THE BERLIN AIRLIFT

When the Soviets closed access to American- and British-controlled West Berlin in 1948, effectively blockading the city, President Truman’s unlikely response was to supply its two million citizens and 20,000 Allied troops with food and fuel—entirely from the air. PBS’s American Experience revisits this massive undertaking, "the first victory of the Cold War," through the experiences of ordinary Berliners (many of whom were still uneasy with U.S. planes flying overhead) and U.S. airmen (many of whom were still wary of the Germans). The program mixes re-creations with interviews, primary source file footage, narration, and commentary. Grades 7 and up. Closed captioned. Color and black-and-white. 53 minutes. PBS ©2006.