Pictures Dated 23rd October 2004

Crashed 'Dakota' Airplane, Berlin, 1948

Photograph showing the wreckage of a crashed American 'Dakota' transport airplane in Berlin, 1948. This airplane had been taking part in the 'Berlin Airlift' when it crashed into a block of flats, killing two aircrew and setting the flats on fire. Between April 1948 and May 1949 Stalin, leader of the USSR, imposed a land blockade on supplies from Western Europe to West Berlin. In response the British and American governments organised an enormous airlift to supply food and other essentials to the 2.5 million inhabitants of West Berlin. After a year Stalin conceded defeat and lifted the land blockade.

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

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. The clothes were weighed then permits were issued for the purchase of new clothing to an equivalent weight. The Soviet blockade of West Berlin meant that shortages of all consumables were inevitable. Between April 1948 and May 1949 Josef Stalin, leader of the USSR, imposed a land blockade on supplies from Western Europe to West Berlin. In response the British and American governments organised an enormous airlift to supply food and other essentials to the 2.5 million inhabitants of West Berlin. After a year Stalin conceded defeat and lifted the blockade.

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

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. This centre was used to co-ordinate air movements between the four powers occupying Berlin (USA, Great Britain, USSR, France) to ensure to efficient and safe transit of airplanes. Between April 1948 and May 1949 Stalin, leader of the USSR, imposed a land blockade on supplies from Western Europe to West Berlin. In response the British and American governments organised an enormous airlift to supply food and other essentials to the 2.5 million inhabitants of West Berlin. After a year Stalin conceded defeat and lifted the land blockade.

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans