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NARRATOR
In 1945,
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British and American pilots
had rained death and destruction
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on Germany.
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Now in 1948,
they were flying again
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to Berlin.
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This time, they were
keeping the city alive.
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'
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BRANAGH: Berliners were a
beaten people in 1945.
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Their fate was
in the hands
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of the Russians, Americans,
British, and French --
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their conquerors.
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Germany was divided into four
occupation zones --
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Soviet, American,
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British, and French.
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Three and a half million
Berliners lived in a city
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110 miles
behind the Russian lines.
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Berlin was linked
to the West
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by a highway and a railway
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which ran
through the Soviet Zone.
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The city itself was divided
into four sectors,
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Soviet, American,
British, and French.
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[speaking Russian ]
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INTERPRETER: Berlin and
Germany were the only places
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where the two sides
came into contact,
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that is Soviet troops
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and troops from
the Allied countries.
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In other places
we didn't have direct contact
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between our two
armed forces.
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That was one
of the reasons
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why Berlin became a battlefield
for the Cold War.
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BRANAGH: Berliners had lived
a precarious existence
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for years.
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Food was at near starvation
levels
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and currency was worthless.
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The Black market was king.
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[speaking German ]
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INTERPRETER:
We bartered everything.
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A non-smoker who got
cigarettes with his ration cards
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would gladly take them
because he could barter them
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for something
more useful.
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Naturally, we all did it.
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Cigarettes were
our currency.
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The black market was the only
thing that kept us alive.
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BRANAGH: British Foreign
Secretary Ernest Bevin
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had a plan
for Germany.
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He didn't like
the Germans,
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but believed that European
recovery depended on them.
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We have to try
and recreate Germany
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on a democratic basis,
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give her a chance
to live,
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at the same time make sure
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that the security
of the rest of Europe
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is preserved
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and that aggression cannot
take place again.
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BRANAGH: Soviet military
maneuvers near Berlin.
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By 1948, the honeymoon
among the Allies
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was long over.
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The Soviets wanted
a weak Germany
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under Four Power control.
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America, Britain, and France
were secretly planning
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a new German state in their
occupation zones.
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Spies told
the Soviet military governor,
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Marshal Vassily Sokolovsky,
about the plan.
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[speaking Russian ]
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INTERPRETER:
He gathered all of us together
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and read out
an intelligence report.
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The report stated that a secret
conference about Germany
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was held in London.
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He read out everything
that was discussed in London.
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BRANAGH: Sir Brian Robertson,
the British Military Governor,
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and his American counterpart,
General Lucius D. Clay,
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had to implement
the western plans.
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MAN: General Clay was
the hardest working man
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I've ever
encountered.
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No vacation.
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He skipped lunch because he
considered that a waste of time.
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Instead, he had 20 cups
of coffee
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and two packs
of cigarettes a day.
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What impressed me
particularly
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was his fantastic ability
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to absorb
difficult questions
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that were quite outside of the
framework of his experience.
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After all, he was
a professional soldier.
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BRANAGH: The Allied Control
Council met regularly in Berlin.
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Usually, as here,
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the proceedings followed
a well-worn path.
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The American General Clay
and his Western partners
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exchanged routine information
with their Soviet counterparts.
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But on March 20, 1948,
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Sokolovsky wanted more.
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[speaking Russian ]
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INTERPRETER: He spoke in a very
tactful and polite fashion,
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in a very
restrained way.
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He said, "Could you please
fill us in,
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tell us what happened
at the meeting in London."
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[ Koval speaking Russian ]
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Clay replied that they weren't
going to look into it.
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Sokolovsky then asked
what was the point
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of having a Control Council
if they were not
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going to tell us
what went on in London
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and if they kept secret
from us
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the various issues
concerning Germany.
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"Have we or haven't we got
a Control Council?"
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The Russian just stood up
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and he had about five
or six of them
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on the left
and on the right of him
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and they just walked out,
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which was not called for
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because when
they closed the meeting,
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it was always done
in a professional manner
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and the General just told
everybody to stay put
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'cause the meeting
wasn't over.
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BRANAGH: The former Allies
provoked each other.
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The West had no intention
of budging from Berlin,
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but knew the Soviets
wanted them out.
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They feared Stalin might risk
war to achieve it.
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The Western Allies planned
a currency reform
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in their zones.
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It would wipe out
black market profiteers
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by making old currency
valueless,
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and it would tie Germans
to the west.
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The Russians weren't
told.
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May Day 1948.
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In the Soviet zone,
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Stalin had merged the Socialist
and Communist parties.
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The new grouping,
the Socialist Unity Party,
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was out in strength.
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There was even a side swipe
at Winston Churchill.
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For the demonstrators,
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the real target was
the city council,
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the Magistrat,
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which wanted to run
all Berlin on western lines.
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[speaking German ]
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INTERPRETER: The majority
of the Berlin City Council,
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supported by
the Social Democrats
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and the Christian
Democrats,
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believed that
with currency reform
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there would be an immediate
upturn in the economy.
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In particular,
there would be
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increased investment by
entrepreneurs.
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On the other hand,
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the Socialist Unity Party
councillors saw it as a threat
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to the still incomplete
nationalization of property
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which had belonged
to the big companies,
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to war criminals,
and to Nazi party members --
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generally to all those
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whom the Socialist Unity Party
blamed
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for supporting Hitler
in 1933.
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BRANAGH: The stage was
set for confrontation
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between
the Socialist Unity Party
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and their pro-western
opponents.
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These were led
by Ernst Reuter,
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whose family had once been
forced to flee from Hitler.
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His election as mayor
of all Berlin
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had been vetoed
by the Russians.
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It was a very
tense atmosphere again
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full of possibilities
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that the Russians
would try
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to enforce their power
in that part of the country,
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in the city of Berlin,
of course,
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that maybe the family again
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would have to flee
from dictatorship.
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BRANAGH: West Germans lined
up for their new money --
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the Deutsch Mark.
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Each person could exchange
40 Marks
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and only 40 Marks.
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All other old money
was worthless.
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The Soviets retaliated by
issuing their own new currency,
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which, they insisted,
would include all of Berlin.
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Currency and political power
were synonymous at that time.
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And therefore
it was so important
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that the western currency,
the D-Mark,
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had to be introduced
into West Berlin
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and not the eastern
German currency.
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BRANAGH: General Clay and
the Western Allies were
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persuaded by Ernst Reuter
to issue the new Deutsch Mark
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00:11:29,083 --> 00:11:30,927
in West Berlin.
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The new Deutsch Mark,
stamped with a B for Berlin,
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was introduced
in the Western sectors
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on June 23.
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There were now two currencies
in the city.
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Berliners discovered
that the western D-Marks
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were worth more.
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[speaking German ]
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INTERPRETER: Many people from the
West frequently travelled to the East
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and, of course,
bought up what they could.
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East Marks and West Marks,
if you can call them that,
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were usually one to seven
or one to five.
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That is, we got seven or five
East German Marks
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for one West Mark.
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And, as we found out later,
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it was a sell-out,
at least around Berlin.
