Berlin Airlift: The Cold War Begins - Extra History

📜 History of the Berlin Airlift and the Cold War
Tension between the Soviet Union and their former World War 2 Allies escalated into a hostile blockade of Berlin. All sides wanted to avoid another war, but the United States, Great Britain, and France refused to bend to Stalin's pressure. They came up with a daring plan to supply Berlin by air.
* Watch Extra History ad-free & get 1-week early access on NEBULA go.nebula.tv/extrahistory
* Suggest & Vote on our next episodes, get exclusive content & 24-hour early access on PATREON bit.ly/EHPatreon
* Show off your fandom with MERCH from our store! extracredits.store/
Interested in sponsoring an episode? Email us: [e-mail]
TWITTER: bit.ly/ECTweet I FACEBOOK: bit.ly/ECFBPage
INSTAGRAM: bit.ly/ECisonInstagram I TIKTOK: bit.ly/ECtiktokz
BLUESKY: bit.ly/ECBlueSky I TWITCH: bit.ly/ECtwitch
GAMING: / @extracredits
Thanks for the high-quality conversations & for following our community guidelines here: bit.ly/ECFansRNice
Artist: Joseph Maslov I Writer: Robert Rath & James Portnow I Voice: Daniel Floyd I Editor: Carrie Floyd I ♪ Extra History Theme by Demetori: bit.ly/1EQA5N7 I ♪ Extra History Theme by Sean & Dean Kiner
#ExtraHistory #BerlinAirlift #History

[@extrahistory]

The Soviet Union has blockaded half of Berlin. The people will soon starve. Only the daring, impossible Berlin Airlift can save the city and prevent another World War. This episode brought to you by DomiNations! Try the game free: smarturl.it/BerlinAirlift

[@nicolaspeters5980]

congrats on getting in the youtube rewind :D

[@Honkler270]

good job on getting that feature in the end of the youtube rewind

[@ppg7373]

Extra Credits this video is one of your best . Please make a series of highlights of the cold war

[@benjackson1454]

Thanks for doing this series, it is fantastic.

[@timothymclean]

I'm amused that both the West and the USSR wanted a German buffer. If only they could agree on the minor issue if if Germany should suffer inhumanely or be rebuilt, perhaps there would be no Cold War.

[@mattmckane9454]

Gail Halvorsen, the famed "Candy Bomber" has just died at age 101 at the time of writing this. Very sad to see this hero gone, but his legacy shall live on in the hearts of all those who have heard and seen his works.

[@EchoTravelsUSA]

🫡 🇺🇸

[@mrreyes5004]

Agreed, bro. The man quite literally went above and beyond; even though the Airlift lacked the usual war heroes, in a way that's exactly why the pilots who braved the perilous skies deserve their fame and efforts to be recognized. Halvorsen wasn't even looking for fame IIRC, he just dropped extra bags of candy for the sheer humanitarian sake of feeding the city's starved kids. The man has my undying respect for his courage and compassion, something the world could always use more of, especially in these times.

[@idontknoq4813]

nooooooooo

[@sebifry8053]

🫡

[@shebibscreations8544]

o7

[@hmm1740]

Stalin: Hippity Hoppity Berlin is now my propperty Pilots: *supplies berlin via air* Stalin: Blyat

[@Simon-xs5oz]

damn... XD

[@finnishwehraboo8377]

Daymmmmmm

[@the_really_tired_one]

Some Doge XD

[@zuenseow]

*surprised Pikachu face*

[@Quadrolithium]

Pizdec!

[@Drace90]

"Blitz survivors in London sent care packages to Berlin." Proof that humanity does have a heart.

[@mini2239]

Governments started the airlift

[@whitelightalt5381]

*didn't the aircraft bring care packages during the war.*

[@nighthawkmmnp2806]

@@kylejscheffler more of, governments start the wars and command them, but people fight in them. Almost never will you see a politician in a battlefield.

[@lazymansload520]

It’d take a lot more than that to convince me there’s any inherent goodness in the human race

[@jackmatthews8468]

Proof that Europeans would rather work together than kill one another. After all our real enemies are not our neighbours.

[@TheCrackedFirebird]

"A chaotic, cowboy operation." As an USMC Vet, I can confirm that this describes all our operations damn near.

[@ttry1152]

Yeah. Yeah. Yeeeeeaaah

[@matthewcody6796]

Are You sure?

[@TheCrackedFirebird]

@@matthewcody6796 Most are.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

@@matthewcody6796 Are YOU sure?

[@threekisded5302]

And me trying to touch my freinds soft drink can

[@pieguy6992]

This gave me an idea for an alternative Chess gamemode. I call it "The Cold War." How it works: The two opponents have to make moves each turn. If a Chess piece is moved into a position where it can attack _any_ piece, it HAS to. The goal is to get as close as possible to being able to attack, but not actually ever attacking, for as long as possible.

[@pmoon4848]

Genius

[@brasilballs]

You just described checkers with that extra gimmick

[@averagecustodes2562]

Wow that's a great idea

[@lolipedofin]

@@brasilballs Except when a capturing moves were made, a mushroom cloud immediately explodes over the board.

[@ethanleffler4741]

*BIG BRAIN*

[@chrisc1140]

The Berlin Airlift was also notable for being the first major operation by the USAF as an independent branch of the US Military. It was less than a year old at the start of the operation!

