<P> The Western Allies organized the Berlin airlift ( 26 June 1948 -- 30 September 1949 ) to carry supplies to the people of West Berlin , a difficult feat given the size of the city 's population . Aircrews from the United States Air Force , the Royal Air Force , the French Air Force , the Royal Canadian Air Force , the Royal Australian Air Force , the Royal New Zealand Air Force , and the South African Air Force 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 . 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 . < ref > Tusa , Ann , and John Tusa . The Berlin Airlift . Spellmount Publishers Ltd , 2008. < / ref > </P>
<P> The Western Allies organized the Berlin airlift ( 26 June 1948 -- 30 September 1949 ) to carry supplies to the people of West Berlin , a difficult feat given the size of the city 's population . Aircrews from the United States Air Force , the Royal Air Force , the French Air Force , the Royal Canadian Air Force , the Royal Australian Air Force , the Royal New Zealand Air Force , and the South African Air Force 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 . 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 . < ref > Tusa , Ann , and John Tusa . The Berlin Airlift . Spellmount Publishers Ltd , 2008. < / ref > </P>
when did the berlin airlift began and end
when did the berlin airlift began and end
26 June 1948 -- 30 September 1949
26 June 1948 -- 30 September 1949