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BRANAGH: The introduction of the
new western currency in Berlin
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infuriated the Soviets,
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who debated
what to do next.
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[speaking Russian ]
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Sokolovsky picked up
the special phone
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and rang Molotov.
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He said, "We're discussing
these matters.
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What shall we do?"
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We all understood the
seriousness of the situation.
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Molotov replied, "You're not
planning to bring
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tanks out into the streets,
are you?"
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00:13:08,248 --> 00:13:11,857
Sokolovsky said,
"No, not in the streets,
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but I'll move them closer
to Berlin."
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00:13:18,332 --> 00:13:21,178
"No, don't do that!"
Molotov said.
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00:13:21,237 --> 00:13:23,081
"Let's wait a bit.
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If you bring in the tanks
you will be accused
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of planning to seize
the whole of Berlin
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and they will bring out
their tanks.
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It's better to resolve
this issue
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by using diplomatic language."
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BRANAGH: The Soviets blocked all
major road, rail and canal links
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between West Berlin
and Western Germany.
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They made no concerted effort
to seal every route,
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but delivery of the 12,000 tons
of food and coal
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00:13:59,867 --> 00:14:02,873
normally supplied
by the west to Berlin every day
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00:14:02,940 --> 00:14:06,185
was now impossible.
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The Soviets out
electricity supplies
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to factories
and offices.
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West Berliners could
do little.
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Their only large power station
had been dismantled
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for reparations
by the Soviets in 1945.
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00:14:31,988 --> 00:14:34,162
The Western allies imposed
a counter-blockade
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on the Soviet zone.
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Workers throughout
the whole of Berlin
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faced unemployment
and hardship.
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[speaking German ]
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INTERPRETER: First of all,
it was a terrible shock.
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Wherever you went,
everyone asked,
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"Oh, my God!
What will happen to us now?"
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00:14:53,858 --> 00:14:57,239
[ man speaking German
on PA]
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00:14:57,297 --> 00:14:59,710
BRANAGH: Stalin's
purpose was clear --
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00:14:59,767 --> 00:15:02,181
to force the Western allies
to change their policies
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or quit Berlin.
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In 1945,
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the Western allies had made
a written agreement
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with the Soviets.
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Planes could fly
along three air corridors
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20 miles wide
to two Berlin airfields,
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Tempelhof and Gatow.
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00:15:21,904 --> 00:15:26,515
Seaplanes could also set down
on Lake Havel.
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The British responded
to the challenge.
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00:15:32,655 --> 00:15:35,035
They planned
an airlift.
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00:15:35,093 --> 00:15:37,267
Foreign Secretary Bevin
put his weight behind the idea.
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The physical suffering
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00:15:41,670 --> 00:15:45,485
of two and a half million
people in Berlin
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to try and influence
the Allies --
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00:15:48,215 --> 00:15:50,787
the Western powers --
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00:15:50,853 --> 00:15:53,494
in their treatment
of the Germans
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and try to force us out
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is one which
we are unable to accept.
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00:15:59,566 --> 00:16:02,674
BRANAGH: General Clay,
the American commander,
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00:16:02,738 --> 00:16:05,186
didn't believe
an airlift would work.
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00:16:05,243 --> 00:16:07,851
He had wanted
to test Soviet resolve
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00:16:07,914 --> 00:16:10,897
by running an armed convoy
through the blockade.
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00:16:10,952 --> 00:16:14,367
Reluctantly, he agreed
to pursue the airlift idea
258
00:16:14,425 --> 00:16:17,101
with Ernst Reuter.
259
00:16:17,163 --> 00:16:19,839
LOCHNER: Clay had said that this
would mean extreme hardship
260
00:16:19,901 --> 00:16:23,043
and how little we could
bring in at first.
261
00:16:23,106 --> 00:16:25,816
And he asked Reuter
point-blank,
262
00:16:25,877 --> 00:16:30,260
"Do you think the Berliners
will be able to take it?"
263
00:16:30,318 --> 00:16:33,267
Reuter quietly replied,
264
00:16:33,323 --> 00:16:35,395
"You take care of
the airlift.
265
00:16:35,460 --> 00:16:38,102
I'll take care
of the Berliners."
266
00:16:38,164 --> 00:16:40,476
And Clay said
that was good enough.
267
00:16:40,535 --> 00:16:44,451
He'd call up General LeMay
and said,
268
00:16:44,508 --> 00:16:49,359
"General we're going
to haul coal into Berlin!"
269
00:16:49,417 --> 00:16:52,491
"Coal?"
General LeMay said.
270
00:16:52,555 --> 00:16:56,699
He said, "Yeah, we're going
to keep this city alive."
271
00:16:59,373 --> 00:17:04,052
BRANAGH: The Berlin airlift
began at the end of June.
272
00:17:04,114 --> 00:17:06,722
The Americans called it
"Operation Vittles,"
273
00:17:06,785 --> 00:17:10,759
the British
"Plainfare."
274
00:17:10,825 --> 00:17:13,569
The airlift had to deliver
2,000 tons
275
00:17:13,630 --> 00:17:15,633
of supplies a day.
276
00:17:15,700 --> 00:17:19,149
Without it, West Berliners
couldn't survive.
277
00:17:20,641 --> 00:17:23,055
They had coal for only
45 days
278
00:17:23,112 --> 00:17:27,120
and food
for only 36.
279
00:17:50,792 --> 00:17:52,397
[ Barowsky speaking German ]
280
00:17:52,462 --> 00:17:54,340
INTERPRETER:
The airlift began,
281
00:17:54,398 --> 00:17:57,279
which was welcomed with
incredible enthusiasm.
282
00:17:57,336 --> 00:18:00,080
People had such
confidence in it.
283
00:18:00,141 --> 00:18:03,590
It was really remarkable.
284
00:18:06,952 --> 00:18:09,230
People thought,
"Why shouldn't it work?
285
00:18:09,290 --> 00:18:11,362
They dropped so many bombs
on Berlin,
286
00:18:11,426 --> 00:18:15,502
they should be able
to drop potatoes!"
287
00:18:15,566 --> 00:18:20,713
[ laughs ]
288
00:18:37,069 --> 00:18:40,349
BRANAGH: Thousands of
Berliners found jobs --
289
00:18:40,408 --> 00:18:42,582
and one hot meal a day --
290
00:18:42,645 --> 00:18:45,526
working for
the airlift.
291
00:18:45,583 --> 00:18:47,154
[speaking German ]
292
00:18:47,219 --> 00:18:48,699
INTERPRETER: We were
divided into work gangs
293
00:18:48,755 --> 00:18:51,738
supervised
by an American overseer.
294
00:18:51,793 --> 00:18:53,398
Each gang was ordered
one by one
295
00:18:53,463 --> 00:18:55,102
to the planes
as they came in.
296
00:18:55,166 --> 00:18:58,809
"Go to the next plane."
297
00:18:58,872 --> 00:19:03,290
BRANAGH: Each of the larger
planes carried nine tons.
