President Harry Truman ordered US forces to stay in Berlin,
which became a symbol of America's fight against spreading
communism. Secretary of Defense James Forrestal recalled
Truman?'s bluntly stating, "?We [are] going to stay, period."
Without food, supplies, and power, the Western powers had
only an estimated 36 days of food and 45 days of coal in stock
to supply 2.3 million civilians and military personnel. The
city needed 3,800 tons of supplies daily in summer and 4,500
tons in winter; the winter requirement was later raised to
5,600 tons. Without surface transportation, the only possible
solution was an immediate airlift. Clay was unconvinced that
the USAF could conduct such an operation. He wanted to
send a relief column supported with armored vehicles through
the Soviet zone of occupation to re-supply Berlin. Truman disagreed
with Clay and ordered an airlift . The USAF and RAF
began an effort to airlift food, supplies, and coal into Berlin.
These actions became known as Operation Vittles or the Berlin
Airlift.