Introduction
In history there was a great event called The Berlin Airlift which occur in Germany in the period after the II World War. It has become an excellent example of global synergy and desire to help. Where did the Berlin Airlift happen and what is the importance of the Berlin Airlift: these questions will be answered in the present article.
The Setting: Germany’s Divided Capital
In the aftermath of World War II, Germany was divided into four occupied zones, each controlled by the Allied powers: USA, UK, French and Soviet Union. The same as in the case of West Berlin, which despite of being located in the Soviet-occupied East Germany was also divided into four sectors, Each of them was governed according to the rights of the occupying powers.
But relations between the Soviet Union and the Allies started getting sour. The Soviets and the Western Allies had differing visions of the future of Germany, and when the Soviets blockaded West Berlin to compel the West to leave, they tried to cutoff all supply access through road, rail and canal.
The Blockade and what it means
Launched on June 24, 1948 the Berlin blockade was aimed at making the western allies to quit west Berlin or offer the Soviet union total control of the city. This strategy was one of the major challenges to the Allies in order to stay united with forces against the aggression of the Soviets.
Due to this blockade the western allies faced the following challenges. The above population of more than 2 million in West Berlin received little food, fuel, and other necessities. Of course, the blockade was an effort to tighten Soviet grip on the city; however, it caused a lot of problems to the civilians.
The Berlin Airlift: A Humanitarian Response
Facing this crisis, the Western Allies led by United States and United Kingdom put an exceptional effort. Then they started an extensive organised airlifting to evacuate West Berlin and provide for the needs of its inhabitants.
Operation Vittles: The Airlift Begins
Late in the evening of June 24, 1948, the Soviets commenced their blockade of West Berlin the Berlin Airlift or Operation Vittles started on June 26, 1948. Cargo planes started delivering much needed supplies to West Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport and other airstrips in order to feed the people.
The airlift operation was not only innovative and determined but it also had a great deal of logistics to solve many problems. American and British planes, with helps from the French and other nations, never ceased to drop barrels of fuel, boxes of foods, bottles of medicine, and a lot of other essentials to West Berlin.
However filled with obstacles and dangers the airlift was, it can be pointed out that it was a success. More flights were organized and the efficiency of the flights was doubled by the western Allies and thus very nearly lasted one year in sustaining the people of West Berlin.
Tempelhof Airport: The Iconic Hub
Tempelhof Airport was very important during the Berlin Airlift operation. Sitting in the American zone of West Berlin it was to become the main staging post for the airlift. The transport of supplies to the civilians was easily made since the airport was only located a short distance from the city central business district.
Tempelhof developed a 24-hour operative tempo, where freighters taxied to and fro within minutes at accurately synchronized intervals. With all its history of being one of the unique architectural pieces of Europe, the airport held even more importance during this period.
The Same under the Angels of the Berlin Airlift
Finally, the Berlin Airlift became a symbolic victory of a great determination and unity as well as strict cooperation of the countries in front of all the challenges. The airlift received international focus on the suffering West Berliner and became a symbol of freedom of West in Cold War time.
The Soviet Union ended it in May 1949 after realizing it had not succeeded in its aim of making West Berlin a besieged city. Nevertheless, it was carried out for several months, until September of that year, in order to establish a track record of supply and the stability of the situation in the city.
The Lessons Learned
The Berlin Airlift has given us some useful lessons. It photographed the spirit of people and the need of cooperation during the uncertain period in the world. Moreover, having successfully complete the airlift, the post revealed the importance of humanitarianism, to relieve the needFree of refugees that are trapped in political tensions.
A Symbol of Unity
Indeed the Berlin Airlift is a vivid reminder of a very successful story of unity and determination. This one presents a message that the western Allies were fully determined to guarantee freedom and assist the require, despite the odds.
In Conclusion
The Berlin Airlift occurred in 1948/49 in West Berlin, a city severed from the rest of the world by the newly established Soviet controlled East Germany. The event was not only a matter of supplies but also the determination of the Western Allies not only to continue fight for freedom but to have the will to supply millions of enclosed Berliners.
The Berlin Airlift is now arguably considered one of the simplest humanitarian operations in history. It is still a great showcase of unity, cooperation and ability to withstand some considerable adversities of the contemporary world.
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