[@TheCrackedFirebird]

Of course the Chair Force holds on to this (joking as this was an awesome display if what the Air Force can do when they think logically).

[@thunderbird1921]

And just two years later, they would prove their battle value in the skies above Korea. Talk about getting off to a fast start.

[@AlphaZero4000]

The US President actually tried this. He's a Tru Man.

[@collinsje5]

Harry Truman was a very tough-minded president and is well-remembered by history.

[@quasar7951]

Boo, get off the stage

[@seanmcdonald5859]

Uh . . . .what? . . . . . .

[@liamweaver2944]

*Slow clap*

[@cocotaveras8975]

Slow clap

[@harbl99]

"We can feed an entire city for fifteen months to prove a point. Imagine what else we can do with that level of logistics..." -- Truman (with a little bit of planning help from the Brits)

[@treasurefamting]

harbl99 “a little bit”

[@Mitaka.Kotsuka]

optimism from the Brits actually... thing that surprisingly the american airforce lack at the time

[@coolsceegaming6178]

It’s like me with my school “If I can raise everyone history grades by unofficially teaching them for 8 months, imagine what else we could do with that level of dedication.

[@hallamhal]

A little bit of planning help, and 190 planes ;)

[@shorrell8529]

+ a crap load of British planes and resources

[@Rynewulf]

Truman: It's over Stalin, I have the highground!

[@nkvdcomradeorion7336]

You underestimate our piles of bodies.

[@theduelist455]

Stalin: I should have known the capitalists were plotting to take over!

[@josephf817]

Stalin: on my Point of View the capitalist are evil.

[@kenneth9452]

Now witness the firepower of this fully armed and operational nuke

[@Cloud43001]

Stalin: I HATE YOU!

[@johnmatkinson]

Personally, I owe my existence to the Berlin Arlift. A US Air Force mechanic and sheet metal worker who spent WWII in New Guinea was sent to RAF Mildenhall to work on these planes. He met a young lady during his spare time, fell in love, and eventually married her. Their son was my father.

[@colinp2238]

I served with NATO in West Germany in the 70s and met many US soldiers, some were Vietnam vets and one asked me if I knew what the patch US ARMY stands for. When I said US Army he said "No! Uncle Sam Ain't Released Me Yet" because they were conscripted (drafted) into service at that time.

[@addisonwelsh]

That's actually a pretty good pun, circumstances not withstanding.

[@foxydash9992]

colin Paterson I know you most likely get this a lot but thanks you for you service

[@colinp2238]

@@memelyshorts643 Have you a suggestion for an alternative way? I wonder where you live?

[@earlybird2835]

@@memelyshorts643 Soooo you have an alternative?

[@MrHistory269]

@@earlybird2835 how about Social Democracy?

[@springlockstudio9836]

“We stay in Berlin. *Period* “ One of the most epic presidential quotes in HISTORY

[@Sevofthesands]

Mad lad.

[@georgkostler4185]

Periodt

[@ajburling6060]

@@robertcrawshaw9978 Yes, because they achieved their end goal of a prosperous, truly democratic Germany

[@lightlysalted7790]

We stay in Berlin. .

[@nooneinparticular5256]

Truman was a terrifying badass, with big glasses.

[@2MeterLP]

In germany the airlift planes are colloquially called "Rosinenbomber" (Raisin bombers) because of the sweets they dropped

[@ringodoom2559]

Yeah I was disappointed the term Rosinenbomber wasnt mentioned. Its still a well known word in Germany.

[@merrittanimation7721]

Best name for an food airdrop ever

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Lovely story

[@ben-2368]

What is the Germans/Berliners perspective on the Berlin Airlift?

[@simon-rv5sr]

@@ben-2368 real good Thing the Americans ans britains die before the Americans elected that fat idiot

[@Paul-oi2wz]

I love how Berlin didn't had calories but still had beer.

[@geraldgrenier8132]

stock pile of pre-blockaed already brewed beer.

[@Mlpzeldafan011100]

Paul Sirota how do you think they got those 900 claories/day?

[@Slash-XVI]

beer doesn't exactly have all that many calories and though it is very unlikely that everyone in berlin would just have a stock-pile of beer in their basement, with the huge amount of people involved there are some who certainly had. These events are generaly individual stories told because they were memorable, imagining every pilot to be given his fill of beer would definitly be overimaginative.

[@theholk]

@slash: It doesn't have per weight. But if you discount the water ration in it, there is a reason why it is called "liquid bread". Beer solves two issues in in these kinds of situation. It IS rather nutritious, and it is a source of "clean" water. (As in not contaminated).

[@somethinglikethat2176]

Priorities!

[@m.bukhori2304]

Stalin: "hey, guess what? I'm blockading all of your supply routes to West Berlin, what are you gonna do about it?" Truman: "I suppose we'll just fly the supplies in" (Fly noise) Stalin: "alright Truman, you win this round"

[@martyjrpowell1014]

Oversimplified

[@naskahama6569]

*cough*Oversimplified *cough cough* (copycat)

[@ideka6374]

I see that you are a being of culture as well.

