Three years after the end of World War II, the citizens of Berlin were threatened with starvation. The Soviets had blocked all traffic into the divided city. No food, coal, or other supplies could reach the more than 2 million citizens. The Allies, led by the United States and Great Britain, came to their rescue. Cargo planes filled with supplies flew into the city around the clock. With expert planning and coordination, the Berlin Airlift saved the city and gave the Allies their first major victory of the Cold War.