MARSHALL PLAN TRUMAN DOCTRINE

BERLIN AIRLIFT Alexander Salazar

4/2/2016

POST WWII

•  Aerial bombardment of various EU industrial cities to cripple EU allied military powers. •  Transportation and merchant systems throughout countries especially targeted.

•  Food shortage epidemic from July 1945 until June 1946 •  US provides 16.5 million tons(1/6 of US food supply or 35 trillion calories for 400

calories a day for a year to 300 million people) of food, mostly wheat, to EU and Japan

EUROPEAN RECOVERY PROGRAM

•  Secretary of State – George Marshall (1947-1949) •  Declared it necessary to restore EU

•  Both rebuilds our allies post WWII and serves to antagonize the USSR

•  Received overall US gov. support •  Became the creation of the State Dept.

•  Especially William Clayton and George Kennan

•  Later dubbed “Marshall Plan”.

GUIDELINES

•  $13 Billion ($130 Billion as of March 2016) to rebuilding destroyed areas of EU. •  Paid to 16 EU countries (Members of the Organization of European Economic Co-

operation). •  Turned down by USSR

•  Also blocked off opportunity for Eastern Bloc (Poland and East DE) •  Quantities based on 2 aspects

•  Percapita •  Most went to major powers

•  Help the big ones and they’ll fix those around •  Position during WWII

•  UK=26% •  FR=18% •  W DE=11%

•  Asia received a similar plan but was not called the “Marshall Plan”.

INTENTIONS

•  The US accomplished several goals at once with the implementation of the Plan:

1.  Rebuilt devastated areas of participating countries. 2.  Removed a series of trade barriers by…

1.  Lessening interstate barriers 2.  Dropping various regulations 3.  Increasing productivity 4.  Increasing memberships in labor unions 5.  And modernizing business procedures.

3.  Modernized the EU industries and methods 4.  And helped to prevent communisms spread.

ECONOMIC EFFECTS

•  1952-Funding halts •  EU has exceeded economic prewar conditions.

•  The lowest output of 1951 was 35% higher than prior. •  The Joint Chief of Staff Directive 1607 (Don’t help the DE economy) is replaced

by JCS 1779 (Help the DE economy) •  DE coal mining was vital to all of the EU economic state as well as other DE raw

materials and manufacturing. •  Returned FDR’s Good Neighbor Policy.

•  $14 Billion not included in Marshall Plan also spent by US towards EU resuscitation by end of 1947

•  US also pays most of the UN humanitarian efforts.

POLITICAL EFFECTS

•  Though rejections was expected, the US offered the Marshall Plan to the USSR for the sake of civility and maintenance of trust. •  Washington Soviet ambassador considered anti-Soviet bloc

creation. •  Stalin initially agreed to plan and encouraged other countries to

not reject economic conditions set upon them. •  Opposed plan when:

•  Credit would only be made available if countries agreed upon economic cooperation

•  Aid was also supplied to DE, making soviet influence upon Western DE more difficult.

•  Intended to prevent plan during Paris Talks through negative participation during establishment of conditions. •  Czchoslavic and Polis want to accept aid •  Fears others in East Bloc may do so as well and control will be lost.

•  This would lead to each economy being independently assessed •  Also required participation in unified EU economy, terms which

are incompatible with command style Soviet economy.

MARSHALL’S SPEECH

“The modern system of the division of labor upon which the exchange of products is based is in danger of breaking down. ... Aside from the demoralizing effect on the world at large and the possibilities of disturbances arising as a result of the desperation of the people concerned, the consequences to the economy of the United States should be apparent to all. It is logical that the United States should do whatever it is able to do to assist in the return of normal economic health to the world, without which there can be no political stability and no assured peace. Our policy is not directed against any country, but against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos. Any government that is willing to assist in recovery will find full co-operation on the part of the USA. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist.”

ORGIN

•  Who: George Marshall, US Secretary of State from 1947 – 1949

•  What: A speech explaining the US standpoint on the world economy

•  When: June 5, 1947 at noon.

•  Where: Harvard University receiving an honorary degree

PURPOSE

•  Rationalized the US’s involvement in a chaotic EU economy. •  “... Aside from the demoralizing effect on the world at large and the possibilities

of disturbances arising as a result of the desperation of the people concerned, the consequences to the economy of the United States should be apparent to all. It is logical that the United States should do whatever it is able to do to assist in the return of normal economic health to the world, without which there can be no political stability and no assured peace.”