[@springlockstudio9836]

**cough** *Oversimplified* **cough**

[@pizzadog7575]

Bruh he didn't copy he just wanted to quote the man- Hippety Hoppoty Stalin is now Capitalist's property

[@nerd5487]

Stalin: Nooo you cant just fly supplies into Berlin Truman: Haha plane go brr

[@ttry1152]

Which almost made ze guns go brr

[@phendan]

My grandfather was born a few years before the war ended and grew up as Germany was being rebuilt and restructured. He didn't live in Berlin, but times were still harsh. So much so that his grandfather had to go back to work just to stay afloat. He still remembers relatives from France and the US sending care packages once a month to help out. Judging by the look in his eyes whenever he tells that story, that support meant the world to him.

[@kendalljennings3417]

A few years ago I found a German cousin through the ancestry forums with the same sort of story - she was a little girl in East Germany in the 50s, and remembered being sent a pair of bright red patent leather shoes from relatives in North Dakota.

[@QuickAnice]

Is there any way I could message you about this? I'm a History teacher and I would love to hear this story, and to have it inspire and motivate my students.

[@loug1016]

The 79 people who died during this airlift/blockade are the true heroes of this era. I'm crying because of how powerful this story was.

[@foldervtolvr]

So basically: Soviets: “Haha no more resources for Berlin, you capitalist pigs better leave or everyone starves!” America: “You forgot one crucial thing: you can’t blockade the skies” Soviets: “But you could never airlift enough supplies to feed and fuel an entire city!” America: “Watch Me”

[@BloodWoof]

Bu- bu- but I SAID WATCH ME! Proceeds to air drop supply with an industrial capacity that allowed them to fight japan and in europe a few years prior

[@florians9949]

@@BloodWoof may e not lietrally Japan, other wise Berlin is screwed.

[@randompersonwhocomments3645]

America: Hold my beer

[@TheYigafooWisperer]

Stalin:"Alright, Truman. You win this time."

[@nursestoyland]

You can blockade rail, you can blockade the roads, but you can never blockade the skies *cue in American aircraft*

[@WonderfulAkari]

The candy bomber is a huge symbol of how great cruelty can lead to great kindness.

[@Isolder74]

and to think that all started with two sticks of gum.

[@Sharky4152]

My grandfather was one of the pilots during the airlift. I'll be calling him to listen to his stories, if he has any.

[@thomaaas_8487]

god's earthly form Tell us

[@Sharky4152]

thomaaas_ I will.

[@Mlpzeldafan011100]

god's earthly form I'm just gonna comment on this so I can hear any stories you have to share

[@pengwnbuster]

Aye I'm lookin for some personal recounts

[@bubblemouth5856]

A

[@kaciphillips5687]

My teacher tried to tell me this wasn't real when I was in the 3rd grade. My grandfather, however, told me very differently. Great to see a series on this.

[@falcore91]

Kaci Phillips why did your teacher try to tell you differently?

[@sean668]

Where are you from?

[@darthrevan4933]

Sayem the hell is that supposed to mean? I was taught about this and I'm not from the US

[@nicolas44991]

what kind of teacher does that ?

[@hunterdianovich4620]

@Kaci Phillips Doesn't surprise me, the U.S were the staunchest and most hard nosed when it came to countering the soviets, but nowadays more people want to move towards communism.

[@anthonymort5202]

I dont think people realize how beautiful this is everyone came together to make sure the german people wouldnt die

[@dudeyeah665]

Stalin: *Blockades Berlin Truman: I'm about to do whats called a pro-gamer move

[@idk-zi3gw]

Yes

[@3rdJan]

God, as a young West-Berliner, I love this moment in history. This almost made me cry, god damnit. The planes are now known as "Rosinenbomber", which is German for "raisin bombers". I just can't imagine the kinds of effort it must've taken for everyone participating for keeping up this kind of insane supply of a whole city for over a year!

[@rzu1474]

Themarcotot good thing that feeding berlin was politically helpful to the US. They clearly showed that they dont care about civilians and City's.

[@TheOwlGilga]

Shadow Paws the Panda, They had nothing to risk, they had much more military strength than the Soviets because of their nuclear arsenal.

[@kaloyandraganov9462]

Yeah they had one or two experimental bombs which they need air supperiority to have a chance to use

[@TheOwlGilga]

by 1950 the USA already had 300 bombs, enough to easily win the war against a nation without any.

[@MrKeserian]

kalo dos At that point in time, the Allies would have had a very good chance of securing air superiority. The Soviet Union had few strategic bombers, little experience in escorting strategic bomber formations, and the western allies were already beginning to deploy early jet fighters.

[@TheNorthie]

My grandfather was one of the doormen in the airdrop. He said he thought he was going to die and the next WW would start. After this he claimed this is the reason he never served in the Korean War. Idk why but he survived, and most of his friends who went to Korea didn’t.

[@Mlpzeldafan011100]

The Northie (commenting so I can see replies or any other stories here)

[@AlexVasiluta]

NES guy Me too

[@JK03011997]

Mine lived in east Berlin at the time, and was starving, so chances are I would have never been born, had your grandfather not decided that humans were more important than revenge, vindication and state borders

[@poop-for-brains]

Nice! My grandfather was one of the pilots who flew in the operation, dude was a total bastard lol.

[@tkd2703]

..

[@eltsoldier]

I really like how even the Luftwaffe came around and started helping out. You have to wonder how, after they'd suffered so many crippling defeats, the Allies still gave them a real chance to help out their country. That must have really helped their pride.

[@Wiretale1]

Stalin: *blocks the roads* Truman: “parry this you filthy casual”

[@christophervelisaris2309]

The only good part of KZbin rewind was when you guys were in the credit part!

