The Berlin Blockade and Airlift a Chronology
The Berlin Blockade and Airlift a Chronology June 11, 1948- All Allied and German railroad freight traffic between the Western zones and Berlin were suspended by the Soviets for two days. June 12, 1948- Resumption of railroad traffic, Autobahn traffic near Magdeburg via the Elbe Bridge is blocked to traffic by Soviets, allegedly for repair work. June 15, 1948- Russian issues new regulations for interzonal passenger traffic June 16, 1948- Soviets walk out of Allied Kommandatura meeting, Berlin. June 18, 1948- Currency reform for Western sector of Berlin announced, Russians protest and refuse to join scheme. June 22, 1948- Big Four Conference in Berlin failed to produce an agreement. Soviet Union announced their own separate currency reform. June 23, 1948- Berlin City Council members abused and manhandled outside City Hall after supporting Western currency reform measures. June 24, 1948- Soviets halt all freight, passenger and water traffic to Berlin. - Soviets were served notice they will not supply food to the Western sector of Berlin. The first RAF aircraft arrive in Wunstorf, in the British sector, beginning of the Airlift operations. June 26, 1948- AIRLIFT BEGINS 32 flights of C 47 transport 80 tons of supplies from Wiesbaden AB to Tempelhof. The US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) had only approximately 100 C-47 aircraft available. June 28, 1948- First 35 C-54 en route from Alaska, Hawaii and the Caribbean to join Airlift operations. Brigadier General Joseph Smith, Commander of the Wiesbaden Military Posts, was given the command of the Berlin Airlift by LTG Curtis LeMay (USAFE CG). The RAF begins Operation "Knicker".
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