X2801

Berlin Airlift

50th Anniversary

Collins Cover Announcement 

Berlin Airlift

The World War II defeat of Nazi Germany and its partition by the victorious Allies, including the United States and the Soviet Union, left the city of Berlin 120 miles within Communist dominated Eastern Europe. Fifty years ago, Soviet and U.S. forces struggled to control the German capital, resulting in the greatest airlift in history.

On March 30, 1948, Soviet dictator Josef Stalin blockaded road and rail access to Berlin. Three months later he cut off the electricity to Berlin and sealed all water and remaining land routes. The free citizens of Berlin were now completely cut off and isolated deep within Communist territory. This was the first overt confrontation in the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States.

The American response was to use the U.S. Air Force to supply Berlin. It was a heroic effort involving over 27,000 transport flights into the besieged city. Almost two and one half million tons of cargo were airlifted to Berlin to keep the city free. Seventy-eight airmen lost their lives during the massive operation, but on May 23, 1949, Stalin realized that the United States was totally committed and lifted the blockade. Freedom had been victorious!

Thanks to the successful Berlin airlift, that city became the symbol of resistance to the threat of Communism. The brave U.S. airmen who got the job done and the free citizens of Berlin who demonstrated strong opposition to the Soviet threat set the tone for the long Cold War that would follow. With this new stamp issue, they are rightfully honored by the U.S. Postal Service and a grateful nation. I am happy to offer my Collins individually hand painted First Day Cover for the Berlin airlift. Item #X2801. $12.25.

Although I am not illustrating my cachet, it has an excellent design showing United State Air Force planes flying in supplies to Berlin. It is a fine aviation cachet and a nice topical addition to my 1997 covers for the Classic Aircraft, Supersonic, and U.S. Air Force issues. Don't miss it!