The French had a solution to a similar problem with the Soviets in 1948 during the Berlin Airlift
"he French, because of a lack of transport planes, were unable to do much to support the airlift, but, in December 1948, they demonstrated they too could contribute. The new Tegel airport in Berlin, located in the French sector, was completed on Friday, November 5, almost two months ahead of schedule and test flights began immediately. Before the new airfield could become fully operational, however, something had to be done about a large 200 foot radio tower sticking up in the approach path. The tower was owned by the Soviet controlled Radio Berlin and numerous French requests to the Soviets to move it or dismantle it had been ignored.
Finally, in December when Tegel was to become fully operational and the tower still stood presenting an obvious danger to aircraft, the French attached explosives to its base and blew it down. The next day, Kotikov, the Soviet Berlin Commander, stormed into French General Jean Ganeval's headquarters protesting and threatening dire consequences for the French. Ganeval politely, but firmly, told Kotikov that the Soviets had had ample time to solve the problem, had ignored his requests, and, therefore, he had had no other alternative to insure planes and lives were not threatened.
This courageous action by the French commander won the support of his British and American colleagues and the admiration and praise of the Berliners. A few days later, the French further endeared themselves to the Berlin populace when General Pierre Koenig, the French military governor, made his private plane available to transport Christmas gifts for Berlin children. "
- from The Harry S. Truman Library Website
http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlesto ... AGE_13.HTM
_________________
Kevin Kearney
Vice President
Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation
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