 West Berliners were worried about shortages of food, water, and medical aid. Our response came just two days later. A massive airlift of supplies into West Berlin began in what became one of the greatest logistical efforts in history. For the Soviets, this quickly became a diplomatic embarrassment. Russia looked like a bully trying to starve men, women, and children. And our successful airlift accentuated our technological superiority over the Soviets. On May 12, 1949, the Soviets ended the blockade.