298
00:19:03,346 --> 00:19:04,951
[Weber speaking German ]
299
00:19:05,015 --> 00:19:07,588
INTERPRETER: We could unload each
plane in roughly seven minutes.
300
00:19:07,653 --> 00:19:11,535
That was nine "short tons"
of coal.
301
00:19:14,531 --> 00:19:18,175
BRANAGH: The British hired
civilian operators.
302
00:19:18,238 --> 00:19:22,417
There weren't many people in
England that had any airplanes
303
00:19:22,478 --> 00:19:25,154
but I was very lucky at the time
304
00:19:25,216 --> 00:19:28,961
in as much that I actually owned
305
00:19:29,022 --> 00:19:32,267
12 converted Halifax bombers.
306
00:19:32,327 --> 00:19:36,073
The government came along
and said,
307
00:19:36,134 --> 00:19:38,274
"Oh, can we do something
with these airplanes?"
308
00:19:38,337 --> 00:19:40,376
I said, "Of course."
309
00:19:40,442 --> 00:19:43,186
But, remember, we all thought
that the Berlin airlift
310
00:19:43,246 --> 00:19:45,989
was only gonna
last two or three weeks
311
00:19:46,050 --> 00:19:49,296
or there would
have been a war.
312
00:19:49,356 --> 00:19:51,564
BRANAGH:
America now raised the stakes
313
00:19:51,626 --> 00:19:53,767
by sending B-29 bombers,
314
00:19:53,831 --> 00:19:55,743
capable of carrying
atom bombs
315
00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:57,712
to Britain.
316
00:19:57,770 --> 00:20:00,776
The move was
highly publicized.
317
00:20:01,977 --> 00:20:04,823
NARRATOR: These are the men whose
nerve-wracking job it may be
318
00:20:04,882 --> 00:20:08,388
to fight their way through
weather and Red obstruction.
319
00:20:12,061 --> 00:20:14,201
So grave is the crisis
320
00:20:14,264 --> 00:20:16,644
that General Clay is recalled
to Washington
321
00:20:16,702 --> 00:20:18,740
to report
on the situation.
322
00:20:18,805 --> 00:20:21,287
He is greeted by
Secretary of the Army, Royall
323
00:20:21,343 --> 00:20:23,757
and then is welcomed
by Chief of Staff, Omar Bradley.
324
00:20:26,451 --> 00:20:28,558
On his shoulders may rest
the responsibility
325
00:20:28,622 --> 00:20:30,534
for peace or war
326
00:20:30,591 --> 00:20:32,333
and the Commander-in-Chief
at the White House
327
00:20:32,394 --> 00:20:35,104
awaits his appraisal of
the most explosive situation yet
328
00:20:35,165 --> 00:20:38,239
in the struggle
between East and West.
329
00:20:38,304 --> 00:20:41,845
BRANAGH: Clay argued once
again that he be allowed
330
00:20:41,911 --> 00:20:45,656
to confront the Soviets
with an armed convoy.
331
00:20:46,785 --> 00:20:49,165
Now if the Soviets
stepped aside
332
00:20:49,223 --> 00:20:51,670
and the convoy
went through,
333
00:20:51,726 --> 00:20:55,040
then peace would continue.
334
00:20:55,099 --> 00:20:57,740
If they chose not
to let the convoy through,
335
00:20:57,803 --> 00:20:59,716
then it meant war.
336
00:20:59,774 --> 00:21:01,721
It was
just that simple.
337
00:21:01,777 --> 00:21:04,157
And the last thing
in the world
338
00:21:04,214 --> 00:21:07,754
President Truman wanted
to do was see our country
339
00:21:07,820 --> 00:21:10,428
get into another
great war.
340
00:21:10,491 --> 00:21:13,269
We had just
come out of one.
341
00:21:13,330 --> 00:21:15,242
BRANAGH:
So, no armed convoy,
342
00:21:15,299 --> 00:21:17,838
but more planes
for the airlift.
343
00:21:17,904 --> 00:21:20,580
Since I have been
in Washington,
344
00:21:20,642 --> 00:21:24,991
I have been assured
of an additional supply
345
00:21:25,049 --> 00:21:27,189
of C-54$,
346
00:21:27,252 --> 00:21:29,996
which carry 10 tons,
347
00:21:30,057 --> 00:21:32,334
to replace the C-47s.
348
00:21:32,394 --> 00:21:35,240
And this will enable us
to build our airlift up
349
00:21:35,299 --> 00:21:37,713
to 4,500 tons a day.
350
00:21:37,770 --> 00:21:40,048
This tonnage will enable us
351
00:21:40,108 --> 00:21:42,612
to maintain Berlin
indefinitely
352
00:21:42,678 --> 00:21:45,092
while we try to find
a peaceful solution
353
00:21:45,149 --> 00:21:47,391
to the Berlin problem.
354
00:21:47,453 --> 00:21:50,060
BRANAGH:
In August,
355
00:21:50,124 --> 00:21:53,232
Stalin visited
an air show near Moscow.
356
00:21:53,295 --> 00:21:55,675
He was confident
that the Soviet blockade
357
00:21:55,733 --> 00:21:58,045
of Berlin's western sectors
would be enough
358
00:21:58,104 --> 00:22:01,178
to force the allies back
to the negotiation table.
359
00:22:01,243 --> 00:22:05,661
But time wasn't necessarily
on his side.
360
00:22:05,717 --> 00:22:07,698
The West's counter-blockade
of coal,
361
00:22:07,753 --> 00:22:09,665
steel,
and machine tools
362
00:22:09,723 --> 00:22:10,702
was beginning
to bite.
363
00:22:14,465 --> 00:22:18,142
When Western diplomats
asked for talks,
364
00:22:18,204 --> 00:22:20,151
he agreed.
365
00:22:20,207 --> 00:22:23,281
[speaking Russian ]
366
00:22:23,345 --> 00:22:26,886
INTERPRETER:
Stalin was very calm.
367
00:22:26,952 --> 00:22:29,958
He smoked.
368
00:22:30,024 --> 00:22:33,439
He didn't walk about
like he usually did.
369
00:22:38,237 --> 00:22:40,185
Normally he would
pace around
370
00:22:40,241 --> 00:22:42,552
like a cat
in his soft boots
371
00:22:42,611 --> 00:22:45,423
but this time
he stayed seated.
372
00:22:48,187 --> 00:22:52,002
He had no notes
next to him.
373
00:22:54,932 --> 00:22:58,848
He said, "The question
is very important
374
00:22:58,905 --> 00:23:02,047
from an economic
point of view.
375
00:23:02,110 --> 00:23:05,686
But this is not
the most important issue.
376
00:23:05,750 --> 00:23:09,757
What is more important
are the decisions
377
00:23:09,823 --> 00:23:12,669
you have taken in London.
378
00:23:12,728 --> 00:23:15,677
We insist that you should revoke
these decisions
379
00:23:15,733 --> 00:23:18,113
or at least postpone
their implementation
380
00:23:18,171 --> 00:23:21,052
until we get together again
to discuss the question
381
00:23:21,109 --> 00:23:24,024
of Germany.
