What was organized by the free countries to keep west Berlin from starving?

Answer 1

In June 1948, Stalin ordered all rail and road links to Berlin through East German territory to be closed. He believed this would stop people leaving and force Western Powers to withdraw their troops from the city. Stalin's action was again international law and the Western Powers were determined to remain. Berlin gave the West a military foothold in East Germany that they would not give up. The Americans wanted to demonstrate that they would support people who resisted communism. The Western Powers could not force their way through the blockade as this would risk all out war and they were greatly outnumbered by Soviet forces. The only way to beat the blockade without risking war was to supply the city by air. The Berlin Air Lift lasted for 8 months. British and American Cargo planes flew into the city at a rate of one every two minutes. Millions of tons of food, fuel and other supplies were delivered. Despite this massive effort, the city still suffered from shortages and rationing had to be introduced. Electricity could only be switched on for a few hours each day. After eight months, it as clear that the Western Powers would not leave and Stalin ended the blockade. This was a defeat for the Soviets and a Propaganda victory for the West. The Americans convinced the world that Stalin aimed to take over the whole of Germany and then the rest of Western Europe.