Issued by Deutsche Bundespost Berlin in 1974, this 90-pfennig commemorative stamp honors the Berlin Airlift (Luftbrücke Berlin) of 1948–49. The minimalist design shows the Berlin Airlift Memorial at Tempelhof Airport, symbolizing the three air corridors used by the Allied forces. Below, the flags of the United States, United Kingdom, and France represent the nations that organized the airlift to sustain West Berlin during the Soviet blockade. The date “1948/49” recalls this pivotal humanitarian effort that kept the city supplied by air.

Historical Context:
Following World War II, Berlin was divided among the Allied powers. When the Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin, the Western Allies launched the massive airlift operation, delivering over two million tons of supplies to the isolated city — a defining early event of the Cold War.