[@haleme9244]

Christopher Velisaris It all ways feels good when the only people you recognise are in the credits.

[@tartantoaster2219]

The EXTRA credits! EDIT:wow 72

[@CFGPGFF]

lol

[@hat-eating-cthulu-goat3221]

Yeah, same.

[@liamwhite3522]

The credits this year were great.

[@trystansimmons7890]

Wait what THE HELL? At the part where Truman is reading the options and you said the starving population drives them out, and one of the civilians threw a TOMATO? THATS FOOD!!!!

[@thekillercrowbar]

yeah, but tomatoes are gross soooo

[@CapitalTeeth]

To be fair i would never eat a tomato. I hate eating the stuff that much.

[@ejthenobody]

I mean, it could be so rotten and bruised that you might as well die while eating it. I like eating tomatoes by the way.

[@griffinh.966]

@@thekillercrowbar wtf tomatoes are good

[@griffinh.966]

@@CapitalTeeth why do people hate tomatoes they're good

[@14deadratsinatrenchcoat]

This legit made me tear up. “People who were shooting at each other just three years before, were now working together”

[@joshuakostyushko]

How is no-one talking about the pun at 7:52? Are you STALINg?

[@futuregodkingoftheuniverse8381]

Yeah, right? We’re not lenin them get away with that!

[@thismuricanboi7869]

Holy crap I actually didn’t notice that...

[@chadpodell]

Stalin be staling God why did i do this

[@KSPUnitedYT]

Future god king of the universe ur a genius

[@theamateurhistorian3053]

No idea

[@user-rv8yv4yh9n]

the Berlin airlift was amazing, I love how clever the solution was and how clearly the allies bodied the soviet blockade without violence

[@---uf2zl]

Garik One of the rare conflicts where the good and clever guys won over brute force.

[@Fernando-bp6xd]

'Starving population' THROWS TOMATO 🍅

[@azelfdaboi5265]

Maybe it's a brick painted as a tomato

[@williamsledge3151]

🍅

[@georggross1232]

Correction: rotten tomatoes.

[@imacookieboichocchip8819]

You got copied bud.

[@definitely_vincible]

Its just to say how Berliners would "drive out" the soldiers

[@petrsukenik9266]

Virgin soviet "you wronged us, now suffer" Vs Based allied "you wronged us, but we will not let you starve"

[@afghanistanguy1016]

Truman: "We stay in Berlin, period" Me: "I stay subscribed to Extra Credits, period"

[@xyced]

When dividing Europe in half, coloring red and blue, it would have been nice to have Austria divided in half, since Austria had 4 occupation zones as well and was not a communist state.

[@giantnanomachine]

Huh, I guess as an Austrian I should have noticed that. I blame moving to the Netherlands :) Rather than dividing Austria in two halves it would have been even more accurate to not color it at all, like Sweden. During the Cold War Austria was neither a member of NATO nor one of the USSR, maintaining an officially neutral status after the end of the occupation. And before that in contrast to Germany the borders between the occupation zones were never fully closed or blockaded. Officially Austria is still a neutral nation today, although I don't think that status would still pass inspection these days :D

[@luckynumber7908]

Also It became neutral not long after, same thing with Switzerland.

[@aidymacBrago]

svick so essentially part of the USSR since they were all puppet states

[@MyStarmann]

@pack.wolf Well to be fair, Austrian neutrality always was solely of military nature (officially speaking). Any other type of neutrality that we relate Austria to is merely a public relations trick Austria used in its diplomacy. Austria was always closer to the west after WW2 and basically had to buy its freedom from the Soviets with oil. Which is also why the iron curtain was as present on the Austrian border as in most parts of Germany (except for Berlin), although that is post occupation. Where you are right, is that the military neutrality of Austria is a little under fire recently, especially as they participate in “European Battle Groups” (=military exercises with Germany).

[@wahlex841]

@Rogue Element (Ravager) Nah, not really. Otherwise Prague Spring or Hungarian uprising wouldn't have happened.

[@Nyghtking]

Bismarck would have had a better plan, he always had a plan.

[@andersasblom6452]

Would it involve Walpole?

[@snababo3914]

Bismarck's plan would have meant it never happened in the first place

[@tartantoaster2219]

He was a brilliant man

[@hat-eating-cthulu-goat3221]

If Bismarck had lived that long, I´m pretty sure WW2 wouldn´t have happened, he would have held the fragile government together that was too frail to prevent Hitlers rise to power.

[@royaldraco4442]

Indeed. 😎

[@weirddude928]

Soviets WE OWN ALL OF BERLIN SOON Truman hold my beer

[@Chirpysemperboy]

Truman: I'm about to ruin this man's career.

[@boysilly5629]

Truman is sadly overshadowed by his superb predecessor. Big shoes to fill.

[@collinsje5]

Yes, but he is usually rated 6th out of 44 when US presidents are ranked. That makes him one of the greats.

[@nooneinparticular5256]

Never could the man be called indecisive. And a grim light behind those glasses.

[@thunderbird1921]

Eisenhower overshadows him too in many ways.

[@nooneinparticular5256]

@@thunderbird1921 I wish we had leaders like Truman, or Eisenhower again. Simple, to-the-point leaders, who were unfocused on smear & political theater, and attentive to doing a good job.

