In 1948 the United States emphasized the need to rebuild the German economy after World War II. The Soviets react to the introduction of the Deutsche Mark by tightening checkpoints to the French, British and American sectors of Berlin, ultimately leading to a ground blockade of the city. To keep the city from starvation, the Western allies begin the Berlin Airlift, ferrying in supplies by plane. The blockade ended on May 12, 1949.
Looking back at the Berlin Blockade —
In 1948 the United States emphasized the need to rebuild the German economy after World War II. The Soviets react to the introduction of the Deutsche Mark by tightening checkpoints to the French, British and American sectors of Berlin, ultimately leading to a ground blockade of the city. To keep the city from starvation, the Western allies begin the Berlin Airlift, ferrying in supplies by plane. The blockade ended on May 12, 1949.
Walter Sanders/Life Magazine/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A German pulls a cart of wood as he flees the Russian sector and passes into the British sector in June 1948.
Looking back at the Berlin Blockade —
A German pulls a cart of wood as he flees the Russian sector and passes into the British sector in June 1948.
STAFF/AFP/Getty Images
As the Soviets constrict the supply routes into Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the residents react by growing their own vegetables and tobacco in allotments on the Berliner Strasse, as seen here in July 1948.
Looking back at the Berlin Blockade —
As the Soviets constrict the supply routes into Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the residents react by growing their own vegetables and tobacco in allotments on the Berliner Strasse, as seen here in July 1948.
FPG/Getty Images
The Berlin Tegel Airport is built in the French zone to support the Berlin Airlift. Built in four months, the airport was, at that time, the largest airport in the world.
Looking back at the Berlin Blockade —
The Berlin Tegel Airport is built in the French zone to support the Berlin Airlift. Built in four months, the airport was, at that time, the largest airport in the world.
JEAN MANZON/AFP/Getty Images
The Frey Bridge over the Havel River is rebuilt to help the delivery of food and coal from Gatow Airport during the Berlin Airlift.
Looking back at the Berlin Blockade —
The Frey Bridge over the Havel River is rebuilt to help the delivery of food and coal from Gatow Airport during the Berlin Airlift.
Keystone/Getty Images
Sacks of coal are loaded onto an aircraft at the Fassberg Air Base for transport to Berlin.
Looking back at the Berlin Blockade —
Sacks of coal are loaded onto an aircraft at the Fassberg Air Base for transport to Berlin.
FPG/Getty Images
The crew of a Douglas C-47 Skytrain loads a cargo of milk in Frankfurt Rhine-Main.
Looking back at the Berlin Blockade —
The crew of a Douglas C-47 Skytrain loads a cargo of milk in Frankfurt Rhine-Main.
Henry Grant Compton/FPG/Getty Images
A U.S. Air Force Douglas C-47 Skytrain transport aircraft waits in the unloading line at Tempelhof Airport.
Looking back at the Berlin Blockade —
A U.S. Air Force Douglas C-47 Skytrain transport aircraft waits in the unloading line at Tempelhof Airport.
Keystone Pictures/FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images
U.S. military personnel receive the news that the Soviet Berlin Blockade has been lifted and that the Berlin Airlift is over.
Looking back at the Berlin Blockade —
U.S. military personnel receive the news that the Soviet Berlin Blockade has been lifted and that the Berlin Airlift is over.
Keystone/Getty Images
Barriers are raised for one of the first cars to arrive in Berlin after the blockade is lifted.
Looking back at the Berlin Blockade —
Barriers are raised for one of the first cars to arrive in Berlin after the blockade is lifted.
Keystone/Getty Images
The first road convoy arrives in Berlin after the blockade is lifted and the airlift ends.
Looking back at the Berlin Blockade —
The first road convoy arrives in Berlin after the blockade is lifted and the airlift ends.
Keystone/Getty Images
Some of the first British cars enter Berlin after the blockade.
Looking back at the Berlin Blockade —
Some of the first British cars enter Berlin after the blockade.
Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
People fill the streets after all sections of Berlin were opened after the blockade.
Looking back at the Berlin Blockade —
People fill the streets after all sections of Berlin were opened after the blockade.
Walter Sanders//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images