What was the purpose of the Berlin Airlift in 1948-1949?

The Berlin Airlift aimed to supply West Berlin during the Soviet blockade that began in June 1948. After World War II, Germany was divided into zones controlled by the Allies, and Berlin, located deep within the Soviet-controlled Eastern Zone, was also divided into East and West. In an attempt to consolidate control over the entire city, the Soviet Union blocked all ground routes to West Berlin, cutting off food, fuel, and other essential supplies.

In response, the Western Allies initiated the Berlin Airlift, which was a massive effort to airlift supplies into the city. This operation lasted from June 1948 until May 1949 and involved flying in thousands of tons of food, coal, and other necessities to sustain the two million residents of West Berlin. The success of the airlift demonstrated the commitment of the United States and its allies to counter Soviet pressure and protect the freedoms of West Berliners, becoming a significant event in the early Cold War period. The operation not only alleviated the immediate humanitarian crisis but also solidified the division of East and West Berlin, symbolizing the broader ideological conflict between the West and the Soviet Union.