BERLIN AIRLIFT DVD

A fascinating original film from the 1940's archives!

At the end of the Second World War, Germany was divided into four zones,  under the administration of Britain, France, United States, and Soviet Union. The Big Four also occupied Berlin, dividing the city into sectors, despite its location deep in the heart of Soviet occupied Germany.

Although relations between the four powers was at times strained in the immediate post-war era, co-operation began to break down in 1947.  Early 1948, the three Western powers decided to amalgamate their zones and introduce a new currency - the Deutschmark.

In attempts to dissuade the West, Soviet forces deliberately escalated harassment of Western traffic to and from the city.  This led to the Berlin blockade, impeding all road, rail and river approaches, Berlin was a city under siege - accessible only by air.

An 'airbridge' consisting of hundreds of reconditioned World War II bombers (nick-named Rosinenbomber, or 'raisin bombers'), supplied over 2 million West Berliners with food, fuel and other supplies. At its height one plane reached West Berlin every 30 seconds.

The Airlift officially ended on 30 September 1949, fifteen months after its protracted beginnings in June 1948. In total, the United States and Britain delivered 1,783,573 and 541,937 tons respectively, from 277,569 flights to Berlin.

Operation 'Plain Fare', the British code-word for the airlift, came at a human cost,  in total 101 fatalities were recorded as a result of the airlift, including 39 British  (17 Royal Air Force, 1 British Army, 21 civilians).

The attempted strangulation of Berlin by the Soviet Union to force the Western Allies out of the city failed.  Nevertheless, the Berlin blockade and subsequent Airlift went on to symbolize the uneasy peace of the Cold War. 

Shows many Allied and RAF aircraft both in-flight and on the ground, some of the best quality footage we have ever seen, with original soundtrack.

Available in PAL and NTSC

Region zero

Please see our companion DVD for more, called BERLIN AIRLIFT "OUT-TAKES" 1949  DVD This incredibly rare film is taken from the cutting room floor, includes fantastic rare footage of aircraft of the time. It has no soundtrack, albeit with the sound of a film projector to evoke bygone times.

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