Introduction
The Berlin airlift was an outstanding and rather shocking civil and logistical operation that was conducted during 1948-1949 when the Cold War was in its peak. In response to the situation the Soviet Union isolated West Berlin by blocking all rail, highway, and water access the United States and its allies initiate an airlift to deliver food supplies. Nevertheless, the airlift was a great success and demonstrated the intention and creativity of its participants. In this article the author will discuss What were the significant factors that led the Berlin Airlift to be successful?
The Soviet Blockade
In June 1948, the Soviet Union cut off all the road and water ways to West Berlin hoping that the western powers would give up the city. With roads and canals in the possession of the Soviet Union the only way left, open for the people of West Berlin was through the skies. The Soviets felt that by severing supplies they would force the western allies into submission and gain control of the whole city.
The Response
The launching of the blockade came as a surprise to the western powers but this did not take them long to react. Encouraged and directed by the United States of America, there was a massive airlift operation to save West Berlin from dying. It was, however, an overwhelming response, as the first flights landed in days after the blockade announcement.
1. Constant Operation
Another of the essential conditions that helped Berlin airlift was its 24-hour working mode. Night and day, pilots and crews flew in and out of West Berlin making sure supply shipments reached the besieged city. This constant operation greatly augmented the capability of supplying the important commodities so that the people of West Berlin never felt the scarcity.
2. The Airlift Infrastructure
Laying the foundation for the airlift was not easy at all. Some of the airfields near West Berlin were turned into busiest centers of activity and motion, busy with cargoes’ planes arrival In operation, certain improvement had to be made temporarily, such as widening of the airfields or construction of new terminals or refinements of the means and methods for handling and dispatching of supplies. It was only by the hard work of the pilots, ground crews and support staffs that the airlift could have been effected smoothly.
3. The Aircraft Fleet
Other factors that led to the success of the Berlin airlift include; the availability of a variety of aircraft. Different sorts of planes were used, such as the well-known Douglas C-47 Skytrain and the bigger C-54 Skymaster. This was because C-54s proved to be more useful than the C-47s in terms of load carrying as well as performance, hence assortments of larger quantity could be supplied to West Berlin quickly and efficiently.
The Importance of Unity
The Berlin Airlift proved that the world was united and could come to the aid of one another. United States with help of other Western Allies had an intention to help the people of West Berlin. The essence of unity; of purpose, of action, served a critical purpose in the total success of the operation. The airlift demonstrated the will power of the free world against aggression from the Soviets.
The Impact
The decision to brand it a success has a number of implications as a result of the successful ending of the Berlin Airlift. Not only did it guaranteed the existence of West Berlin, but it also cause a serious embarrassment to the Soviet Union. By the end of the international intervention, hearsay was seen the determination of the western powers coupled with enhanced credibility. Changes of the Cold War geopolitics took place as East and west Germany started to entrench themselves as two distinct states.
Conclusion
Some analysis of the Berlin airlift can be prepared in advance of the theoretical or actual supply of the same based on what was achieved in later years, as a spectacular one. During the operation the delivery of supplies amounted to about 2,3 million tons to West Berlin to ensure it had sufficient resources it needed. Consequently, the airlift’s needs relied on continuous running, the provision of an extensive support structure, and a broad range of transport aircraft. Furthermore, the West also had unity and determination in holding the operation which also go a long way in ensuring that the goals of the operation was meet. The Berlin airlift therefore, stands testimony to the success brought, by the valor, and collaboration of mankind.
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