382
00:23:24,080 --> 00:23:26,688
He saw that Germany was
going to be divided,
383
00:23:26,752 --> 00:23:29,894
with a strong
Western Germany
384
00:23:29,957 --> 00:23:32,803
supported by America
and the West
385
00:23:32,862 --> 00:23:36,368
and anyway being three quarters
of the total part of Germany
386
00:23:36,434 --> 00:23:38,712
which would become
an independent country.
387
00:23:38,772 --> 00:23:40,684
And he wanted
to stop that.
388
00:23:40,741 --> 00:23:42,688
BRANAGH:
In Berlin,
389
00:23:42,744 --> 00:23:44,851
the Western allies
and the Soviets returned
390
00:23:44,915 --> 00:23:47,329
to the negotiating table.
391
00:23:47,386 --> 00:23:49,424
The Russians demanded
the withdrawal
392
00:23:49,489 --> 00:23:52,995
of the Western Deutsch Mark
from the city.
393
00:23:53,062 --> 00:23:56,740
They also applied pressure
in the air corridors.
394
00:23:57,803 --> 00:24:00,046
There was
plenty of provocation.
395
00:24:00,107 --> 00:24:03,579
They used to carry out
aerial maneuvers
396
00:24:03,646 --> 00:24:06,960
in the corridor
or right alongside it.
397
00:24:07,019 --> 00:24:10,332
They'd be above you because we
had a maximum altitude
398
00:24:10,391 --> 00:24:15,503
and they'd go off
firing military equipment.
399
00:24:15,566 --> 00:24:20,018
Being buzzed
and all that sort of thing.
400
00:24:22,678 --> 00:24:24,488
We'd come up and have
a Yak come head on with you
401
00:24:24,547 --> 00:24:26,027
right nose to nose
402
00:24:26,083 --> 00:24:27,688
and at the last minute
would peel off.
403
00:24:27,753 --> 00:24:30,167
Or come up behind you
so you couldn't see him
404
00:24:30,224 --> 00:24:31,727
and then come up
over the wing.
405
00:24:31,793 --> 00:24:34,366
But they didn't shoot.
406
00:24:37,603 --> 00:24:41,075
BRANAGH: Bad weather caused
delays and accidents.
407
00:24:44,080 --> 00:24:46,790
The airlift was not delivering
enough food
408
00:24:46,851 --> 00:24:49,595
and virtually no coal had been
stockpiled
409
00:24:49,656 --> 00:24:52,901
for the harsh winter
to come.
410
00:24:57,219 --> 00:25:01,932
“ [woman singing in German] “
411
00:25:14,248 --> 00:25:19,132
“ [singing continues] “
412
00:25:23,061 --> 00:25:25,976
Berliners knew they were
living on the edge.
413
00:25:26,033 --> 00:25:30,314
Electricity came on
for only four hours a day.
414
00:25:30,374 --> 00:25:36,329
“ [singing continues] “
415
00:25:41,326 --> 00:25:44,001
[speaking German ]
416
00:25:44,063 --> 00:25:46,204
INTERPRETER:
We did the washing at night.
417
00:25:46,267 --> 00:25:48,214
Because I had
a small baby,
418
00:25:48,270 --> 00:25:52,187
I had to boil the nappies
and do the cooking.
419
00:25:54,580 --> 00:25:57,826
If we didn't
have an electric iron
420
00:25:57,887 --> 00:26:01,393
then we'd go to a neighbor
and do the ironing together.
421
00:26:01,459 --> 00:26:03,964
It's always the same
in bad times.
422
00:26:04,030 --> 00:26:07,502
People stick together
through thick and thin.
423
00:26:07,569 --> 00:26:11,611
BRANAGH: The Soviet blockade
didn't prevent West Berliners
424
00:26:11,676 --> 00:26:15,057
from moving about freely
within the city.
425
00:26:17,186 --> 00:26:20,260
The eastern sector
behind the Brandenburg Gate
426
00:26:20,324 --> 00:26:23,033
could be very enticing.
427
00:26:23,095 --> 00:26:25,202
[speaking German ]
428
00:26:25,265 --> 00:26:27,542
INTERPRETER: I often went
across into East Berlin.
429
00:26:27,602 --> 00:26:29,139
If you wanted
to go out,
430
00:26:29,206 --> 00:26:31,153
you had to go
into the eastern sector.
431
00:26:31,209 --> 00:26:33,212
There were dance halls,
there was music,
432
00:26:33,278 --> 00:26:34,952
there was electric
lighting.
433
00:26:35,014 --> 00:26:36,517
The rooms were heated
434
00:26:36,584 --> 00:26:39,567
and normal peacetime conditions
prevailed.
435
00:26:42,828 --> 00:26:46,835
'
436
00:26:53,044 --> 00:26:56,927
[cheers and applause]
437
00:26:59,489 --> 00:27:02,438
BRANAGH: The Russians offered
West Berliners the chance
438
00:27:02,494 --> 00:27:05,443
to buy food
in the Soviet sector.
439
00:27:05,499 --> 00:27:08,243
Nearly one in ten
accepted.
440
00:27:08,304 --> 00:27:11,412
The Soviets didn't impose
a complete blockade.
441
00:27:11,476 --> 00:27:13,650
But West Berliners
who went to East Berlin
442
00:27:13,712 --> 00:27:15,955
were harassed.
443
00:27:16,017 --> 00:27:18,191
[ Herrberger speaking German ]
444
00:27:18,253 --> 00:27:19,892
INTERPRETER:
We could get out by train
445
00:27:19,956 --> 00:27:22,370
but we were constantly checked
here, there, and everywhere
446
00:27:22,427 --> 00:27:25,205
by the Russians.
447
00:27:25,265 --> 00:27:27,177
They came into the station
448
00:27:27,235 --> 00:27:29,478
and either demanded
our identity papers,
449
00:27:29,539 --> 00:27:32,681
or searched our bags
and rucksacks.
450
00:27:32,744 --> 00:27:34,952
You had the feeling
that if a Russian
451
00:27:35,014 --> 00:27:36,757
didn't like the look
of a German
452
00:27:36,818 --> 00:27:39,527
he would take him away.
453
00:27:39,590 --> 00:27:43,369
BRANAGH: Tension among the
former wartime allies
454
00:27:43,429 --> 00:27:45,775
was increasing.
455
00:27:45,833 --> 00:27:49,647
The city was
splitting apart.
456
00:27:53,379 --> 00:27:55,553
On September 6,
457
00:27:55,616 --> 00:27:57,791
Communist-led activists
converged
458
00:27:57,853 --> 00:27:59,629
on a full meeting
of the city council
459
00:27:59,689 --> 00:28:00,531
in East Berlin.
460
00:28:02,561 --> 00:28:05,066
They were looking
for trouble.
461
00:28:05,132 --> 00:28:06,840
[speaking German ]
462
00:28:06,902 --> 00:28:09,179
INTERPRETER: Those were
not spontaneous outbursts
463
00:28:09,238 --> 00:28:10,684
from the people.
