The Berlin Airlift is an infamous military mission that took place between 1948 and 1949. It was one of the most daring humanitarian operations throughout the entirety of the Cold War. It ended up being a highly effective means to showcase the pure determination of the U.S. as well as its allies in uniting against Soviet aggression at the time.
Following the Soviet Union blockading West Berlin and effectually cutting off essential supplies to over two million residents, both American and also British forces launched an airlift operation of the likes that had never been seen before. Then, for almost a year, cargo planes strategically delivered food, fuel, and medical supplies. They would land every few minutes in what was a huge logistical effort. This collection of military photos is able to capture all the intensity, unwavering heroism, and the sheer scale of the Berlin Airlift.
1. Allied C-47 transports unload their cargo at Tempelhof Airport after the Soviets blockade the city’s rail, road and canal access
That’s a whole lot of cargo to get unloaded.
2. German children playing in the rubble of Berlin watch an American C47 fly overhead during the Berlin Airlift in 1949.
What an intense sight to behold as a child.
3. German children playing in the rubble of Berlin watch an American C47 fly overhead during the Berlin Airlift in 1949.
Just a little bit low for comfort there.
4. One of the Berlin Airlift flights, which began 65 years ago today
That’ll freeze you right in your tracks.
5. A C-54 Candy Bomber, dropping candy to eager children during the Berlin Airlift
Candy raining from the sky. Now that’s a dream come true.
6. German children gather to cheer a US aircraft delivering food to West Berlin after the Communist party of the Soviet Union tried to blockade Berlin in 1948
The amount of joy reverberating through that crowd must’ve been something else.
7. Children peer into the West Berlin airport during the Berlin Airlift, 1948
The kid with the shades is looking extra cool there.
8. Air and ground crews of the US Navy Squadron VR-6 at Rhein-Main celebrate the end of the Berlin Airlift
And what a celebration that had to have been.
9. Citizens of Berlin watch U.S. Planes above deliver care packages during the Berlin Airlift, which began 65 years ago today
Those care packages were out there serving as literal lifesavers.
10. Berlin youngsters who live near the Tempelhof Air Force Base, where the U.S. Air Force transport planes unload their airlift supplies, play at a game called “Luftbrucke”
Those mini-planes look like a whole lot of fun to play with.
