Berlin Airlift 1948–49: The opening battle of the Cold War
Apr 2027 · Bloomsbury Publishing
Ebook
96
Pages
infoThis book will become available on April 22, 2027. You will not be charged until it is released.
About this ebook
Richly illustrated throughout, this focused study reveals how the greatest airlift of the 20th century was sparked, organized, and flown, and why it succeeded.
The Berlin Airlift was the first battle of the Cold War, and arguably its most decisive operation. As the Iron Curtain descended across Europe, the USSR blockaded free West Berlin in an attempt to force its surrender. Its only chance was a Western airlift on a scale never before attempted, to supply and sustain a major capital city through air power alone.
In this book, aviation historian Mark Lardas studies the Berlin Airlift on strategic, technical, and operational levels. Berlin would starve if the campaign was not flown relentlessly and at maximum efficiency, eking the most out of World War II technology. Flown by US and British forces with French and local German assistance on the ground, the airlift was initially improvised, but its systems were rapidly streamlined to maximize capacity and speed at all costs. At its height, one transport reached Berlin every 30 seconds, although the operation cost more than 100 fatalities.
This is the story of an airlift that forged West Germany out of the rubble of the occupied zones, led to the West banding together in NATO, proved the capability of Anglo-American air forces to flexibly project power, and saved the West Berliners from the grip of Stalin.
The Berlin Airlift was the first battle of the Cold War, and arguably its most decisive operation. As the Iron Curtain descended across Europe, the USSR blockaded free West Berlin in an attempt to force its surrender. Its only chance was a Western airlift on a scale never before attempted, to supply and sustain a major capital city through air power alone.
In this book, aviation historian Mark Lardas studies the Berlin Airlift on strategic, technical, and operational levels. Berlin would starve if the campaign was not flown relentlessly and at maximum efficiency, eking the most out of World War II technology. Flown by US and British forces with French and local German assistance on the ground, the airlift was initially improvised, but its systems were rapidly streamlined to maximize capacity and speed at all costs. At its height, one transport reached Berlin every 30 seconds, although the operation cost more than 100 fatalities.
This is the story of an airlift that forged West Germany out of the rubble of the occupied zones, led to the West banding together in NATO, proved the capability of Anglo-American air forces to flexibly project power, and saved the West Berliners from the grip of Stalin.
Richly illustrated throughout, this focused study reveals how the greatest airlift of the 20th century was sparked, organized, and flown, and why it succeeded.
The Berlin Airlift was the first battle of the Cold War, and arguably its most decisive operation. As the Iron Curtain descended across ...
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About the author
Mark Lardas has always been fascinated by things related to the sea and sky. From building models of ships and aircraft as a teen, he then studied Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, but his interest in aviation led him to take a job on the then-new Space Shuttle program, where he worked for 30 years as a navigation engineer. He has written numerous books on military, naval, and aviation history.
Edouard A. Groult is a renowned French-born historical artist based near London.
Edouard A. Groult is a renowned French-born historical artist based near London.
Mark Lardas has always been fascinated by things related to the sea and sky. From building models of ships and aircraft as a teen, he then studied Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, but his interest in aviation led him to take a job on the then-new Space Shuttle program, where he worked f...
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