Traffic into Berlin was restored today when the Soviets lifted their 11-month-old blockade. In one of the major Cold War crises, the Soviet Union had blocked railroad and street access to West Berlin in hopes that the Allies would abandon the city. Instead, British and American planes flew in vital supplies like food and fuel to help West Berliners survive. Although the blockade was lifted today, air lifts did not stop until September 30. This was done as a precautionary measure to build up adequate supplies in case the Soviets issued another blockade.

"Thus-ended the dependence of 2,000,000 west Berliners on British and American planes for food and fuel," reported the Galveston Daily News on May 12, 1949. "But the air lift was going ahead at full schedule, and pilots said their instructions were to keep right on for at least 80 days."

NOTE: Despite uneasiness regarding whether the lift would last, there was a celebratory mood in Berlin. Schools closed for a holiday, and newspapers said that Berlin was in "a carnival mood." The blockade had began on June 24, 1948, and the Berlin Airlift supplied food for the city throughout the entire winter, dropping a total of 2,326,406 tons of food and supplies.

Links to the Past
Flood of Traffic Pours Into Berlin
The Times Record, May 12, 1949

All Barriers to Berlin Raised
The Galveston Daily News, May 12, 1949

Soviet Blockade Of Berlin Ends; Airlift Still Operating
The News, May 12, 1949

Berlin Celebrates Lifting Blockade
Waukesha Daily Freeman, May 12, 1949

Airlift Roars On Full Blast, May Continue For Month
The Troy Record, May 12, 1949

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