Columbus location hosts Berlin Airlift exhibition

“The Berlin Airlift – A Legacy of Friendship,” an exhibition that commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, will be on display at the Columbus Learning Center August 19-September 5. The Columbus display is sponsored by the College of Technology at Columbus. An opening reception is planned for August 21 at noon.

In 1948, the Soviets blocked the western portion of Berlin. In response, the United States and its allies took to the skies, flying in provisions for over two million of West Berlin’s residents, an effort that grew into the Luftbrücke – an unending conveyor belt of planes landing at Tempelhof Airport.

“The Airlift is considered one of the greatest humanitarian actions of all times. It is almost unbelievable that the United States and her allies were able to sustain the city of Berlin for 322 days,” says Klaus Scharioth, German ambassador to the United States.

On May 12, 1949 the Soviets finally gave in and reopened land and water routes into Berlin. Airlift missions finally ended in late September 1949.

The exhibition features photographs of the people and aircraft that made the Berlin Airlift successful as well as texts to explain their significance.