464
00:28:10,741 --> 00:28:13,314
They were,
on the contrary, demonstrations
465
00:28:13,379 --> 00:28:15,189
which Party members
and sympathizers
466
00:28:15,248 --> 00:28:17,321
had been ordered
to attend.
467
00:28:18,487 --> 00:28:22,961
Their aim was to break up
the old city council.
468
00:28:29,940 --> 00:28:32,286
[speaking German ]
469
00:28:32,344 --> 00:28:35,418
INTERPRETER: We wanted
to begin the session.
470
00:28:35,482 --> 00:28:38,090
But Speaker Suhr
couldn't get it started
471
00:28:38,154 --> 00:28:40,135
because communist gangs
had made it their business
472
00:28:40,190 --> 00:28:43,196
to be there.
473
00:28:47,202 --> 00:28:49,342
Word got around.
474
00:28:49,405 --> 00:28:51,352
We couldn't work there.
475
00:28:51,408 --> 00:28:53,356
Some people had already
been beaten up.
476
00:28:53,412 --> 00:28:55,916
So we had to leave.
477
00:28:55,983 --> 00:28:58,465
BRANAGH: Councillors driven
out of the City Hall
478
00:28:58,520 --> 00:29:01,128
met in the safety
of West Berlin.
479
00:29:01,192 --> 00:29:03,765
With them was Ernst Reuter,
480
00:29:03,830 --> 00:29:05,936
who now appealed
to all Berliners
481
00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:09,313
to gather
at the Reichstag to protest.
482
00:29:12,176 --> 00:29:14,988
RIAS -
Radio in the American sector -
483
00:29:15,048 --> 00:29:17,587
spread the news.
484
00:29:17,653 --> 00:29:21,068
Because of the lack
of electrical power,
485
00:29:21,125 --> 00:29:24,974
we had loud speaker wagons
going through the streets
486
00:29:25,032 --> 00:29:28,038
giving the news
several times a day.
487
00:29:28,103 --> 00:29:31,450
We had a fine actor
make a tape.
488
00:29:31,509 --> 00:29:33,616
"Berliner und Berlinerrin,
489
00:29:33,680 --> 00:29:35,490
ihr Stadt' /Isl' in gefahr!
490
00:29:35,549 --> 00:29:38,259
"Your city
is in danger!"
491
00:29:38,320 --> 00:29:39,891
The people came.
492
00:29:39,956 --> 00:29:42,962
Hundreds of thousands
of them came.
493
00:29:45,733 --> 00:29:48,044
[speaking German ]
494
00:29:48,103 --> 00:29:50,176
INTERPRETER:
This was a show of unity
495
00:29:50,240 --> 00:29:52,243
by the people
of Berlin.
496
00:29:52,310 --> 00:29:53,847
There was nothing else
in our heads
497
00:29:53,913 --> 00:29:56,225
but the thought --
"We stand united,
498
00:29:56,284 --> 00:29:58,788
we are against
the Russians,
499
00:29:58,854 --> 00:30:02,862
and we support
the western Allies."
500
00:30:02,928 --> 00:30:06,343
BRANAGH:
Nearly 300,000 Berliners,
501
00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:08,143
many from the East,
502
00:30:08,204 --> 00:30:10,446
assembled at the Reichstag.
503
00:30:10,507 --> 00:30:13,547
EDZARD REUTER: The view of
the Berlin politicians,
504
00:30:13,612 --> 00:30:18,588
there was a possibility that
western allies might be ready
505
00:30:18,654 --> 00:30:22,763
to come to a compromise
with the Russians
506
00:30:22,827 --> 00:30:26,277
which would be
a detrimental compromise
507
00:30:26,334 --> 00:30:29,408
for Germany.
508
00:30:29,472 --> 00:30:34,447
They rallied that meeting
to demonstrate
509
00:30:34,514 --> 00:30:37,463
that the population of Berlin
was decided
510
00:30:37,519 --> 00:30:41,868
to stand for their freedom
and for democracy.
511
00:31:25,632 --> 00:31:27,477
[ Applause ]
512
00:31:30,273 --> 00:31:31,776
BRANAGH:
When the rally was over,
513
00:31:31,842 --> 00:31:33,790
the Soviet flag
on the Brandenburg Gate
514
00:31:33,846 --> 00:31:37,159
was torn down.
515
00:31:40,824 --> 00:31:44,274
East sector police
and Soviet soldiers opened fire.
516
00:31:44,330 --> 00:31:46,368
Twelve people were injured.
517
00:31:46,433 --> 00:31:48,540
One young Berliner
was killed.
518
00:31:54,481 --> 00:31:57,019
And the day was
not yet over.
519
00:31:57,084 --> 00:32:00,033
A delegation went
to the Allied Control Council
520
00:32:00,089 --> 00:32:02,401
where they feared
a deal with Stalin
521
00:32:02,460 --> 00:32:04,965
to withdraw the Western D-Mark
from Berlin
522
00:32:05,032 --> 00:32:08,015
was being hatched.
523
00:32:08,070 --> 00:32:10,642
The Allies got
the message.
524
00:32:10,707 --> 00:32:15,181
The D-Mark stayed.
525
00:32:14,811 --> 00:32:17,419
NARRATOR: Rhein-Main field was
busier than ever this week
526
00:32:17,482 --> 00:32:19,485
as airlift traffic was
suddenly bolstered
527
00:32:19,552 --> 00:32:21,500
by fresh squadrons.
528
00:32:21,556 --> 00:32:24,698
Here, a group
of valiant young pilots
529
00:32:24,761 --> 00:32:27,744
talk over
the day's operations.
530
00:32:35,579 --> 00:32:40,622
BRANAGH: The blockade and
the airlift went on.
531
00:32:40,687 --> 00:32:42,293
We flew everything.
532
00:32:42,357 --> 00:32:44,531
I mean, medical supplies,
news print.
533
00:32:44,594 --> 00:32:46,404
But the coal was
the biggest thing
534
00:32:46,463 --> 00:32:48,171
and it was the biggest
problem, too.
535
00:32:48,233 --> 00:32:50,112
The coal dust would seep in
under the floors
536
00:32:50,170 --> 00:32:52,048
and control cables
537
00:32:52,106 --> 00:32:54,109
and make it difficult
to control the airplane
538
00:32:54,176 --> 00:32:56,021
so we flew
with our escape hatches out
539
00:32:56,080 --> 00:32:58,892
at the back
to suck out the dust.
540
00:33:01,655 --> 00:33:04,194
GROUND CONTROL: Big Easy
Six-Four, I have you in contact
541
00:33:04,260 --> 00:33:06,207
over the Tempelhof range.
542
00:33:06,264 --> 00:33:09,075
If you pick up a heading now
to get you over...
543
00:33:09,134 --> 00:33:11,082
Coming down
very nicely now.
544
00:33:11,138 --> 00:33:14,121
You're starting to go a little
bit above your glidepath.