[@thunderbird1921]

@@nooneinparticular5256 ESPECIALLY Eisenhower. He'd despise both parties today. All that matters now is ramming agenda through, calling any who oppose or disagree an enemy of America, and participating in cancel culture. Meanwhile, the ACTUAL needs of the regular people are almost NEVER met (and neither side seems to care much).

[@JK03011997]

I am very glad you did this video. It is a very emotional topic for me and my family. My grandparents lived in east Berlin at the time, my grandfather, a veteran employed in the war effort at ~17 now without any prospect. They often told me of the "Rosinenbomber" [Raisin-bombers] and how important they were to not losing hope.

[@otteroftoast2616]

"Under pressure from Truman" I absolutely love that picture! On serious note, however, this is why I love history-- one of several reasons-- but a large one. Stories of people banding together, massive operations that change the face of the Earth, and all of these, frankly, gorgeous character studies of both the greats and the common people, I love it~ The more I learn about it, the more inspired I am to make my own legacy something worth remembering. Hot-dog, now I'm all full of optimism!! WHO WILL JOIN ME!?

[@SKINWALKER]

I love NATO's slogan: "To keep the Americans in, the Communists out and the Nazi's down."

[@brandongarris8996]

Alpin Art that’s because the USA had a very large Germany population and we haven’t gone through the process of denaization

[@janknoblich4129]

@@brandongarris8996 That is complete bs

[@OK-ws7ti]

Supreme Snek yeah and I’ve never seen North Korea, so what.

[@addisonwelsh]

@Alpin Art I can't believe how clever they are using the name ANTIFA to hide the fact that they're secretly fascists. Very clever, but we're on to them.

[@mrbisshie]

@@brandongarris8996 Hey now, we're trying to get rid of them(Antifa), but the media keeps making them out as good guys.

[@chrisp9859]

7:25 Rest In Peace, Gail Halvorsen. You brought happiness to so many.

[@mathdemigod8162]

As a side note, allied WW2 bombs are still being found in berlin. Just a month ago I had to evacuate from my home because a large ww2 era bomb was found not 500 meters from my apartment building. So. Many. Bombs.

[@bristoled93]

WW2 bombs are still being found today in the UK too.

[@Stryke607]

we still find bombs in every german city regularly. Also, the entire North and Baltic Sea are still being cleared from mines. Basically, in WW1 and WW2 every party just dropped insane amounts of mines everywhere ... without documenting it properly. It's a nightmare. Also, there are still a lot of areas that have a completely reshaped landscape. My local forest is plastered with bomb craters, which gives it an interesting character.

[@commanderkei9537]

On one hand, I'm horrified by what was done to the civilian population of Germany during WWII as a result of the Allied strategic bombing campaign. On the other hand, the fact that we dropped THAT many bombs gives me a slight patriotic tingle

[@Prich319]

and NC still has a lost nuclear weapon lying around somewhere.

[@monkey9111989]

In New Jersey there are bombs buried at Sandy Hook beach from WW2 making it too dangerous to use a metal detector

[@tombombadilofficial]

What an uplifting story.

[@azelfdaboi5265]

literally

[@samdodsworth9480]

You mean airlifting

[@festethephule7553]

@Vadim Kaz What part of this is disgraceful?

[@gachapluto696]

10:35 It was the beginning of a new kind of war. Hey who turned down the thermostat?!

[@coffeejellysupremacy2199]

I think it’s was America or USSR

[@bondrewdthelordofdawn3744]

Squidward

[@austinm5630]

"General William Tunner was a taciturn man who loved him some charts." Sounds like my kinda guy. Nuff said.

[@kyuven]

Man the Cold War era of world politics has always been so interesting. Tension you could cut with a knife, but that ever-present threat kept everyone sharp and motivated.

[@lenrat117]

Clement Attlee was prime minister of the UK during the Berlin airlift, not Churchill. It’s a shame he gets ignored so much, especially since he’s one of our greatest prime ministers.

[@pengwnbuster]

lenrat117 WELCOME TO LIES #1

[@nikoclesceri2267]

Yes but he said don’t put them in warbirds (face palm) since when do you trust the communists

[@nerdsforever4852]

yep the guy is the father of modern Britain

[@CallumCormie]

He set up the Welfare state and the NHS, and ensured that everyone was entitled to healthcare. I dare you to prove that isn't great.

[@TheBespectacledN00b]

Callum Cormie Eh, some form of welfare state had existed at least since the Liberal governments of Campbell-Bannerman and Asquith.

[@justanotherweirdhumanbeing6862]

9:26 "the allies turned Germany into their comrades" * soviet laughing in the background *

[@justnoob8141]

Stalin: [Use Russian Winter] Truman: In Berlin? In Germany? Stalin: [It’s not effective]

[@thegregorys7800]

Truman: use mod c-57s

[@pablowako]

More on cold war!

[@VashdaCrash]

Yeah, like that thing that happened in Cuba. That has to be thrilling.

[@joao_1986]

Up

[@TheSweetaffroman]

Guys the creators of the great War, is starting up a new channel "Time ghost" with new topics they are doing a day to day video about the Cuban crisis.

[@marktaylor6491]

So much to cover:-

[@marktaylor6491]

So much to cover:- Korean Way Vietnam War Cuban Missile Crisis Berlin Wall Events in the Middle East Events in Africa Events in Latin America Plus it will be curious to see if events like:- Iran 1953 The Indonesian Genocide Chile 1973 Etc

[@TheDarkendstar]

Just like Bismark always had a plan Germns always have beer.

