"Die LUFTBRUKE" Air Bridge to Berlin

[Rakkasan187]

June 26, 1948,

 

In response to the Soviet Blockade of land routes into West Berlin, the United States began a massive airlift of food, water, and medicine to the citizens of the besieged city. For nearly a year, supplies from American planes sustained over 2 million people in West berlin. Two days before, on June 24, 1948, the Soviet Union blocked all road and rail travel to and from West Berlin, whcih was located within the Soviet Zone of Occuapation in Germany. The Soviet action was in response tothe refusal of American and British officials to allow Russia more say in the economic future of Germany. President Harry S Truman ordered a massive airlift of supplies into West Berlin. It was a daunting logistical task to provide food, clothing, water, medicine, coal, and other necessities of life for over 2 million fearful citizens of the city. For nearly a year, American planes landed around the clock at Tempelhof airfield in the US zone of occupation. The Soviets persisited with the blockade until May 1949, and realized the resiliance of the American military and its resolve, and finally backed down.

 

Our British allies, part of the Occupying Forces in the City of Berlin also participated in the Berlin Airlift. They flew their Dakota aircraft (like our C-47's) approximately 6.5 tons of cargo and supplies to the British Garrison. Their planes landed at Gatow Airbase and in some cases Flying boats were also used and they landed on the Havel Lake to deliver supplies.

 

The airlift had casualties: Most died due to airplane crashes..

 

USA: 31 (28 U.S. Air Force, 1 U.S. Navy, 1 U.S. Army, 1 Army civilian)

Britian: 39 (17 Royal Air Force, 1 British Army, 21 civilians)

Germany: Disputed. Most sources say 9 civilians; some list 12 civilians.

 

Types of aircraft:

USA: C-47s, C-54s. Five C-82s, 1 C-74, 1 C-97 (flew temporarily)

British: Dakotas, Yorks, and later Hastings. RAF chartered commercial carriers to supplement its own efforts, and charter companies flew a wide variety of aircraft. Australian, New Zealand, and South African air forces sent crews to fly with British Royal Air Force but no aircraft.

 

 

As a member of the Berlin Brigade and Occupying Forces almost 40 years after the Berlin Airlift, I remember seeing on almost a daily basis the Berlin Airlift memorial in front of Templehof Air Base. A large Grey Conrete statue, that resembles a three prong fork which symbolizes the only 3 authorized airlift corridors through Soviet airspace into Berlin, stands as a reminder of the lives saved and lost. Inscribed on the memorial are the names of those Airmen lost during the Airlift.

 

There are similar monuments at Rhein Main Air Base in Frankfurt, Germany where the Airlift started in the US Zone of West Germany and at the RAF base in Celle, near Wietzenbruch.

 

For those who remember, for those who were lost, and for the citizens of Berlin :salute: "They gave their lives for the freedom of Berlin in service of the Berlin Airlift 1948/49".

 

Leigh..

[Sabrejet]

 

[Rakkasan187]

Thanks Ian for you contribution..

 

Great videos too...:w00t:

 

 

Leigh..

[Sabrejet]

Thanks Ian for you contribution..

 

Great videos too...:w00t:

Leigh..

 

Thanks Leigh. We have some young members on the forum who probably know very little about the airlift. A picture paints a 1000 words.....!

[Bluehawk]

A noble feat of aviation and compassion, unforgettable.