545
00:33:14,176 --> 00:33:16,384
LEONHARD:
Every 45 seconds,
546
00:33:16,446 --> 00:33:18,689
airplanes
from the West came
547
00:33:18,751 --> 00:33:21,734
over Kleinmachnow
over the high party academy
548
00:33:21,789 --> 00:33:24,965
in order to land
in Tempelhof.
549
00:33:25,028 --> 00:33:26,804
GROUND CONTROL:
268 Degrees.
550
00:33:26,864 --> 00:33:28,846
You are now one and one half
miles from touchdown.
551
00:33:28,901 --> 00:33:30,540
You are approaching the trees
and the buildings.
552
00:33:30,604 --> 00:33:32,084
You are now on course
and on your glidepath.
553
00:33:32,140 --> 00:33:33,084
Very nice...
554
00:33:33,141 --> 00:33:34,747
We were sitting around.
555
00:33:34,811 --> 00:33:36,758
The teachers
of the history department
556
00:33:36,814 --> 00:33:38,761
and of others said,
557
00:33:38,817 --> 00:33:42,529
"The Americans understand
historical materialism
558
00:33:42,590 --> 00:33:44,867
better than we."
559
00:33:44,927 --> 00:33:46,772
And so we were looking --
560
00:33:46,831 --> 00:33:48,834
historical materialism
better than we?
561
00:33:48,901 --> 00:33:52,646
"Yeah, they understand
that you have to have
562
00:33:52,707 --> 00:33:55,553
a basis of food
and help
563
00:33:55,611 --> 00:34:00,154
before you can begin
party education.
564
00:34:00,220 --> 00:34:03,760
The Americans understand
historical materialism."
565
00:34:09,335 --> 00:34:13,513
BRANAGH: Airlift pilots could fly
up to three missions every day.
566
00:34:13,575 --> 00:34:17,321
An American pilot brought
his own 8-mm movie camera.
567
00:34:17,382 --> 00:34:18,862
HALVORSEN:
I went back to Berlin
568
00:34:18,917 --> 00:34:21,695
to get this picture
inside the barbed wire.
569
00:34:21,756 --> 00:34:23,759
Kids came up on their side
of the barbed wire
570
00:34:23,825 --> 00:34:26,137
and look at me
in uniform.
571
00:34:26,196 --> 00:34:27,767
They came up
and start talking to me.
572
00:34:27,832 --> 00:34:29,176
How many sacks of flour
you got?
573
00:34:29,235 --> 00:34:30,909
How's it going
to be tomorrow?"
574
00:34:30,971 --> 00:34:33,886
They got off the subject
of flour very quickly
575
00:34:33,942 --> 00:34:35,889
and on the subject
of freedom.
576
00:34:35,945 --> 00:34:37,790
They said, "Look,"
577
00:34:37,849 --> 00:34:40,296
they said, "Some day we'll have
enough to eat.
578
00:34:40,353 --> 00:34:42,027
Just give us
a little.
579
00:34:42,089 --> 00:34:44,469
Just don't give up on us
when the weather gets bad.
580
00:34:44,527 --> 00:34:47,066
We'll have enough
but if we lose our freedom,
581
00:34:47,131 --> 00:34:49,305
we may never
get it back."
582
00:34:49,368 --> 00:34:51,941
And these kids were
8 to 14 years old.
583
00:34:52,006 --> 00:34:53,816
They blew my mind
with their maturity
584
00:34:53,875 --> 00:34:56,153
and understanding
of what was important.
585
00:34:56,213 --> 00:34:57,750
BRANAGH:
Halvorsen promised the children
586
00:34:57,816 --> 00:35:00,424
that we would return
with chewing gum and chocolate
587
00:35:00,487 --> 00:35:03,436
dropped from
tiny parachutes.
588
00:35:03,492 --> 00:35:05,495
[speaking German ]
589
00:35:05,562 --> 00:35:08,306
INTERPRETER: It was amazing all
the things they brought over
590
00:35:08,366 --> 00:35:11,349
in their planes.
591
00:35:11,405 --> 00:35:16,323
I still remember
my youngest boy was there
592
00:35:16,379 --> 00:35:19,693
when American soldiers dropped
little parachutes
593
00:35:19,752 --> 00:35:25,137
with sweets,
chewing gum and chocolate.
594
00:35:32,306 --> 00:35:36,280
BRANAGH: Word of Halvorsen the
Candy Bomber spread quickly.
595
00:35:36,347 --> 00:35:38,919
He was summoned
to see his commanding officer.
596
00:35:38,984 --> 00:35:41,023
He really chewed me up.
597
00:35:41,088 --> 00:35:42,898
And then he reached
under the counter,
598
00:35:42,957 --> 00:35:44,403
pulled out a newspaper
and there on the front page
599
00:35:44,460 --> 00:35:46,407
was an airplane with parachutes
coming out of it.
600
00:35:46,463 --> 00:35:48,034
He said, "You almost hit
a German newspaperman
601
00:35:48,099 --> 00:35:49,374
on the head
with a candy bar
602
00:35:49,434 --> 00:35:50,937
in Berlin yesterday.
603
00:35:51,004 --> 00:35:52,781
He's got this story
all over the world."
604
00:35:52,841 --> 00:35:54,185
He said,
"The General read it
605
00:35:54,243 --> 00:35:57,088
and called me to find out
what was going on.
606
00:35:57,148 --> 00:35:59,288
I didn't know
anything about it!
607
00:35:59,351 --> 00:36:01,263
I'll never
get promoted!
608
00:36:01,321 --> 00:36:02,665
Why didn't you tell me?"
609
00:36:02,723 --> 00:36:04,101
I said, "I didn't think
you'd approve it, sir."
610
00:36:04,159 --> 00:36:05,400
He said, "You're right!
611
00:36:05,461 --> 00:36:06,907
But the General thinks
it's a good idea.
612
00:36:06,964 --> 00:36:08,410
Keep doing it!"
613
00:36:08,466 --> 00:36:09,741
BRANAGH:
For both East and West
614
00:36:09,802 --> 00:36:11,476
radio was an important weapon
615
00:36:11,538 --> 00:36:13,519
in the propaganda war.
616
00:36:16,279 --> 00:36:20,321
Radio in the American Sector-
RIAS --
617
00:36:20,386 --> 00:36:22,766
was run
by William Heimlich.
618
00:36:22,824 --> 00:36:25,966
HEIMLICH: I introduced American
broadcasting techniques
619
00:36:26,029 --> 00:36:29,444
on the theory that
if the audience isn't there,
620
00:36:29,501 --> 00:36:32,006
you can't convince them
of anything.
621
00:36:32,073 --> 00:36:34,715
So my number one priority
was get people to listen.
622
00:36:37,616 --> 00:36:39,597
How do you get
people to listen?
623
00:36:39,652 --> 00:36:42,567
You give them good
entertaining programs,
624
00:36:42,624 --> 00:36:46,939
solid news that
they could depend on.
625
00:36:46,998 --> 00:36:51,507
[ Radio announcer speaking German ]
626
00:36:56,513 --> 00:37:00,692
BRANAGH: A young Berlin dancer
called Christina Ohlsen
627
00:37:00,754 --> 00:37:03,066
became a popular
RIAS performer --
628
00:37:03,125 --> 00:37:06,131
and later Mrs. Heimlich.
