THE GREAT BATTLES is a new series of DVDs that delve into the most historically important battles of WWII. Using a combination of U.S. Dept. of Defense archive films and period newsreels of the time, each film features actual wartime footage and or first-person accounts from those that were there.

Three short years after the end of World War II, the major powers (England, France, Russia and the USA) became embroiled in a crisis over the control of the divided city of Berlin. The Soviets sought to push the western allies out of the area permanently to consolidate their total control of all of what was to become East Germany. Upon closing rail, road, and canal access from the West to the city they hoped to starve out the Allies. The United States replied with a massive around the clock airlift of coal, food and medical supplies to keep the lights on, and the people of West Berlin fed. While not a battle of weapons, it became a battle of logistics which was won with American air power.

These films show how the feat was accomplished and give an insight into the political conditions of the era, along with the creation of the Berlin wall.

Films on this DVD :

- Big Picture: The West Berlin Struggle (US Army)
In West Berlin, a new skyline has risen from the rubble of World War II. A dynamic, prosperous city, West Berlin lies one hundred miles into Soviet controlled East Germany--an outpost of freedom in a jungle of Communist slavery. In West Berlin's struggle to remain free--indeed, the Free World's struggle--is detailed in this dramatic story. (28 min)

- Operation Vittles (USAF)
A documentary film record of the operations of the U.S. Air Force in supplying blockaded Berlin by air. Explains how 'Operation Vittles' was conducted, and shows the loading, flying, and delivery of supplies. Nominated for an Academy Award in 1949 for Best Documentary, Short Subjects. (14 min.)

- THE AIR FORCE STORY -- COLD WAR, 1948-1950
Russia's attempt to blockade West Berlin is futile; due to the largest peacetime airlift by western powers; and success of the huge Convair B-36 Peacemaker, first intercontinental bomber. (17 min)

- AIRLIFT ... WORKING FOR HUMANITY (USAF)
Review of humanitarian efforts by Military Airlift Command to show operational involvement within communities around the world. Notes its beginning in World War II, the Berlin Airlift june 1948, haylift 1949, korea aeromed 1951, airlift to mecca 1952, airlift to holland 1953, kinderlift 1953, airlift to italy 1956, hungarian revolt 1956-57, iron lungs to japan 1960, congo airlift 1962, food to africa 1962, pakistan airlift 1970, homecoming 1973, chad-mali-mauritania 1974, sea refugee airlift (babylift) 1975, guatemala airlift 1976, turkey airlift 1976, buffalo airlift (snowbird) 1977, support to science-deep freeze 1976, magnet to russia 1977, jonestown guyana 1978, sri lanka, alaska christmas drop, iran evacuation, nicaraguan evacuees 1979, and response to natural disasters (18 min)

- JOURNEY ACROSS BERLIN U.S. Information Service
Documents the West's position on defense of Berlin, beginning with the destruction and economic breakdown of the city at end of World War II, and presents significant historical events, such as establishment of occupation zones, the airlift, 1953 riots, elections in free berlin and the west's determined actions to maintain the freedom of West Berlin.