FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-107

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (June 24, 2026) – This edition of FWM recalls the start of the US and British collaborating to help West Berlin.

OPERATION VITTLES

The Berlin Airlift began on June 24, 1948 and continued until May 12, 1949. 

Instead of fighting the Soviets, US and British planes were used to deliver 2.3 million tons of supplies to the citizens of West Berlin.  Necessities such as coal, food, medicine and even some candy treats were flown in at all hours of the day and night.

The Soviet forces had blockaded the city, essentially cutting off all land access, in hopes of discouraging the Allies from fighting for Berlin.  But narrow corridors of air space were still open to traffic, and these were the conduits allowing the supply planes to travel over the city, land, unload and leave within a tight 48-minute window.

The delivery of supplies won over the hearts of the Berliners, and Stalin eventually conceded to opening the ground routes to the city again. 

With the Berlin Airlift, ingenuity proved that the Allies could win a first challenge in the Cold War standoff.

This map of Prussia by Tanner from 1836 shows Berlin in the center and also in the inset in the upper left.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps. Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.