629
00:37:06,196 --> 00:37:07,835
I read the headlines
630
00:37:07,899 --> 00:37:10,176
and then I would make fun
631
00:37:10,236 --> 00:37:14,745
of whatever the Russians
or East Germans did.
632
00:37:14,810 --> 00:37:17,224
Dar' verstehe ich nicht
633
00:37:17,281 --> 00:37:19,023
Da' verstehe
ich nicht
634
00:37:19,084 --> 00:37:21,794
dazu bin noch zu klein
635
00:37:21,855 --> 00:37:23,699
Doch die Grosser;
636
00:37:23,758 --> 00:37:25,295
doch die Grosser;
637
00:37:25,361 --> 00:37:28,344
Die mussen doch class
eigenlich verstehen
638
00:37:28,399 --> 00:37:31,280
Which means,
"I am too little
639
00:37:31,338 --> 00:37:33,911
to understand all
these happenings
640
00:37:33,975 --> 00:37:36,924
but the public
could certainly get it."
641
00:37:36,980 --> 00:37:39,986
And it became a very famous
slogan in Berlin
642
00:37:40,052 --> 00:37:43,160
and so I became
the Voice of Berlin.
643
00:37:58,216 --> 00:38:00,755
BRANAGH:
In December 1948,
644
00:38:00,820 --> 00:38:03,302
West Berliners voted
for a new council
645
00:38:03,358 --> 00:38:05,669
to run their half
of the city.
646
00:38:05,728 --> 00:38:07,732
The Socialist Unity Party,
647
00:38:07,799 --> 00:38:10,303
which dominated the old council
in the Soviet sector,
648
00:38:10,369 --> 00:38:13,045
boycotted
the elections.
649
00:38:13,107 --> 00:38:15,487
[speaking German ]
650
00:38:15,545 --> 00:38:19,324
INTERPRETER: For the moment,
we are a divided city.
651
00:38:19,384 --> 00:38:22,459
There is nothing
we can do about it.
652
00:38:22,524 --> 00:38:25,369
Our survival now
depends on developing
653
00:38:25,428 --> 00:38:29,846
extremely strong ties
with West Germany.
654
00:38:29,902 --> 00:38:32,316
BRANAGH:
Ernst Reuter was now mayor,
655
00:38:32,373 --> 00:38:35,015
with Luise Schroeder
as his deputy --
656
00:38:35,077 --> 00:38:38,026
but only
in one half of Berlin.
657
00:38:46,931 --> 00:38:49,539
For the American garrison
in Berlin
658
00:38:49,602 --> 00:38:51,378
and for General Clay,
659
00:38:51,438 --> 00:38:53,817
Christmas entertainment was
provided by Bob Hope
660
00:38:53,875 --> 00:38:55,982
and by the great
Tin Pan Alley composer,
661
00:38:56,046 --> 00:38:59,257
Irving Berlin.
662
00:38:59,318 --> 00:39:02,358
No, you got the name wrong.
It's Irving Jones!
663
00:39:02,423 --> 00:39:05,031
- Irving Jones?
- Yes, I changed it!
664
00:39:05,094 --> 00:39:07,041
Anything over here
named Berlin
665
00:39:07,097 --> 00:39:08,668
they out up
into sectors.
666
00:39:08,733 --> 00:39:11,875
[ laughter and applause]
667
00:39:13,007 --> 00:39:17,254
'
668
00:39:17,314 --> 00:39:19,523
"Not long ago"
669
00:39:19,585 --> 00:39:21,793
"a group
we call the Air Corps"
670
00:39:21,855 --> 00:39:25,806
"helped win the war
and took a bow"
671
00:39:25,862 --> 00:39:27,865
"Not long ago"
672
00:39:27,932 --> 00:39:30,005
"we cheered
the fighting Air Corps"
673
00:39:30,069 --> 00:39:34,384
"Let's see what's happened
to them now"
674
00:39:34,443 --> 00:39:36,355
"Operation Vittles"
675
00:39:36,413 --> 00:39:38,416
"we'll soon be
on our way"
676
00:39:38,483 --> 00:39:40,465
"with coal
and wheat and hay"
677
00:39:40,520 --> 00:39:42,558
"and everything's okay"
678
00:39:42,623 --> 00:39:44,501
"Operation Vittles"
679
00:39:44,560 --> 00:39:46,473
"as in the sky we go"
680
00:39:46,530 --> 00:39:48,477
"we won't forget to blow"
681
00:39:48,533 --> 00:39:49,979
"a kiss to Uncle Joe"
682
00:39:50,036 --> 00:39:51,277
BRANAGH:
Operation Vittles --
683
00:39:51,338 --> 00:39:52,977
the American code name
for the airlift --
684
00:39:53,041 --> 00:39:54,783
was working at last,
685
00:39:54,843 --> 00:39:57,849
thanks to an unusually
mild winter.
686
00:39:57,915 --> 00:40:00,523
On Easter Sunday 1949,
687
00:40:00,587 --> 00:40:05,130
a record 13,000 tons
was airlifted in 24 hours.
688
00:40:05,194 --> 00:40:07,403
The gamble had worked.
689
00:40:07,465 --> 00:40:12,110
Berlin could be supplied
indefinitely by air.
690
00:40:12,173 --> 00:40:14,711
[speaking Russian ]
691
00:40:14,776 --> 00:40:17,019
INTERPRETER:
We lived at Karlshorst
692
00:40:17,081 --> 00:40:18,857
and could hear
the noise of the airplanes
693
00:40:18,917 --> 00:40:20,363
which delivered everything
694
00:40:20,419 --> 00:40:23,732
including chocolate
and Christmas presents.
695
00:40:26,496 --> 00:40:28,637
We couldn't match it.
696
00:40:28,700 --> 00:40:33,277
We were poor
and the West was rich,
697
00:40:33,341 --> 00:40:35,288
and, of course,
this crazy blockade
698
00:40:35,344 --> 00:40:39,557
was bound to fail.
699
00:40:39,108 --> 00:40:43,651
"[woman singing ”Das Insulanerlied'”]"
700
00:40:43,715 --> 00:40:46,630
BRANAGH: The Soviets
had failed to drive
701
00:40:46,687 --> 00:40:49,966
the British, Americans,
and French out of Berlin.
702
00:40:50,025 --> 00:40:52,303
The Allied counter-blockade
was hurting
703
00:40:52,363 --> 00:40:54,207
the Soviet zone.
704
00:40:56,436 --> 00:40:59,385
On May 12, 1949,
705
00:40:59,441 --> 00:41:01,616
Stalin called it quits.
706
00:41:01,678 --> 00:41:03,784
NARRATOR: As midnight
nears, tension mounts
707
00:41:03,848 --> 00:41:05,921
at the British frontier
control post.
