THE BERLIN AIRLIFT

TIMELINE

TREATY OF BRUSSELS

22 JANUARY 1948

British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin proposes the formation of a Western Union which led to the Treaty of Brussels, which was a countermeasure aimed towards Russian expansion and aggression. The Treaty of Brussels is signed on March 17. This is a predecessor to the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The reaction by the Russians beginning in mid-January is to interrupt traffic to the Berlin, to the western allies (USA, UK, and France) because of “technical problems.”

VOICE OF AMERICA JAMMED

1 FEBRUARY 1948

On February 1, 1948, Soviet authorities took a decisive step in the burgeoning Cold War by initiating efforts to jam the broadcasts of the Voice of America (VOA). At that time, VOA was a key instrument of U.S. public diplomacy, broadcasting news and perspectives that championed democratic ideals and free expression—messages that the Soviet regime viewed as ideologically subversive. Concerned that these Western narratives could inspire dissent and erode the tightly controlled flow of information within its borders, the Kremlin saw jamming as a necessary countermeasure. By disrupting the VOA signals, the Soviets aimed to limit the influence of American propaganda, thereby protecting their own narrative and consolidating control over public opinion in an era marked by intense political and cultural rivalry.

FORMATION OF WEST BERLIN

16 February – 5 March 1948

Because of constant Russian inspired turmoil in Berlin, plus no agreement
toward reunification, England and the United States meet in London and agree to consolidate their Berlin Sectors and call it West Berlin. They also agree to consolidate their Zones and establish a West German government with Bonn as the capital. France was initially reluctant to participate due to political changes in Paris, however, eventually France agrees in June of that year.

West Berlin and West Germany governments were to be established by Germans for Germans without allied military participation. Also, a new currency is issued to stimulate the economy. While this conference is going on the Communists take over the Czechoslovakia.

FORCING THEM OUT

9 MARCH 1948

Soviet leaders in Germany are called back to Moscow for a meeting. At this meeting Soviet leader Joseph Stalin reportedly said, “Let’s see if we can force them out.” They returned on the 12th of March with instructions to regulate military access to and from Berlin.

Highway traffic on the Autobahn is interrupted, trains are stopped for searches and canal traffic is also harassed. These restrictions also increased on the one
railroad line in to Berlin, the one road in, and all canals. The restrictions continued right up to the full blockade on June 26. The purpose of this effort was to eject the Western Allies from Berlin.

ALL TRAINS STOPPED

1 APRIL 1948

Soviets assert a right to board any and all trains heading for Berlin to inspect freight and check identity papers and also close all roads to Berlin. General Clay of the United States and British General Sir Brian H. Robertson sent 5 trains toward Berlin to test the Soviet resolve. Four of the trains were stopped and subsequently sent back to their zone by Soviet engines. One American trainmaster allows the search of his train and proceeds to Berlin. General Clay orders all trains stopped.

From April onwards Western licensed barge skippers on the German-wide network are detained, “because their papers are not in order.” All barge traffic is brought to a standstill.

MORE TIMELINE CONTENT COMING SOON!

Our timeline is still under construction!

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