Berlin Airlift: The Cold War Begins - Extra 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

[@DramaticFlora]

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

[@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.*

[@nighthawkm04]

@@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

[@Hypnopotimus27]

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

[@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

[@Juliuscaesar0315]

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.

[@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.

[@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?

[@TheCrackedFirebird]

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

[@AlechiaTheWitch]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@PilkScientist]

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

[@Paragoth]

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

[@tkd2703]

..

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@PintoBeean]

That'd be a super cool story to tell your kids.

[@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.

[@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)

[@WorrierJTD]

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

[@NobelTheKnave]

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

[@pizzadog7575]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@ZoneSkye]

*surprised Pikachu face*

[@Quadrolithium]

Pizdec!

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@PilkScientist]

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

[@NobelTheKnave]

“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.

[@anthonymort5202]

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

[@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.

[@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!?

[@14deadratsinatrenchcoat]

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

[@tombombadilofficial]

What an uplifting story.

[@azelfdaboi5265]

literally

[@samdodsworth9480]

You mean airlifting

[@festethephule7553]

@Vadim Kaz What part of this is disgraceful?

[@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

[@Paul-oi2wz]

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

[@geraldgrenier8132]

stock pile of pre-blockaed already brewed beer.

[@PilkScientist]

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!

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@TakaG]

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

[@dudeyeah665]

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

[@MarkIsTiredAlways]

Yes

[@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. 😎

[@chrisp9859]

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

[@nerd5487]

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

[@AlechiaTheWitch]

Which almost made ze guns go brr

[@afghanistanguy1016]

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

[@SirKnighticus]

The Candy Bomber! Halverson is such an awesome guy!

[@薛陳月美-r6f]

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

[@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.

[@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).

[@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*

[@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

[@TheDarkendstar]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@S3thc0n]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@Your_western_knight]

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

[@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 :)

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@MisterofBattle]

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.

[@weirddude928]

Soviets WE OWN ALL OF BERLIN SOON Truman hold my beer

[@Chirpysemperboy]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@justanotherweirdhumanbeing6862]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@thedoomslayer7512]

Its over russia I have the moral high ground

[@baccamafia4363]

You underestimate my power!!!!

[@センナ-h4c]

@ѕílvєrhαwk HardBass and gopniks too JK that's too modern

[@Ethan-mp7wr]

Alexander the Greater and my capability to threaten to murder his own people unless they join the army

[@kitchenjail3546]

Alexander the Greater don't try it *Berlin blockade fails spectacularly*

[@punchdreadnought8101]

Western Allies: u have gopniks but we have mad jack, bazooka charlie and the BOB SEMPLE TANKS.

[@austinm5630]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@lukefeatherston130]

Stalin: Hmm, should I supply my people with food which would lead them to trust me and have my communist movement be more popular, or should I invest in weapons? Stalin: Invests in weapons

[@xxxdumbwordstupidnumberxxx4844]

Lucas Buttercups After WW2, the USSR was a powerhouse in terms of weapons production, to the point where the AK is the most widespread rifle in the world, even today. Shame they couldn't build farmers.

[@mr.bluefox3511]

@@xxxdumbwordstupidnumberxxx4844 did the RPG invented in that time too?? I mean AK & RPG are the one of many most popular weapons for the longest time, they both created in Russia too (or USSR at that time)

[@xxxdumbwordstupidnumberxxx4844]

@@mr.bluefox3511 The RPG-1 was created in the early/mid 40's, but was replaced by the RPG-2 in 1954, which was then replaced with the more iconic, well known, and what most people think of when they hear 'rpg', RPG-7.

[@SRK_223]

Stalin made some insanely stupid moves! As a Dictator you should first try to give the people some trust and make friends... then when time has come you secretly build an army lol WHY waste time and effort now for weapons when you already have an impressive and strong army

[@m3gawither7734]

Stalin: maybe I shouldn't take all of the Ukraine's food🤔 12 seconds later! Stalin: *takes food* 👍

[@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.

[@tummywubs5071]

This should be taught more in schools as yes this had its propaganda... but it just turned into a beautiful fighting spirit and care and generally puts a nice smile on your face. Humans can be idiots but also at the same time lovely people.

[@thenewfireguy5658]

it is taught a decent bit for me. we learned why it happened, what they did and the end result

[@petrsukenik9266]

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

[@marekvrbka]

This is what I call sponsorship, literally everybody wins.

[@DamonNomad82]

Except for Stalin! :)

[@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

[@the_major]

This is one of my favorite stories of the 20th century. It's truly an incredible moment that all Americans should be proud to have been a part of. My grandfather served under Gen. Tonner in Asia as a pilot flying supplies to Burma and China so this story is near and dear to me.

[@Quroe_]

You guys impress me with your storytelling capability with every. Single. Episode. You make. I am blown away, and some parts of this episode welled up some touching emotions in me. Well done!

[@schizoidboy]

The Berlin Airlift was one of the few times Stalin was brought down, and it was done without resorting to war. It was a common thing for the Soviets to starve people into submission as they did to the Ukraine in the 1920s. The airlift was a way of thinking outside of the box and it worked brilliantly not only getting supplies in but also bringing different groups together who years earlier were fighting each other and on a publicity level it worked brilliantly. The one side starved and intimidated whereas the other side was not only bringing food and supplies but also dropping candy to the children, when you keep people alive you control the moral high ground.

[@schizoidboy]

Anyone's knowledge of history is always limited hence it always needs to be researched. There is however, a difference between history and propaganda which the Soviets specialized in, the climate might be the part of the reason for the famine but Soviet incompetence in handling the matter only made things worse. America went through drought especially in during the period called the dust bowl, there was never any famine in America. Instead they set up conversation programs that restored the land. Russia just took the food from the country and sent it to the cities. As for commenting on my knowledge history, along with propaganda I also know a troll when I read one. I am not going to respond any further.