708
00:41:05,986 --> 00:41:07,260
Familiar with the old
Russian habit
709
00:41:07,321 --> 00:41:09,199
of changing their minds
when it suits them,
710
00:41:09,258 --> 00:41:11,569
seasoned campaigners could not
quite grasp
711
00:41:11,628 --> 00:41:14,076
this new mood
of co-operation.
712
00:41:17,070 --> 00:41:18,641
As on the stoke of 12:00
713
00:41:18,706 --> 00:41:20,152
the barrier goes up
714
00:41:20,209 --> 00:41:23,351
and a British jeep leads
the race into Berlin.
715
00:41:23,414 --> 00:41:27,729
"[singing continues]"
716
00:41:27,788 --> 00:41:31,101
BRANAGH: Many people thought the
ending of the Berlin blockade
717
00:41:31,160 --> 00:41:33,768
meant an end
to the Cold War.
718
00:41:33,831 --> 00:41:38,681
'
719
00:41:40,810 --> 00:41:43,121
[speaking German ]
720
00:41:43,180 --> 00:41:45,093
INTERPRETER: I returned
home after midnight,
721
00:41:45,151 --> 00:41:48,726
having taken the S-Bahn
from Ostkreuz to Neukolln.
722
00:41:48,790 --> 00:41:51,170
When we crossed the boundary
between the two sectors
723
00:41:51,228 --> 00:41:53,231
everything was
bathed in light.
724
00:41:53,297 --> 00:41:55,643
It was like
a dream!
725
00:41:55,702 --> 00:41:58,310
[speaking German ]
726
00:41:58,373 --> 00:42:01,481
Sheer joy,
nothing else.
727
00:42:01,545 --> 00:42:03,457
We had done it!
728
00:42:03,514 --> 00:42:06,963
It does work
with the West!
729
00:42:07,020 --> 00:42:09,161
That was so very
important.
730
00:42:09,224 --> 00:42:12,264
The West has won!
731
00:42:16,303 --> 00:42:19,343
BRANAGH: It was General
Clay's time to go back home.
732
00:42:24,049 --> 00:42:26,087
After a goodbye parade,
733
00:42:26,152 --> 00:42:28,566
he paid
a final visit to Berlin.
734
00:42:28,623 --> 00:42:31,104
So then he asked me
to go with him
735
00:42:31,160 --> 00:42:34,667
to the final farewell
ceremony at City Hall.
736
00:42:34,733 --> 00:42:37,044
And Adenauer and all
the top German officials
737
00:42:37,103 --> 00:42:39,142
had been flown in.
738
00:42:39,207 --> 00:42:42,383
There was a very impressive
farewell ceremony
739
00:42:42,446 --> 00:42:44,985
and, as so often,
740
00:42:45,051 --> 00:42:47,658
nobody had thought
of providing
741
00:42:47,722 --> 00:42:50,533
a separate microphone
for the interpreter.
742
00:42:50,592 --> 00:42:52,835
This happened to me
time and again.
743
00:42:52,897 --> 00:42:54,571
Which meant I had
to lean over
744
00:42:54,633 --> 00:42:56,842
practically cheek to cheek
to General Clay
745
00:42:56,904 --> 00:43:00,115
to speak
into the microphone.
746
00:43:00,176 --> 00:43:02,179
And in the strong light
747
00:43:02,245 --> 00:43:05,421
I could see that
there were tears in his eyes.
748
00:43:05,484 --> 00:43:07,432
I shall not use
the English word, "goodbye,"
749
00:43:10,159 --> 00:43:15,339
but rather try to say
to you, ”auf Wiedersehen!”
750
00:43:19,441 --> 00:43:21,945
BRANAGH: The day General Clay
said, ”auf Wiedersehen, ”
751
00:43:22,011 --> 00:43:24,289
the head of the future
West German Republic,
752
00:43:24,349 --> 00:43:29,233
Konrad Adenauer,
addressed Berliners.
753
00:43:41,945 --> 00:43:44,426
[cheers and applause]
754
00:43:44,482 --> 00:43:47,625
EDZARD REUTER: The Cold
War period in Berlin was
755
00:43:47,688 --> 00:43:50,671
really the core,
the root of post-war democracy
756
00:43:50,727 --> 00:43:52,401
in Germany.
757
00:43:52,463 --> 00:43:55,001
There was
a growing feeling
758
00:43:55,066 --> 00:43:57,947
that the Germans after all
759
00:43:58,005 --> 00:44:02,286
can be satisfied
to accept democracy
760
00:44:02,345 --> 00:44:05,693
as their own ways of living
761
00:44:05,752 --> 00:44:09,031
and to become
part of the western world.
762
00:44:09,090 --> 00:44:12,403
[speaking Russian ]
763
00:44:18,139 --> 00:44:20,985
INTERPRETER: The Berlin
crisis, on reflection,
764
00:44:21,044 --> 00:44:24,357
resulted
in a division of Europe.
765
00:44:26,552 --> 00:44:31,061
The government in West Germany
was created
766
00:44:31,127 --> 00:44:33,108
and two weeks later
on our side,
767
00:44:33,164 --> 00:44:37,741
the German Democratic Republic
was born.
768
00:44:37,805 --> 00:44:42,188
That division went
right across Germany.
769
00:44:42,246 --> 00:44:45,388
BRANAGH:
In April 1949,
770
00:44:45,451 --> 00:44:47,729
British Foreign Secretary
Bevin's dream
771
00:44:47,788 --> 00:44:50,326
of a strategic alliance
between Western Europe
772
00:44:50,392 --> 00:44:52,396
and North America
came true
773
00:44:52,463 --> 00:44:55,469
with the signing
of the North Atlantic Treaty.
774
00:44:55,535 --> 00:44:58,984
ROBERTS:
The overall success of the Berlin Airlift
775
00:44:59,040 --> 00:45:01,043
was first of all,
it persuaded
776
00:45:01,111 --> 00:45:04,458
a lot of very frightened people
throughout Europe
777
00:45:04,516 --> 00:45:07,124
that they had to come
into the Atlantic Alliance,
778
00:45:07,187 --> 00:45:09,794
which provided
the security
779
00:45:09,858 --> 00:45:12,101
or the general feeling
that we are safe,
780
00:45:12,162 --> 00:45:15,338
in spite of these very
much larger Russian forces
781
00:45:15,401 --> 00:45:18,407
which were next door.
782
00:45:21,578 --> 00:45:24,493
BRANAGH:
August 29, 1949
783
00:45:24,549 --> 00:45:27,896
the Soviets detonated
their first atomic bomb.
784
00:45:27,955 --> 00:45:31,735
The American nuclear monopoly
was over.
785
00:45:31,795 --> 00:45:34,903
The world was now
split down the middle
786
00:45:34,967 --> 00:45:37,575
by two competing
superpowers.
787
00:45:37,638 --> 00:45:40,849
At its heart
lay a divided Germany
788
00:45:40,910 --> 00:45:43,825
and a divided Berlin.
789
00:45:50,618 --> 00:45:55,823
Subtitles ripped and adapted by
Juan Claudio Epsteyn
790
00:45:56,018 --> 00:45:58,518
E-mail:
epsteyn@hotmail.com