The Berlin Airlift Operation Vittles 1 Introduction On

The Berlin Airlift: “Operation Vittles” 1

Introduction On 22 Jun 1948, in an effort to force communism upon the Germans, the Soviet Union closed all travel routes, and cut off all water/sewage systems to Berlin, East Germany. This action earmarked the first US/Soviet Cold War Confrontation known as the Berlin Airlift, nicknamed “Operation Vittles. ” 2

Overview Berlin Airlift Video Clip - Beyond the Wild Blue Series Informal Lecture (Discussion Questions) - The Situation Soviet Action Allied Response Air Force Success The Cold War/Airpower 3

Soviets/Allies Outlook § § Soviets intent on security of their borders Soviets suffered millions of casualties Allies weren’t seeking vengeance Allies wanted to revitalize and stabilize economy 4

Zones of Occupation § § Soviets given East Germany to include Berlin United States given southwest Germany Britain given northwest Germany Berlin then divided and Allies to include France given a sector inside Berlin 5

Blockade § § § Soviets refused to supply food Soviets allowed three air corridors Soviets demanded their currency (money) be adopted Soviets blockaded road, rail, and waterways Soviets cut off all power 6

Allied Response (United States) § § Airlift Backup of airlift through basing of strategic nuclear capability in England 7

Airlift Begins § § 25 Jun 1948 C-47 could fly 2 to 3 tons of cargo C-54 could fly 10 tons of cargo 2 million tons of cargo in almost 277, 00 flights 8

Results § § § Diplomatic weapon Technological achievement Strength of airpower 9

Informal Lecture 1. What was the basic situation leading up to the Soviet blockade of Berlin? 4 zones dividing Berlin basically into east and west, Russians blockaded Berlin when their currency was not accepted 10

Informal Lecture 2. What actions did the Soviet Union take to blockade Berlin? Soviets blockaded road, rail, and waterways and cut off all power 11

Informal Lecture 3. How did the Western Allies respond to the Soviet blockade? How did the US add “a level of lethality” to their response? Western Allies responded with an airlift B-29 s capable of carrying nuclear weapons were based in England 12

Informal Lecture 4. What were the logistics involved in Operation Vittles? What were the outcomes of this event? Aircraft would land every 3 minutes averaging almost 6 tons per day delivered 2 million tons of cargo in 277, 000 flights 13

Informal Lecture 5. After the Berlin Airlift, how was the nature of the Cold War altered? What did the Berlin Airlift say about airpower? US and Soviets became adversaries Proved the importance of airlift as an integral function of the Air Force 14