•  Sought further recruitment of participating countries into Plan •  “Any government that is willing to assist in recovery will find full co-operation on

the part of the USA.”

•  Partially antagonized Soviets •  “Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to

permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist.”

VALUE

•  Demonstrates the desire of US to avoid obvious targeting and provocation of Soviets during the containment status policies •  “Our policy is not directed against any country, but against hunger, poverty,

desperation and chaos… . Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world”

LIMITATIONS

•  It’s the singular view of the influential creator of the Plan.

•  Fails to possibly consider other reasons for countries joining the Plan. •  “The consequences to the economy of the United States should be apparent to

all. It is logical that the United States should do whatever it is able to do to assist in the return of normal economic health to the world,”

TRUMAN DOCTRINE •  Announced to congress by Truman March 12, 1947 and again on July 12,

1948. Often seen by historians as start of CW. •  1948 – extension which included international CW policy.

•  USSR relations go from détente (relaxation of tensions) to containment. •  1946 – George Kennan (US diplomat in Moscow) transmits “Long Telegram”

•  Predicts soviets will only respond to strong force •  Requires long term containment policy •  Seen as basis of Truman Doctrine •  Received republican support despite some claiming isolationist actions best.

COMMUNISMS PUSHES BOUNDARIES •  As UK nears bankruptcy, US is called upon to support Greece in Feb 1947.

•  Pledged to contain Greek and Turkish Soviet threats. •  Because of historic rivalries, both were helped equally, though Greece

was in the most imminent danger. •  $400 million sent •  “Set a precedent of the American assistance to anticommunist regimes

throughout the world, no matter how undemocratic, and for the creation of a set of global military alliances directed against the Soviet Union.” – Eric Fonet, US Historian and Columbia U Faculty

•  Truman foresaw a possible Soviet pincer movement on oil-rich areas of Middle East and warm water Mediterranean ports

CONTAINMENT •  Containment: military strategy to stop expansion of opposition

•  Best known for role in CW as Soviet’s sought east EU, China, Korea, Africa, and Vietnam. •  Considered to be the middle ground for détente and rollback (forcing change in major

policies of states, often replacing ruling regimes [currently in use in Afghanistan]). Allows opposition to choose place and time of confrontations.

•  Rather than intervene, US funds Greek/Turk economies to support own militaries. •  Became the foundation concept of US Foreign policy •  Compared Communism to disease and natural disaster.

•  Utilized the “quarantine the aggressor” policy FDR sought to use on DE and Japan in 1937. •  Led to NATO in 1949

•  An global military alliance. •  Greece and Turkey joined 1952

BERLIN BLOCKADE AND AIRLIFT LEAD UP

•  First major crisis of CW (24 June 1948 – 12 May 1949) •  April Crisis and “Little Lift”

•  24 March 1948 – Soviets halt west military and passenger traffic between trizones and Berlin •  April 1 – no cargo to leave Berlin rail w/out Soviet permission. All trains/trucks searched. •  April 2 – Gen Clay: halts all military trains. Any supplies for military garrison to be transported

by air in what became “Little Lift” •  Soviets block west allies railways, roads, and canals to west Berlin.

•  18 June 1948 – Deutche Mark announced as new currency of DE. •  1 DM = 1 RM for wages and payments of rent, etc. but 1:10 for private non-bank balances, half of

which were frozen. •  June 19 – Soviets take over passenger trains and traffic on autobahn to Berlin, delay west

and DE freight and require all water ways secure soviet permission. •  June 21 – DM introduced, soviets stop US military supply train to Berlin. •  June 22 – Soviet introduces the West German Mark, soviet representative tells FR US and UK

that economic sanctions will take place to maintain exclusive soviet currency in zone. •  Followed by mass propaganda (radio, newspaper, loudspeakers) condemning trinity.

BERLIN BLOCKADE AND AIRLIFT LEAD UP

•  June 24 – Soviets sever land and water connections •  US and EU outnumbered from retirements after WWII. No Silverplates atomic capable. Only 2 US regiments in

Berlin. •  Response: USAFE, RAF, RCAF, RAAF, RNZAF, and SAAF deploy air supplies to west Berlin w/ 200,000 flight in

one year. •  8893 tons of supplies a day (fuel, food, etc.) •  Soviets allow in fear that disruption=war •  Was successful and by April 1949 brought more supplies than had been by rail.

