When the Russians finally closed off the allied sectors in the blockade, bombers took off from airfields to aid civilians. After a week of the Allied airlift, Russian generals decided to shoot down any incoming craft. The British and American sectors were poised to break into East Berlin to free the economy and build a democratic government. Harry Truman made a speech condemning Russian action and justified the invasion plan. "We can not let these repressed peoples starve to death." said Truman at an emergency meeting in London. Meanwhile, Stalin still cut off East Berlin's airspace and put troops on high alert. On the 31st of June 1948, Operation Black Bear commenced.