[@dliu4827]

schizoidboy You do realize that the amount of farmland in the US far exceeds that of the USSR, right? The US "dust bowl" affected one part of the US (the mid-West), but the farmland in California and the East was perfectly fine, and more than enough to sustain the entire country. The US didn't starve to that extent because it went from having a surplus to having just enough food. The USSR went from having just enough food to having NOT ENOUGH food. The west more or less blockaded the USSR since it came into existence (even attempting an invasion), so that meant that there was not enough food in the USSR to feed everyone and no way for supplies to come in. What would you have done in that situation? While I know you didn't intend to, you, as many have, have succumbed to believing false equivalent logic that Americans often use, more or less meaning the US brings up some example of a outwardly similar situation in their country and uses it to claim that it is evidence that other nations or places could solve their problems had they done what the US done, except that it is actually impossible. Thus, this flawed logic often causes misunderstandings. The US is blessed with idealistic conditions and almost unlimited resources. Not everyone is this lucky, so please do not think that the rest of the world is crazy when we do things differently from you.

[@Icetea-2000]

Alany Walany Yes, they originally agreed to not divide Germany. However, it became clear very soon that the soviets would only agree on a unified Germany as a socialist/communist nation and as their ally. So the allies really had no choice whatsoever

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@paperxzone4938]

0:56 Germany vs. Sweden

[@DrachenKaiser]

The last one germany vs sweden took 30 years.

[@Ramosway2]

​@@DrachenKaiserlol

[@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.

[@Thelure2112]

You know, your videos are so good that when I was a history teacher. I would actually use some of your videos to introduce a topic to my students. Not obviously as the whole lesson but a way to engage them early. Almost like a "cold open" as it were.

[@hackhenk]

I use them for my tests and I'm getting straight A's :)

[@Thelure2112]

My Inner teacher frowns at that, my inner student says "well ain't that clever".

[@hackhenk]

Of course I mean as a way of studying before the test. I'm saying I'm learning from this. :)

[@Grymbaldknight]

This was genuinely touching... former enemies helping each other through hard times because the war was over; they had no reason to hold a grudge against people who meant them no ill will. There was sincere gratitude on both sides. Also, communism can take a long walk off a short pier.

[@low-polyhexagonalrat]

Grymbaldknight agreed. It's moments like this or the ww1 Christmas ceasefire that shows how despite our differences humans can get along.

[@Overhazard]

Well, more like communism, at least the way Karl Marx would've wanted it, was much too idealistic and impractical to be done on a scale as large as the USSR. Marx genuinely thought it was a good idea. He just didn't account for human nature to be anything besides straightforward and brimming with honesty. (To that end, there are some very small communities in which communism has worked out very well and in the way Marx described in his books, but small communities where everyone knows each other are about as far as it can really go.)

[@Grymbaldknight]

In extremely small communities, communism *can* work. However, if you get above a society larger than a couple of hundred people (e.g. any sort of city, county, or nation), it cannot function. Theft and power-grabs are ever-present when one is not held personally accountable to one's peers. The only way to make communism work in larger societies is to basically become fascism; a state where everyone is equal... except the dictator, his lackeys, and the police. This happened to the USSR, China, North Korea, etc.

[@Overhazard]

Yeah, I remember thinking the same things when I read Karl Marx's works in college, namely that communism the way he envisioned it would require everyone to know each other well enough that everybody keeps each other in line. The biggest fallacy to it all, if you ask me, is that he wanted everyone to be equal when it's against human nature to do so. As you mentioned, communist countries keep turning into dictatorships, and that is because of the human desire to feel superior.

[@michasiscov5115]

Overhazard In that case I don't think it's about the human nature to feel superior.. Just about the role model USSR in stores if it was a democratic good communist state this would inspire many to become so but instead stalin took power for himself and instord dictatorship.Human nature is also to help each other don't forget it Its just that the leading communist country set a bad exemple and when there is a communist revolution there's a vacuum lack of power often filled by a dictator ship.

[@calebbennetts3559]

Wow. I'd heard about this before, but I never realized what a beautiful humanitarian effort it was or how much it did to repair hostilities from the war. Amazing.

[@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.

[@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$$”

[@lauraj5450]

I CAN'T THANK YOU GUYS ENOUGH FOR MAKING THESE VIDEOS! They're absolutely PERFECT for my 6th graders. Not too long, not too complicated, great animation! ; - )

[@BSBoertje]

Amazing, I've been looking forward to a Cold War series!

[@timothymclean]

And thus, the end date of Extra History topics creeps subtly forward.

[@jophielswings]

Just a single episode, but still fantastic!

[@tartantoaster2219]

And thus the end comes indeed

[@justnoob8141]

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

[@thegregorys7800]

Truman: use mod c-57s

[@jst56strong]

Glory to the warrior who can lay down his arms after the battle and extend a hand up to his fellow man. That whole people who just months ago were shooting at each other made me happy. :D

[@stonecoldaj8488]

years* this took place 3 years after the end of world war 2.

[@darthrevan4933]

StoneColdAJ all things considered that time difference isn't much

[@nicolas44991]

Kinda like the French and Germans after WW2 it tooks 3 wars to get thoses countries to be friends

[@CasualGuy60]

@jst56strong It actually cheered me up after a horrible day at work, faith in humanity restored (casually / colloquially said)

[@mirinewman]

The animation and art in this episode was truly on another level. Extra History always looks amazing, but I mean 3:23 LOOK AT THAT HAND!!!

[@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

[@thepotato1328]

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