•  Lift begins 12 May 1949 •  Causes:

•  Major powers take pieces of DE •  Allies take west, USSR takes east •  West known as Bi then Trizone w/ FR.

•  W/ extension of Marshall Plan and agreed plan of establishment of fed gov system for DE, USSR wants to force west policies inline with soviet plans through regulated access to Berlin. •  There were no rules say it could happen on ground

IMPOSSIBLE EXPECTATIONS

•  Air regulations created in 1945 state that there were 20 mi wide air corridors for free access to Berlin that could not be interfered with. •  Cargo craft could not be claimed to be military threats. •  Only soviet choices are to shoot down the humanitarian craft and break their own agreement

or backdown. •  Lots of USSR ‘buzzing’, parachute jumps in corridor, and spotlighting at night.

•  Calculated, for 2 mil population to have 1990 minimal calories, 1534 tons of food and supplies a day were necessary. •  Included over its duration 646 tons flour and wheat, 125 tons cereal, 64 tons of fat, 109 tons meat and

fish, 5 tons whole milk, 3 tons fresh yeast, 180 tons dehydrated potatoes, 180 tons sugar, 11 tons coffee, 19 tons powder milk, 144 tons dehydrated vegies, 38 tons salt, 10 tons cheese. And 3475 tons coal and gasoline daily.

•  Only 96 aircraft available to two groups, each of which could carry 3.5 tons. With 100 daily round trips, 300 tons a day could be done. Plus 400 other tons from RAF. •  RAF brings more and bigger planes for about 750 tons from RAF. •  US brings in 450 massive C-54s and some C-47s

IMPROVEMENT FROM EXPERIENCE

•  July 1 lift begins •  First week, only 90 tons a day. 2nd = 1000 tons

•  Process •  Complex timetable known as the “block system”

•  3 8 hour shifts of C-54 section to Berlin followed by C-47 section. •  Aircraft launch every 4 minutes •  Next follows 1000 ft AGL above predecessor.

•  Began at 5000 ft AGL and repeated 5 times. •  Known as “the ladder” •  Scrapped after “Black Friday” for incoming aircraft

•  Maj. Gen. “Tonnage” Tunner •  Commander of Military Air Transport Services (MATS)

•  Doubled the tonnage of air lifts in China during WWII •  After realization by US Nat Sec Council of inexperience by USAFE for airlifts, Tunner is sent in.

IMPROVEMENT FROM EXPERIENCE

•  Arrived July 28 •  Ordered 2/3 of worldwide C-54’s to DE. •  “Black Friday”

•  Left to go give award to pilot for most flights to Berlin. •  Cloud cover at building levels.

•  Radar=poor •  C-54 crashed at end of runway

•  2nd pops tires to avoid it •  3rd ground loops on runway under construction. •  All craft arriving every 3 min are stacked from 3 to 12,000 ft.=risky for collisions. •  Take offs denied, causing backup on ground. •  Tunner commands all craft RTB. •  Calls it the “date that the success of the airlift stemmed.”

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

•  Commands all now fly IFR always. •  Only one chance to land or RTB, no incoming stacking.

•  Lead to 30 air craft landed in time taken to land 9, increasing 300 tons.

•  Accidents/delays drop. •  Realized 10 ton C-54’s load as fast as 3.5 ton C-47’s

•  C-54’s could be truck loaded. •  All C-47’s replaced with C-54’s or larger

•  Jeep snack bars in Berlin to decrease turn around time to 30 min. •  Outgoing ladders

•  Every 3 min •  500 ft separation starting at 4000 ft to 6000 ft

•  Block shortened to 6 hours •  Made room for extra shift •  1440 daily Berlin landings.

•  Made a singular ATC point for all traffic into Berlin. •  Berliners made up for lacking manpower

•  Made airfield repairs and unloaded. •  Given extra rations. •  Unloaded at unbelievable speeds

•  1st record for 10 tons of coal in 10 minutes •  2nd with 12 man crew for 10 tons of coal in only 5 min 45 sec.

