Discover the Past: "The Berlin Airlift"

75 years ago, the United States and Great Britain won one of the Cold War's most significant victories.

In May of 1949 the "Berlin Airlift," a massive air supply operation to the beleaguered people of West Berlin, finally broke the Soviet blockade of the city. For almost a year American and British aircrews flew in enough supplies to allow more than two million West Berliners to endure hardships and stand up to the Soviets. 

Come celebrate this great moment in American history, and hear some of the inspiring (and sometimes funny!) stories that stemmed from this year-long humanitarian effort. 

About the Presenter:

Don Smith is a retired U.S. Army Reserve officer.  He spent ten years in the active forces, three of those in Germany at the end of the Cold War.  After his active service he worked at a variety of jobs within the Department of Defense. 

He currently teaches Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  He holds a bachelors' degree in history from the University of Virginia and a masters' degree in strategic intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College, now the National Intelligence University.  He has been published in Military History, World War II, WWII Heritage and Civil War Times magazines and the U.S. Army's Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin.  He wrote Military History's cover story in 2024 on the Berlin Airlift, featuring Gail Halvorsen. 

He is the author of Steinstuecken: A Little Pocket of Freedom.  It tells the story of a West Berlin neighborhood that was part of the American Occupation Sector---but was completely surrounded by Communist territory.  The Americans had no ground access to the neighborhood; they could only fly to it by helicopter.  Yet the Americans kept the neighborhood safe, and out of Communist hands, for more than 20 years.  Don will use material from this book in his Berlin Airlift presentation.

Recommended reading from the Library: The Berlin Airlift

To view a recording of this event, click HERE