"BERLIN LIES DEEP WITHIN THE RUSSIAN ZONE"

RUSSIANS STOP MOTOR TRAFFIC BETWEEN BERLIN & THE WEST

Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) On June 15, 1948, the Associated Press reports that "the Russians halted motor traffic between Berlin and the west for a while today and also stopped 140 carloads of coal inbound from the British zone*."

Traffic was diverted to bypass a bridge across the Elbe River which was "closed for repairs."   A six-mile detour route which included ferry service across the river was provided.

*Post World War II Germany was divided into four zones of occupation at the Potsdam Conference.  Great Britain-NW, France-SW, US-S & USSR-E.  The city of Berlin was also divided into four occupation zones between those same countries.

JFK+50 NOTE

We chose this day in 1948 because it is my birth date.  As I celebrate my 76th year, it is bittersweet because June 15th is also the date of my wedding anniversary.  

My wife, Beverly, passed in April 2023 so I have had two birthdays and two anniversaries without her.  I have fond memories, however, of many birthday/anniversary celebrations with her.

SOURCE

"Reds Detour Traffic On Road From Berlin," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 15, 1948, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Map of Postwar Germany

by Matritum

www.deviantart.com/

 

"GENERAL CLAY HAS BEEN IN THIS CITY DURING ITS GREAT MOMENTS OF CRISIS"

SOVIETS RESTRICT TRAFFIC BETWEEN FREE ZONES IN BERLIN

Berlin (JFK+50) On April 1, 1948, the Soviet Union issued orders restricting Western military and passenger traffic between the American, British and French zones of occupation. 

Cold War tensions were high in this occupied city of Germany. The city had been divided into 4 sectors with the Soviets controlling the fourth zone.  Germany itself was also divided into 4 zones of occupation leaving the free sectors of Berlin (American, British & French) surrounded by Soviet controlled territory.

Also, on April 1st, the Soviets announced that no cargo could leave Berlin by rail without permission of the Soviet commander.  Every train was to be searched.

On April 2nd, General Lucius Clay* ordered a halt to all military trains and required supplies for the military garrison be transported by air.  This became known as "The Little Lift."

Although the Soviets eased restrictions on April 10th, they continued to occasionally interrupt rail and road traffic for the next 75 days.  In June 1948, the Soviet attempt to blockade the free sectors of Berlin, which were surrounded by Soviet territory, failed.

*General Lucius D. Clay (1898-1978) was born in Marietta, GA & educated at West Point.  LDC was deputy to General Eisenhower during WWII & served as senior administrative officer in occupied Germany (1945-1949).  

In 1961, JFK asked LDC to be an adviser during the Berlin Crisis & accompanied the President to Berlin in June 1963.  There, JFK said.."General Clay...has been in this city during its great moments of crisis and will come again if ever needed." 

General Lucius D. Clay

Truman Library Photo