied Control Council met one last time 20 brand, when Marshal Sokołowski, Soviet Military Governor, he protested against attempts by the British and Americans to introduce economic reforms in their sectors of occupation.
Over the next few months, the tension grew, because the Allies carried out reforms despite their protest, while the Russians applied for the right to control Allied trains to Berlin and 16 June left the meeting of the Commandant of the four powers, who had power over Berlin. The crisis occurred with the introduction of the western brand in the western zone (23 June 1948). On the same day, the Soviets presented the mayor of Berlin with an ultimatum demanding the introduction of Ostmark as the city-wide currency.. The motion was voted on in parliament, which overwhelmingly voted against the currency proposed by the Soviets.
Everyone knew, that it is calling a wolf out of the forest and this one did not keep us waiting long. At night with 23 on 24 In June, power plants in the Soviet zone cut off electricity supplies to the western part of the city and severed rail connections between the western part of Germany and Berlin. It was the beginning of the blockade of Berlin, the first Soviet attempt to oust the Western powers from Berlin. Ernst Reuter z SPD. who would soon become mayor of Berlin, addressed the crowd on the soccer field in Gesundbrunnen and promised, that Berlin will "fight to the last strength”.
Food supplies for a month remained in the city, and coal for ten days. The British and Americans realized, that they must keep West Berlin alive, but they refused to use the army to break into the city with supplies. After reflection, it was decided to deliver by air, for it was judged, that the Soviets would not dare to intercept Allied planes. However, there were serious doubts, can you keep 2.000.000 millions of people by air supplies. The only previous operation of this type on a similar scale - deliveries to the German Sixth Army at Stalingrad - ended in a complete failure. Calculated, that Berlin's needs are 4000 tons of supplies per day, and the available planes were only able to carry 500 your.
Mimo that 26 June 1948 In the year, air deliveries to Berlin began, which soon gained momentum. The Soviets kept the blockade and hinted, that they consider Germany divided, and Berlin as the capital of its part. The Americans brought in huge C54 Skymaster transporters to help the smaller C47 and Dakota, which first landed in Berlin. Soon, this operation was performed with regular precision around the clock. In October, planes landed every three minutes, bringing 4760 tons of food and fuel per day. The winter was extremely hard. Power shutdowns and harsh food rationing lowered living standards to post-war levels. The Russians allowed shopping in the eastern part of the city, but relatively few Berliners took advantage of this opportunity. In municipal elections 7 On December Ernst Reuter of the SPD became mayor of West Berlin, becoming something of a living symbol of the city's endurance.
Spring 1949 In the year, planes landed and took off every thirty seconds, moving 8000 tons per day. On Easter, the Allies carried out a special operation to raise morale and to taunt the Soviets. W 24 hours delivered to Berlin 13.000 tons of goods. Soon after, the Soviets gave up and 12 May lifted the blockade. The first trucks and trains, which reached Berlin, were greeted with a frenetic ovation. Air deliveries continued for four months, to be ready in case the lock is restored. Although the airlift cost the lives of forty-eight pilots and millions of dollars, however, it thwarted Stalin's attempt to oust the Allies from West Berlin and constituted a severe propaganda defeat for the Soviets. Also as a result of this operation, the Berliners ceased to perceive in the allied occupiers, and they saw friends.