Berlin Airlift: Supply by Air vs Abandon West Berlin (1948)
by Anonymous
When the Soviets blockaded West Berlin, Truman chose an unprecedented airlift over military confrontation or abandoning the city. For 11 months, planes landed every 30 seconds, delivering 2.3 million tons of supplies.
Airlift (Operation Vittles)
1948-1949
year
Fly supplies over Soviet blockade
approach
278,000 flights, 2.3 million tons
scale
Chosen — Soviets lifted blockade, West Berlin survived
outcome
Military Convoy Through Soviet Zone
1948
year
Force ground access
approach
Tank columns
scale
Not chosen — risked starting WWIII
outcome
Abandon West Berlin
1948
year
Withdraw Western forces
approach
N/A
scale
Not chosen — would have been massive Cold War defeat
outcome
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