[@tommmicron]

10:32 I don't remember a Soviet-controlled Austria after the war

[@BlaudracheLP]

neither do I. Is 2020 Alternate History?

[@alexisbudzisz]

Thank you, I was looking for this! Why so low though?

[@bruhboi4692]

Wasnt Austria also divided like Germany until 1955

[@TheLostStars]

@@bruhboi4692 a large part would be Blue on that map

[@ThatGUY666666]

I first heard of this back in High-school which would have been about 12 years ago and I must say it still amazes me. The logistics of moving that much cargo alone is nothing short of extraordinary. Combine this with mid-twentieth century technology, it had to go through hostile territory, it involved so many people who spoke different languages, and that many of those people had literally been trying to kill each other less than five years prior. It was nothing short of a miracle of logistics.

[@SirKnighticus]

The Candy Bomber! Halverson is such an awesome guy!

[@user-iq8xl8rk8q]

Crazy to think that the candy drop all started with 2 chocolate bars

[@justjoking5252]

薛陳月美. Close. Two pieces of gum, but that fact was minor, so I understand confusion.

[@greg7753]

SirKnighticus the new B99 supply bomber,able to supply one pound of f o o d per d a y

[@TakaG]

I'm happy you mentioned the Candy Bomber. :)

[@dionadair8195]

Stalin: Surely the winter will stop them. America: Do you even know us? Please.

[@justnoob8141]

Stalin say the winter will stop them but forget to say *RUSSIAN* Allies: Congratulation, you play yourself

[@brianpatrick8787]

Stalin forgot the simple fact with out American war production his troops would have been defeated in short order . US made trucks made his drive to Berlin possible. US food keep his people alive doing his Russian winters. He was losing the war until the allies open a second front and drew off Germany troops and materials. Britain a tiny island was shipping Russia supplies while fighting off both Germany,Italy and Japan. Russia only fought one for and than demended spoils of war from Japan a nation they never helped fight. If Russian had declared war in 41 Japan would have been leveled by air attacks by 42 if US bombers could have used Russian bases.

[@thepotato1328]

Cabinet: “we have 3 options.” Truman: “there is another..”

[@Roechelrochen]

Might be me being drunk but I got tears in my eyes when the part about Germans bringing beer and seeing the pilots as comrades came up. I enjoy the parts of history where people overcome their "differences" for the greater good so much. It's really touching :)

[@alexengelsman4193]

In the map at 10:30, they show Switzerland as a NATO country and Austria as a Soviet country - both of which are, I believe, false.

[@HusseinDoha]

Alex Engelsman Switzerland (as natural as it looked) was in Western camp. Not part of NATO, though.

[@azelfdaboi5265]

Austria was split like Germany but was reunited in 1955

[@ypsilondaone]

Yep. Wrong map. Im from austria. Austria was the diplomatic Meeting place for east and West. Reunited in '55.

[@danielcisneros6941]

Maybe is, a mistake in other episodes they even correct what they do in an aditional video.

[@corn1971]

Yeah, after all foreign troops left Austrian in 55 and the country reunited, it became a neutral state as per the terms of the west and Soviets agreement to leave the country.

[@cjdizzl0618]

at 6:20 i would like to pay respect to my uncle how died as a tail gunner on a plane during this operation. may you rest in peace Leroy

[@alexesteves9420]

0:46 starving *throws tomato

[@marekvrbka]

This is what I call sponsorship, literally everybody wins.

[@DamonNomad82]

Except for Stalin! :)

[@grimm_plush]

you darn capitalists with your food

[@boomdos4265]

I know right.

[@localcrazyrussian4511]

Understandable, comrade

[@blackace7782]

Go starve commies

[@liftfork]

William Barton we don’t have to starve them, they’ll do it themselves

[@alejandrodecorse9437]

huffpuff1337 LMAO

[@emdasch6065]

10:11 Portugal was a founding member of NATO, not Spain... Spain only joined in 1982.

[@benc.3128]

Plus, Spain being under a dictatorship

[@admiralprince7925]

3:26 Russia: (leaves) Britain: Gasp! France: Farwell... America: *B Y E*

[@snowmanleblanc6053]

lol true

[@victortran4561]

I would feel like America would go:”I WIN! I FING WIN YOU B&$4/a$$”

[@Icenri]

A little correction: Spain didn't join NATO until long passed Franco's death.

[@glorytotheaprdeathtotheufl7917]

Icenri that kinda confused me too

[@Marylandbrony]

I think there was some kind of defense treaty with Franco signed in 1953.

[@MrAntraxico]

I was looking for this comment and had a quick search on Wikipedia (I know, I know. Not the best source). It doesn't say that it joined NATO but the UN. So yes, the comment section is right. I love historical community on KZbin.

[@stormbringer2189]

Franco sounded like a mad man

[@MrAntraxico]

I am against the whole good guys bad guys in war but Franco was definitely an evil man from the sources. Mad? I would not know. But evil for sure.

[@S3thc0n]

As a German, this is one of the most beautiful, heartwarming and inspiring stories I've heard. Thank you.

[@janwitkowsky8787]

This and the Christmas Truce video are among those Extra History that can make me tear up. It shows the best of humanity, when faced by the worst of humanity.

[@Phlowermom]

"He loved him some charts", has to be the funniest thing I've heard today!

