Allied “Air Bridge” In Effective Use

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 June 1948, Page 5

Allied “Air Bridge” In Effective Use

Recd. 1 a.m- Berlin, June 28. Twenty-eight American Dakota transports, carrying 70 tons of food and other vital supplies for the western sectors, arrived at Temnlehof Airport this morning- They are the first of 100 transport aircraft due today from Frankfurt under the “Air Bridge” programme designed to counter Russian traffic restrictions. American Flying Fortresses will later begin an overflow shuttle service between Frankfurt and the British-controlled Gatow airfield.

Royal Air Force transport planes are being flown from England to join the service. One hundred to 120 aircraft could bring the maximum o£ only 300 tons of supplies daily for the western sectors, against 2000 tons which the Western Allies formerly railroaded. Ten German barges, each carrying about 100 tons of food, arrived in the western sectors of Berlin at the week-end from the British occupation zone. Another 15 food barges are reported to have passed British and Russian control points and are nearing Berlin. The American authorities could not indicate w’ny the Russians were permitting this traffic. If continued it could alone supply Berlin with as much food as it needs. Meanwhile, the American Army has begun rationing petrol, food, and other critical supplies. Press reports from Copenhagen stated that General Robertson, who was visiting Copenhagen today, would ask Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Rasmussen, io place the Berlin crisis before the United Nations. Scores were injured when Germans, hearing reports that the Russians were stopping currency exchange. rioted at Karlshorst. The police said onlv four or five were seriously injured. The riot occurred among a crowd waiting to enter the Russian central currency exchange office. The crowd smashed through the barriers and According to German police the Russians did not interfere when the riot began.