Clement Attlee arrives at Gatow airfield

On March 4, 1949, the aircraft of British Prime Minister Clement Attlee landed at the British airfield Berlin-Gatow. The purpose of Attlee's visit was not only to morally boost the personnel of the Royal Air Force, who had been working at their limits for months, but also to signal ongoing solidarity with the West Berlin population suffering under the blockade. The Prime Minister aimed to underscore with his presence the determination and commitment of the Western powers to secure the freedom and well-being of Berlin. During his several-day visit, he inspected the British troop contingents involved in the airlift, had the complex and minutely timed processes of loading and unloading operations at the airfield explained to him, and consulted with American and French allies.Attlee's visit to Berlin highlighted the continued commitment of Great Britain to the freedom of Berlin and strengthened the moral and political unity of the Western allies.

In his speech on March 7, 1949, Attlee summarized the successes achieved by the airlift so far. He emphasized the importance of the airlift not only as a technical and logistical feat but also as a striking symbol of the unity and will to resist of the Western allies against the Soviet blockade policy:

„The Anglo American airlift was one of the wonders of the world.”