Images Dated 23rd October 2004

Commandos Crossing the Rhine at Wesel; Second World War, 194

Sketch showing the night crossing of the River Rhine, made by British Royal Marine Commandos of the 21st Army Group, near Wesel in Germany, 23rd March 1945. This illustration shows the Commandos in their Buffalo amphibious transports leaving the West bank of the Rhine and heading towards the opposite shore. In the right background of the picture, can be seen the fires then burning in Wesel. This drawing was made by Captain Bryan de Grineau, Illustrated London News Special Artist, who was then attached to the 21st Army Group

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10219907

The Millionth Ton of Supplies reaches Berlin, 1949

Photograph showing Flight Lieutenant K.J. Ryall of the Royal Air Force handing a sack, representing the millionth short ton of supplies to be flown into Berlin during the airlift, to Dr. Klingelhofer, the economic member of the Western Berlin Magistrat, 18th February 1949. Between April 1948 and May 1949 Josef Stalin, leader of the USSR, imposed a land blockade on supplies from Western Europe to West Berlin. In response the British and American governments organised an enormous airlift to supply food and other essentials to the 2.5 million inhabitants of West Berlin. After a year Stalin conceded defeat and lifted the land blockade

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10219888

Exchanging Clothes at a Second-hand Depot, Berlin, 1948

Photograph showing several citizens of West Berlin bringing their old woollen garments to a second-hand clothing depot, Berlin, August 1948. The clothes were weighed then permits were issued for the purchase of new clothing to an equivalent weight. The Soviet blockade of West Berlin meant that shortages of all consumables were inevitable. Between April 1948 and May 1949 Josef Stalin, leader of the USSR, imposed a land blockade on supplies from Western Europe to West Berlin. In response the British and American governments organised an enormous airlift to supply food and other essentials to the 2.5 million inhabitants of West Berlin. After a year Stalin conceded defeat and lifted the blockade

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10219903