antarmike Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 (edited) Following Russia's decision to close all road routes into Berlin ( within the Russian zone of occupation,) the UK and the USA began a massive airlift into the city, In operation "Plainfare" RAF transports delivered 1340 Tons of food daily. Clothing, food fuel and other supplies were flown into Gatow in Dakotas and Avro Yorks., whilst Sunderlands were used to fly in salt, landing on lake Havel. The RAF brought in 17% of the total. Although the Russians lifted the blockade on May 12 1949, the mercy flights continued until October that year, to build up stocks. British planes RAF and Civvy flew 32,358,951 Miles, the RAF flying 24,692,603 of this total. This amounted to 65,857 RAF sorties and the total load carried by the RAF was 394,509 Tons, British Civvy planes adding 147,727 Tons. The highest daily total for the British was on July 5th 1949 when 2,315 Tons were landed, The Americans best day was 16th April that year when they brought in 10,905 tons In march 1949 the weekly cargo shifted was 45,683 Tons. 18 RAF aircrew died in the airlift, British civilian aircrew lost was 10, The USA lost 31 and 9 Germans also died Apart from those types already mentioned the British also flew Lancastrians, and Handley Page Hastings, The USA also flew B29s. At the peak an aircraft landed every minute. I think I am right in saying that the BBMF maintenance guys still occasionally fing coal under the floor of their Dakota. Edited June 25, 2008 by antarmike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Wonder how much fuel was used in total??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 More than even an Antar can use in a season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 If you are looking for a holiday read try Leon uris' Armageddon, based around the sirlift. Entertaing well written and well researched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted September 30, 2008 Author Share Posted September 30, 2008 Today 30 Sept 1949 sees the official end of the Berlin Airlift. The had been around 250,000 flights in total. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted December 27, 2009 Author Share Posted December 27, 2009 One consequence of the Airlift was the building Of Tegal Airfield in the French Sector. Unfortunately, it was built in a hurry, and munitions formed part if the infilling of the runways! http://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com/2009/01/explosive-revelation.html#links Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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