What Happened On June 24th?
On June 24, 1948, the Soviet Union initiated the Berlin Blockade, aiming to force the Allied powers out of Berlin. This aggressive move set the stage for a dramatic showdown in Europe and tested the resolve of the Western Allies.
A Divided Germany’s Brewing Storm
After World War II, Germany lay in ruins, divided into four zones controlled by the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain, and France. Berlin, located deep within the Soviet zone, was also split among the four powers. Tensions grew as ideological differences between the Western Allies and the Soviets became clear.
By 1947, relations between the former wartime allies had deteriorated. The United States and Britain sought to revive Germany’s economy through the Marshall Plan, which provided financial aid to war-torn Europe. The Soviets saw these efforts as a threat to their influence in Eastern Europe. In response, they tightened their grip on their occupied territories and pushed for a communist government in East Germany.
Currency Clash
The first incentive for the Berlin Blockade was due to a new currency, the Deutsche Mark, in the Western zones of Germany on June 20, 1948. The Soviets saw this move as a threat to their control over East Germany. In retaliation, they announced a blockade of all rail, road, and water access to the Allied sectors of Berlin.
On June 24, 1948, the Soviets cut off all land routes to West Berlin, halting the flow of essential supplies, including food, fuel, and medical provisions. This action aimed to pressure the Western Allies to abandon their foothold in the city and cede control to the Soviets.
The blockade also disrupted postal services, blocking mail trains and cutting off communication between Berlin and the rest of the world.
Berliners Besieged
The sudden blockade caught the residents of West Berlin off guard. Approximately 2.5 million people found themselves isolated, with only 36 days’ worth of food and 45 days’ worth of coal. The Western Allies faced a challenge: support the besieged city without starting a broader conflict with the Soviet Union.
General Lucius D. Clay, the American military governor in Germany, believed that withdrawing from Berlin would mean the end of Western influence in Europe. He stated, “We are convinced that our remaining in Berlin is essential to our prestige in Germany and Europe.”
Operation Vittles Takes Flight
Rather than retreat, the Western Allies planned to supply Berlin by air. On June 26th of 1948, the Berlin Airlift, code-named Operation Vittles, began. American and British aircraft started flying round-the-clock missions to deliver food, coal, and other essential supplies to the city.
Pilots braved dangerous conditions, including severe weather and Soviet harassment, to ensure the survival of West Berlin. The airlift quickly grew, with planes landing at Tempelhof, Gatow, and later Tegel airports. At its peak, an aircraft landed in West Berlin every 30 seconds.
Berliners built the Tegel airport in just 90 days to accommodate the increasing number of flights during the airlift.
Gail Halvorsen, an American pilot known as the “Candy Bomber,” dropped candy and chocolate to children during his flights, earning their affection and boosting the morale of the city’s residents. Halvorsen’s initiative started with a simple gesture of dropping handkerchief parachutes filled with sweets. He later recalled, “I saw the kids standing by the fence, and I thought, these kids are hungry, but they want more than food. They want to know somebody in America cares.”
Soviet Gambit
The Soviets tried various tactics to disrupt the airlift, including jamming radio signals and buzzing aircraft with fighter planes. Despite these efforts, the Western Allies remained determined. The operation showed their commitment to defending West Berlin and standing up to Soviet pressure.
The airlift included not just military planes but also civilian aircraft, showing the unity and determination of the Allied forces. Over the blockade, the Allies flew more than 200,000 flights, delivering over 2 million tons of supplies.
The airlift involved various aircraft, including the American C-47 Skytrains and British Avro Yorks. The planes transported everything from powdered milk to live animals, ensuring that the city’s needs were met.
Victory Aloft!
The Berlin Airlift’s success forced the Soviets to reconsider their strategy. By the spring of 1949, it became clear that the blockade had failed. On May 12, 1949, the Soviet Union lifted the blockade, allowing land routes to reopen.
The end of the blockade was a huge victory for the Western Allies and a major setback for the Soviet Union. The airlift sustained West Berlin and demonstrated Allied cooperation and resolve in the face of Soviet intimidation.
Cold War’s Turning Point
The Berlin Blockade and Airlift had far-reaching consequences. It solidified the division of Germany into East and West, with the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) formally established later in 1949. The crisis also accelerated the formation of NATO, as Western nations sought to strengthen their security against Soviet threats.
In response to the growing tensions and to maintain control in East Germany, the Soviets established the Ministry for State Security, or “Staatssicherheit,” in February 1950. Known commonly as the Stasi, this secret police force became notorious for its surveillance and repression of East German citizens.