[@fev1027]

I really dig this new art style. Stalin looks like some kind of anime villain. His moustache has more personality than entire characters.

[@stormbringer2189]

I love that mustache symbol of power.

[@neyoid]

Especially during the deutschmark part

[@TeamTimeless]

My great uncle died flying relief aid to China through the Himalayas, it's interesting to see how much the allied forces did around the world that wasn't purely military in nature. Sometimes it's really good to get those stories out there too.

[@corpsimmons575]

I loved the detail on the planes when you were showing the sides. The Dc-3 (C-47 Skytrain) and DC-4 (C-54) are amazing planes and the fact you spent the time drawing the planes to a near-T is mind-blowing.

[@ajimit8669]

Allies: it's over Stalin, we have the high ground!

[@juanchololgamex8653]

Stalin: YOU UNDERESTIMATE MY PILES OF BODIES

[@ppg7373]

Please an entire series about Cold War Highlights Like if you want to see this too

[@liamwhite3522]

Is the cold war even really over?

[@scj6693]

P Pg They only do videos that people vote for on Patreon.

[@ppg7373]

Nobienify I know but it’s worth a try Maybe it’s show them(extra credits as well as the patreon supporters) the idea

[@hawlitakerful]

Cold war is very interesting BUT and thats a big BUT is it already over long enough to put it really in a neutral and unbiased perspective as for example Suleman the Great or others?....

[@sethdutton217]

CT-7428 the Soviet Union fell but It has a new name and the tensions are still there not as strong but when there’s two super powers in the world there will always be tension.

[@Ma-pz2fy]

Congrats for being in the YT rewind :D

[@blitzburn2871]

You know, their placement in the rewind really showcases how youtube is nowdays. The marketable and interchangable faces are kept at the front while the really great stuff is stoved away in the back.

[@FalbertForester]

The lessons learned in the Berlin Airlift also were applied within a few years to air travel in general and especially to the air transport of packages.

[@chheinrich8486]

Well with air traffic expanding WIDLY DURING THAT TIME, it was needed

[@abbarhazes7029]

9:23 Truman:it's over Stalin we have the moral high ground Stalin:you underestimate my power

[@mysteriousmuffin6017]

FeLdEr jYnX Stalin: *makes nuclear bomb*

[@virgiljianu7166]

@@mysteriousmuffin6017 America:Makes nuclear bomb as well

[@mysteriousmuffin6017]

Virgil Jianu Stalin: dies of a cerebral haemorrhage

[@chickensandwich1761]

Stalin, aka me: *sends Mysterious Muffin to Gulag*

[@unnamedking8200]

I have a great uncle that tells me about the airlift everytime I meet him. No matter how many times I hear it, I will never stop him. History should never be forgotten.

[@timothymclean]

Dividing Germany and Berlin was the worst possible choice except for escalating tensions between the Allies. Unfortunately, those were the only real options.

[@sinthoras1917]

Timothy McLean Stalin wanted to unite Germany, but the Western Allies denied.

[@JgarnO1]

sinthoras If by unite you mean creating a soviet puppet state

[@Mr.Sparks.173]

I think the Allies wanted a united Germany as well, the big problem was the Allies wanted a united Germany on their side, where the USSR wanted a united germany on their side

[@JgarnO1]

Cogwheel The Allies wanted a Prosperous German nation to stand alongside them against communism while Stalin only wanted more land and bodies between him and his enemies

[@aidymacBrago]

Under the Allies the Germans got their own state, under the Soviets the Germans got a puppet State run by the Soviets

[@MrAGNTJ]

when i try to make my classmates help with the class proyect 4:40 lol

[@LeetleToady7]

My teacher showed this video a few years ago in class, and it lead to my discovery of this channel, which I am absolutely grateful for.

[@janomghranac795]

nice episode Austria was not in the hands of the eastern block though

[@rjfaber1991]

Austria was actually divided like Germany was, and Vienna got the same treatment as Berlin. The great difference is that neither the Western allies nor the Soviets were particularly interested in Austria, so rather than suffer the geopolitical mess that Germany did, Austria was able to form a stable government internally, and declare itself neutral between the two blocks after that.

[@janomghranac795]

thank you, couldn't have said it better myself

[@fanfan1184]

yeah was just about to say that

I did wonder about that when I saw that map. Actually I did not know before that Austria had been divided up like that, I just sort of assumed that it became its own nation again directly after the war. One would think we would learn more about our neighboring country (me being a German).

[@janomghranac795]

Lucas Treffenstädt you know many Austrians don't know that. But Vienna was a hell hole like Berlin. And they didn't get this much attention. People accualy were better of in Slowakia since there was enough food.

[@rollington9024]

Love the video. Your blue - red map and the flags are a bit weird. Denmark was a founding member of NATO, Spain was under Franco and didn't join NATO until 1982, Austria was divided up in occupation zones until 1955 and Ireland and Switzerland were officially neutral during the whole period.

[@danielw9542]

9:38 Western powers towards Stalin: Congratulations, you've played yourself.

[@mr.s2005]

Rest in Peace Candy bomber: Gail Seymour Halvorsen (October 10, 1920 - February 16, 2022)

[@terabera3390]

You gotta give it to a man, a pilot who probably was sleep deprived, overworked, doing an impossible task, taking on just a teeny bit of extra work so that he could bring a little candy to a few children who had little else to look forward too. Our world needs more people like that.

[@thejuiceisloose]

One of the West's finest hours.

