The defeat of Nazi Germany saw it divided into four sectors held by United States, Britain, France and former Ally, Soviet Union. In mid-1948, after a control dispute, the Soviet Union blockaded the western powers, cutting off Berlin's road, rail and canal supply routes so Soviets could achieve complete dominance. This heralded a major humanitarian disaster for West Berlin's two million starving people. But Soviet Union hadn't reckoned with Allied determination to resist - without combat - by supplying the beleaguered city by air via the legendary 1948-49 Berlin Airlift. Hailed "the greatest bridge in the world", US and British air forces flew over Berlin more than 250,000 times, dropping ton after ton of fuel, food and other essentials. At the Airlift's height it was estimated that a plane reached West Berlin every thirty seconds. It was an operation in which Australia, as always, punched well above its weight. As part of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, the specially formed RAAF Berlin Airlift Transport Squadron took part in Operation Pelican (September 1948 to August 1949), flying 2,062 sorties and delivering some 8,000 tons of supplies and 6,964 passengers - across 6,041 flying hours. Operation Pelican began on 15 September 1948 when the unit's commanding officer, Squadron Leader Cyril Greenwood, airlifted 7,300 pounds of flour from Lubeck to Berlin. Ongoing aircraft modifications saw significant payload increases, further maximised by flights being made round the clock, despite the often hazardous weather conditions or threatening interference by Soviet aircraft. After fifteen months of relentless effort the Berlin Airlift officially ended on 30 September 1949, with the real Cold War yet to begin. The Bradford Mint takes great pride in bringing you this commemoration of our nation's significant contribution to helping build the post-war peace by bringing humanitarian relief to a vanquished foe. This splendid, finely rendered, black gold plated, 65mm silver coin shows anxious Berliners welcoming another Operation Pelican mercy flight as parachutes bearing food and other essentials drop towards them. Operation Pelican, often buried in the detail of post-war history, deserves to be remembered with true, unreserved Aussie pride. OPERATION PELICAN BERLIN AIRLIFT SILVER COMMEMORATIVE COIN Call one of our Senior Executives now on +612 9841 3324