By spring 1949, the Berlin Airlift proved successful. The Western Allies showed that they could sustain the operation indefinitely. At the same time, the Allied counter-blockade on eastern Germany was causing severe shortages, which, Moscow feared, might lead to political upheaval. read more
One reason that the Berlin Airlift was successful was because of Cold War brinkmanship and mutually assured destruction. The Soviets cut off West Berlin from all land and sea contact in 1948. And the US and her allies responded by using there superior air power to resupply Berlin via the dropping of supplies. read more
The purpose of the Berlin Airlift was to keep West Berlin from falling into Soviet hands by bypassing road and rail lines that had been cut off. The Berlin Airlift kept West Berlin from going under, it kept West Berlin free and West Berlin stayed free throughout the Cold War and today, all of Berlin is part of the Free World. read more