When Winter Comes

Back of the Kremlin talks was a question: How well would the airlift supply Berlin during the winter months?

The Anglo-U.S. strategists have planned their winter airlift on the basis of a 4,000-ton daily average. On a minimum basis, 1,400 tons of food and 2,000 tons of coal will sustain West Berlin. The coal will heat hospitals, prisons, courts, schools, and welfare establishments. If the 4,000-ton average is maintained, the extra 600 tons will consist of medical and welfare supplies, newsprint, and extra coal (for a few essential industries and emergency heat in private dwellings). Berliners will be colder than last winter and possibly colder than the winter before.

Several plans were under way to increase cargo volume: 1) an eventual total of 250 C-54s (capacity ten tons) on the U.S. run: 2) transfer of the U.S. loading point from Frankfurt to Fassberg, in the British zone, shortening the distance to Berlin; 3) more landing space in Berlin.

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