[@pladderisawesome]

Hey, just goes to show that people can do amazing things for the right reasons.

[@chaosXP3RT]

Did the East ever have any fine hours?

[@srijayasalim3608]

@@chaosXP3RT Battle of Stalingrad

[@argyrendehringterimksaccu174]

@@chaosXP3RT the fact that Alexander died or the sovjet officer who didn't go off from a false alarm literal miracle

[@AndorRadnai]

@@chaosXP3RT There were a few times where Eastern Border guards purposefully missed people escaping the Berlin Wall for example. Also a lot of people who did their best to help other civilians escape. (And ended up in prison as a result) The occupation, as horrible a time as it may have been, often brought out the best in people.

[@StephanePare]

It's mind boggling that they ran this without computers. All charts made by hand, no software tools to plan routes, maintenance or personnel rotation. Truly impressive.

[@CEKROM]

7:30 That's nice of him =D

[@MT-ic7ub]

Its just amazing how many peoples took part. Im from Wales and my grandfather always talks about seeing Swansea being bombed to rubble by the Germans and yet is so proud that he got to play a part in the Berlin airlift.

[@HusseinDoha]

Mister Tracy British calculated and Americans executed it. But many people donated the food.

[@m15t3rdud3]

THANK YOU FOR HAVING UNOBTRUSIVE ADVERTISING!!! You guys have talked about brand trust recently, and I appreciate the heck out of the sponsorship bit being small and not a focal point of the episode. I may even go check out the game for not requiring 2 minutes of fake praise.

[@epicgamergames9855]

Allies: You may have outsmarted me but I outsmarted your outsmarting

[@charlesmagrath5218]

Hey just wanted to say I love the drama in the "setting the stage" section, and your overall narrative. Truely one of my favorite channels on KZbin.

[@pedrolombardero538]

9:22 It's over Stalin,I have the high ground

[@dynasty0019]

USSR 1949: You underestimate my power! USSR 1991: I HATE YOU!!

[@neptunexkyrogaming7424]

Pedro Lombardero

[@generalaccount6531]

"Russian Federation, can you hear me?" "Yes, Master. Where is Ukraine? Is she safe? Is she still a part of my nation?" " It seems, in your anger, you expelled her from your federation" "I...I couldn't have. She was my republic! I felt it! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[@KendrixTermina]

To all the USA folks posting stuff about how their family members contributed: Your grandpas all have my sincerest thanks for helping to rebuild our country after that omnicidal tyrant and his cronies ran it into the ground.

[@54lolman]

Oh.Well uh....that was certainly different from what I was expecting the message to be cause usually when the comment starts off with "To all the americans/US folk who say this" its usually followed by a paragraph of reasons as to why we weren't as influential as we thought we were or just outright cursing us out.

[@thet-3432]

Stealthyhunter I agree

[@cassiereno114]

It's scary to think about how easily Berlin could've given in to Russia out of sheer desperation. I actually think this is a good example of why you should always try to keep a level head and not to give up just because someone's using political tactics to try to make you feel uncertain and panicked, we could really use the mindset here in the States (and all over the world, actually) right now.

[@driss1808]

Stealthyhunter probably cause your country sucks mega ass, thanks for berlin tho

[@Udontkno7]

Cassie Reno Exactly. We gotta get our nation back on its feet, and have a overhaul of change on how we run things.

[@andrewfriberg1558]

Although this is really late, I'd just thought I'd add that American and British views on how to handle occupied Germany were not so different from Soviet views, at least immediately after the war. According to one historian (Andrei Cherny) there was some US general (his name escapes me) who said something to the effect of "we're willing to subjugate Germany for the next three decades, and the German people can eat out of soup kitchens until they learn humility." However, the experiences of most Allied personnel did not hold with the caricature of warmongering Germans. As most of the population exhausted by war, the airmen (including Halvorsen) were surprised both by the magnitude of destruction in Berlin and by the people, who wanted nothing to do with war. According to the same book, it would also be difficult to put an official "start date" on the airlift. Planes began dropping supplies in Berlin mostly as a bid to extend the time the military could survive, and it wasn't expected to do much. Except for the expertise of General Tunner, it wouldn't have. Tunner was likely the only person in the world who could have pulled it off; he was a logistics genius who managed the first large scale airlift in history over the Himalayas (compare this to Goering's promise to supply the 6th army in Stalingrad). Anyways, loved the video, and the channel in general. If anyone notices that I got anything wrong, or has something to add, I'd be interested. My source is "The Candy Bombers" by the aforementioned Andrei Cherny, which I highly recommend.

[@swissuz]

Andrew....you are right about Gen Tunner. Did you know him? You talk about him as if you did. My father was his chief navigator for close to 20 years. He flew with him "Over the Hump" (the Himalayas) with two other pilots who all became Tunner's main crew and lifelong friends. A better man you could not find. My father had the utmost respect for him, yet off duty, our families spent time with all of the crew. We were all often station in the same place until Tunner retired in 1960. Gail Halvorson has gotten a tremendous amount of notoriety for being the "Candy Bomber". I would never take away any of that from him. However, General Tunner has not received the same kind of attention.....I suppose because the appeal to children is so endearing. General Tunner took over after General Curtis LeMay because of his airlift experience with Chinese Nationalists. Every person involved in the Berlin Airlift was a hero or heroine. They all were one team that made a miracle happen.