Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Transport > Railway
West Berlin Train Crew Prepare to Travel, Berlin, 1949
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
West Berlin Train Crew Prepare to Travel, Berlin, 1949
Photograph showing the crew of a West Berlin locomotive hoisting the banner Greetings to Western Germany onto the front of their train at the end of the Berlin Blockade, May 1949. This train was about to make its first journey out of West Berlin to Western Germany, via East Germany, for a year. Between April 1948 and May 1949 Josef Stalin, leader of the USSR, imposed a land blockade on supplies from Western Europe to West Berlin. In response the British and American governments organised an enormous airlift to supply food and other essentials to the 2.5 million inhabitants of West Berlin. After a year Stalin conceded defeat and lifted the land blockade
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 4391815
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10219890
1948 1949 Air Lift Banner Berlin Blockade Conceded Crew Defeat Enormous Essentials Governments Hoisting Imposed Inhabitants Josef Journey Lifted Locomotive Million Organised Prepare Response Stalin Supplies Supply Uss R Year
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Transport
> Railway
> Transportation
> Trains
EDITORS COMMENTS
West Berlin Train Crew Prepare to Travel: A Historical Moment of Triumph and Defiance, May 1949 This evocative photograph captures the moment the crew of a West Berlin locomotive hoist the banner "Greetings to Western Germany" onto the front of their train, marking its first journey out of West Berlin to Western Germany, via East Germany, after the end of the Berlin Blockade in May 1949. The train's departure signified the triumph of the Western Allies and the defiance of the Soviet Union, which had imposed a land blockade on supplies from Western Europe to West Berlin between April 1948 and May 1949. The blockade, orchestrated by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, aimed to isolate and starve the 2.5 million inhabitants of West Berlin. In response, the British and American governments organized an enormous airlift to supply food and other essentials to the city. The airlift, which lasted for a year, was a remarkable feat of logistics and diplomacy, with over 200,000 flights transporting 1.5 million tons of supplies. The crew's preparations to make this historic journey were a poignant reminder of the resilience and determination of the West Berliners, who had endured months of hardship and uncertainty. The train's journey through East Germany was a symbolic act of defiance against the Soviet Union, and the hoisting of the banner "Greetings to Western Germany" was a powerful statement of solidarity with the wider Western world. This photograph is a testament to the historical significance of the Berlin Airlift, which ultimately led to Stalin's defeat and the lifting of the land blockade. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of unity, resilience, and determination in the face of adversity.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
