Air Lift Collection

The Millionth Ton of Supplies reaches Berlin, 1949
Photograph showing Flight Lieutenant K.J. Ryall of the Royal Air Force handing a sack, representing the millionth short ton of supplies to be flown into Berlin during the airlift, to Dr

Wunstorf Airfield, near Hanover, 1948
Photograph showing Wunstorf Airfield, near Hanover, in the British controlled zone of Germany, with a large number of Dakota and York airplanes lined up for use during the Berlin Airlift, 1948

York aircraft of the RAF which are flying supplies into Berlin, on the tarmac in front of one of the hangers at Gatow airfield in the British zone. Sacks of main can be seen in the foreground

The Edge of the American Sector, Berlin, 1949
Photograph showing German men and women removing the rubble barricades between the American Sector and the Soviet Sector of Berlin at the end of the Berlin Blockade, May 1949

German Workers Re-erecting a Free Passage Sign, Berlin, 19
Photograph showing German workers re-erecting a Russian and German sign declaring Free Passage on the border between West Berlin and the Soviet Sector at the end of the Berlin Blockade, May 1949

Interior of a Transport Airplane filled with coal, 1948
Photograph showing the interior of a Dakota airplane loaded with kitbags full of coal, destined for Berlin during the airlift of 1948

Unloading an airplane, Gatow Airport, Berlin, 1948
Photograph showing a generator set being unloaded from a York aircraft at Gatow Airport, during the Berlin Airlift, 1948. Between April 1948 and May 1949 Stalin, leader of the USSR

Royal Air Force York at Gatow Airport, Berlin, 1949
Photograph showing a Royal Air Force York transport airplane, after landing at Gatow Airport, carrying the millionth ton of supplies during the Berlin Airlift of 1949

Exchanging Clothes at a Second-hand Depot, Berlin, 1948
Photograph showing several citizens of West Berlin bringing their old woollen garments to a second-hand clothing depot, Berlin, August 1948

West Berlin Train Crew Prepare to Travel, Berlin, 1949
Photograph showing the crew of a West Berlin locomotive hoisting the banner Greetings to Western Germany onto the front of their train at the end of the Berlin Blockade, May 1949

The First Bus out of West Berlin after the Blockade, 1949
Photograph showing the first civilian bus to leave West Berlin after the end of the Soviet blockade, May 1949. The bus shown was heading for Hanover and proudly bore the banner Hurra

Citizens of West Berlin outside the Schoeneberg Town Hall, 1
Photograph showing up to 500, 000 West Berliners gathered outside the Schoeneberg Town Hall to celebrate the end of the Berlin Blockade, 12th May 1949

The Statistics Board at Frankfurt Airport during the Berlin
Photograph showing American aircrew studying the achievement board at Frankfurt-on-Main showing the daily and overall tonnage of supplies flown from Frankfurt to Berlin, during the airlift of 1948

Gatow Airport, Berlin, 1948
Photograph showing a York transport airplane at Gatow Airport, during the Berlin Airlift, 1948. In the background of the image, extension work on the runway can be seen being undertaken

The East-West Frontier in Berlin, 1949
Photograph showing a West Berlin policeman (on left) talking to a Soviet Sector policeman over an East-West frontier barrier, in Berlin, 1949

Map at the Berlin Air Safety Centre, during the Berlin Airli
Photograph showing a large wall map of Berlin and its air corridors, in the Berlin Air Safety Centre, during the airlift of 1948

German Boys on a disused Railway, Berlin, 1948
Photograph showing two German boys playing on a railway track leading into the American Sector of West Berlin, November 1948

An RAF Sea King Helicopter whinch a casualty from a mountain rescue casualty site on loughrigg in the Lake
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Members of a mountain rescue team onboard an RAF Sea King Helicopter
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Members of a mountain rescue team board an RAF Sea King Helicopter
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

An RAF Sea King Helicopter and search dog and handler
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Emergency flare to attract incoming Sea King Helicopter
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) being transferred via helicopter from the Bear Jail outside Churchill, Manitoba
Michael Nolan / SplashdownDirect

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"Air Lift: A Lifeline to Hope and Resilience" In the wake of devastation and despair, the Wunstorf Airfield near Hanover became a symbol of salvation in 1948. York aircrafts of the Royal Air Force took to the skies, defying all odds as they flew essential supplies into war-torn Berlin. At the edge of the American Sector in Berlin, 1949 brought renewed determination. German workers united their strength, re-erecting a free passage sign that stood tall against adversity. Inside transport airplanes filled with coal, hope burned bright amidst darkness. Gatow Airport witnessed countless moments etched in history during this monumental air lift operation. Unloading planes one by one, brave souls tirelessly worked to ensure no corner of Berlin was left without aid. The millionth ton of supplies reached Berlin in 1949 - an extraordinary milestone that testified to human resilience and unwavering solidarity. The Royal Air Force York at Gatow Airport stood proud as a testament to courage soaring high above political boundaries. Amidst scarcity and hardship, humanity found solace even in exchanging clothes at second-hand depots scattered across Berlin's streets. These acts reminded us that compassion knows no barriers or borders. As West Berlin train crews prepared for their arduous journeys ahead in 1949, they carried not just cargo but also dreams of unity and freedom within their hearts. And when the first bus departed from West Berlin after months-long blockade lifted its heavy veil - jubilation echoed through every street corner. Outside Schoeneberg Town Hall citizens gathered - resilient faces painted with hope for a brighter tomorrow; proof that even amidst chaos love for our fellow humans prevails unyieldingly. The air lift operation etched itself into history books as an embodiment of triumph over adversity; it showcased how nations can unite under dire circumstances when lives are at stake.