5 Questions
What was the main aim of the Soviet Union in blocking access to Allied controlled areas in Berlin?
To establish communist control over the entire city
Who was the key figure leading the airlift operation to West Berlin during the crisis?
General William Tunner
How many tons of supplies were required daily by West Berliners during the crisis?
35,000 tons
What role did transport aircraft play in military planning during the crisis?
Essential movers role
Why did the Soviet Union eventually lift the blockade on West Berlin?
Failure to maintain control over West Berlin
Study Notes
- In June 1948, tensions between Western allies and the Soviet Union escalate, leading to the first crisis of the Cold War.
- Soviet forces block access to Allied controlled areas in Berlin, aiming for communist control of the entire city.
- The situation worsens, with the threat of World War III becoming increasingly real.
- In response, Allies devise a plan to airlift necessary supplies to West Berliners, who require 35,000 tons daily.
- The airlift, which involves 225 C-54s, is a large-scale operation never attempted before. Initial progress is difficult.
- General William Tunner leads the airlift, delivering 2.3 million pounds of supplies in eleven months.
- The Soviet Union eventually lifts the blockade, failing to maintain control over West Berlin.
- Airlifts play a crucial role in military planning, with transport aircraft serving as essential movers, despite the prominence of fighters and bombers.
Learn about the tension between Western allies and the Soviet Union in June 1948, which led to the Berlin Blockade and subsequent airlift to West Berlin. Discover how the Allies devised a plan to provide necessary supplies via air transport, ultimately thwarting Soviet control.
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