After World War II, the Allies partitioned the defeated Germany into four zones, controlled by the Soviet Union, the U.S., Britain and France. The capital of Berlin was located deep in the Soviet zone but was also divided into four zones. In June 1948, the Soviets closed all highways, railroads and canals from western-occupied Germany into Berlin, hoping to force Britain, France, and the U.S. out of city. Instead of retreating, however, the U.S. and its allies decided to supply the city by air,