In 1948, the Soviets cut off all land access to West Berlintwo million civilians suddenly trapped behind a blockade. The U.S. Army had tanks, troops, and the firepower to drive straight down the autobahn. So why didnt they just punch through?
General Lucius D. Clay pushed exactly that plan, convinced the Soviets were bluffing. But President Truman saw the danger clearly: Europe was exhausted, NATO didnt exist yet, and Soviet forces massively outnumbered the West on the ground. One wrong move could have sparked a catastrophic new warjust three years after the last one ended.
Instead, the U.S. and Britain launched the Berlin Airlift: a year-long logistical masterstroke that supplied the entire city from the air. It kept Berlin alive, humiliated Stalin, and became one of the Wests greatest propaganda victories.
The blockade ended without a shot firedand the Cold War map was changed forever.
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