•  By August, 1500 flights a day and 4500+ tons. January reach 5000 tons daily.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFHESw7rK4I

OPERATION LITTLE VITTLES

•  Gail Halvorsen •  Pilot •  Uses off time to fly to Berlin with handheld cam and make movies. •  17 July flies in on C-54 and greeted by crowd of children.

•  Gave them his only 2 pieces of gum •  Promised if they did not fight over them, he would return with more. •  Said he would wiggle his wings while flying over to ID.

•  Returned next day and wiggled •  Dropped candybars on handmade handkerchief parachutes.

•  Everyday the crowd grew. •  Continued to make more drops.

•  Began receiving mass mail from kids at base as “Uncle Wiggly Wings”, “The Chocolate Uncle”, and “The Chocolate Flier”. •  CO not happy; Tunner is.

•  Tunner formalizes “Operation Little Vittles” •  Other pilots join. Planes called raisin bombers by DE kids. •  US children begin sending candy. •  23 tons of candy dropped. •  MAJOR propaganda success.

WINTER IS COMING…

•  No longer a multi week but now multi month operation •  Winter weather also creates new issues

•  Additional 1000 tons of coal and fuel needed daily •  Airlift required expansion.

•  UK brings in more and larger aircraft, but maintenance was impossible. •  Tunner hires German ex-Luftwaffe crews.

•  Berlin lacks runways •  Those already existing are too weak for C-54 loads •  Took hundreds of people between landings to pour sand into Marston Mat. •  July-Sept. 6000 ft asphalt runway constructed.

•  French Air Force •  Dragged into First Indochina War •  Only supplied Ju 52s to own troops.

WINTER IS COMING…

•  FR builds complete new and larger airport in DE sector •  FR military engineers manage DE construction crews.

•  Built primarily by hand •  Crews = thousands of females working day and night.

•  Completed in 90 days. •  Heavy equipment necessary for land alteration.

•  To large/heavy for any cargo craft. •  Must be broken down and reassembled on site. •  C-82s used •  Proved that nothing could be kept out of Berlin.

•  Weather •  Nov-Dec longest lasting fog ever over all of EU for weeks. •  Most aircraft unsuccessfully arrive at airports to be sent back.

•  20 Nov – 42 planes takeoff, but only one lands in Berlin. •  Berlin only had a week’s worth of fuel left. •  171,000 tons delivered in Jan, 152,000 in Feb, and 196,223 in March.

BEYOND THE QUOTA

•  April 1949 – Tunner seeks competition among units. •  Wanted to break all records on Easter

•  Only coal transported. •  Schedules for maintenance made to max aircraft available for operation.

•  Noon April 15-16 crews work nonstop. •  12,941 tons in 1,383 flights w/out incidents •  Resulted in following daily operations increasing to 8,893 tons from 6,729 tons daily. •  April totaled 234,476 tons of supplies.

RTB AND AAR

•  Blockade concluded on 12 May 1949 •  24 July – 3 months of supplies accumulated in case of another lift. •  Flights continue until the lifts halt on Sept 30.

•  US supplies 1,783,573 tons and RAF 541,937 tons for overall 2,326,406 tons •  2/3’s were coal

•  Conducted 278,228 flights to Berlin •  RAAF provides 7,968 tons and 6,964 passengers over 2,062 sorties. •  C-47’s and C-54’s fly over 92 million miles (nearly 1 AU or distance to sun) •  Landings were occurring in 30 sec increments. •  101 deaths

•  40 Brits •  31 US •  Mostly non-flying mishaps. •  17 US/8 UK crashes.

•  Cost split between US, UK and DE •  Totaled between $224 mil an $500 mil (now $2.23 Bil or $4.97 Bil)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Spirit of Freedom. Web. 3 April 2016. http://spiritoffreedom.org/airlift.html

Berlin Airlift. A&E Television Networks, 2016. Web. 3 April 2016. http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/berlin-airlift/videos/harry-s-Truman

Truman Doctrine. New World Encyclopedia, 2014. Web. 3 April 2016. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Truman_Doctrine

Truman Doctrine. United States History. Web. 3 April 2016. http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1780.html

Marshall Plan. A&E Television Networks, 2016. Web. 3 April 2016 http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/marshall-plan

The Marshall Plan Speech. The George Marshall Foundation, 2016. Web. 3 April 2016. http://marshallfoundation.org/marshall/the-marshall-plan/marshall-plan-speech/