when did the berlin airlift began and end
Berlin Blockade The Western Allies organized the Berlin airlift (26 June 1948â€“30 September 1949) to carry supplies to the people of West Berlin, a difficult feat given the size of the city's population.[1][2] Aircrews from the United States Air Force, the Royal Air Force, the French Air Force,[3] the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and the South African Air Force[4]:338 flew over 200,000 sorties in one year, providing to the West Berliners up to 12,941 tons of necessities in a day, such as fuel and food, with the original plan being to lift 3,475 tons of supplies however by the end of the airlift that number was often met twofold.[5] The Soviets did not disrupt the airlift for fear this might lead to open conflict, even though they far outnumbered the allies in Germany and especially Berlin.[6] <ref>Tusa, Ann, and John Tusa. The Berlin Airlift. Spellmount Publishers Ltd, 2008.</ref>