Berlin Air Lift
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, the Germany Embassy is traveling the United States with a museum-like display depicting what life was like in post-World War II West Berlin.
The display will be at eight Consulate Generals and 32 honorary Consulates as well as various Air Force bases around the U S. Several representatives from the German Embassy were on hand to answer questions and to show their appreciation for what the Americans and the Allies did for the German people.
The cold war was just beginning. Relations with the Russians were frigid. In an effort to cut off West Berlin from the rest of the free world, Stalin blocked all ground access to the city. From June 1948 to May 1949 the Americans along with the French and British had to fly all-weather, non-stop around-the-clock missions in order to supply the city with literally all the necessities to maintain human existence.
Two flight corridors provided entrance access to two airports. All airlift aircraft exited by a third corridor. At the height of the airlift, planes were landing and taking off every three minutes! While many civilians suffered and died under the Cold War blockade from lack of heat, food and the bare necessities to sustain life, the city and its inhabitants were saved. Realizing that the blockade would not work, Stalin eventually relented and allowed access to West Berlin via normal transportation routes.
On the ramp at Andrews was The “Berlin Airlift” C-54 from Robert J. Miller Airpark, NJ along with about dozen crew members that flew this type aircraft during and after the war. The Germany Embassy had a large booth set up next to the plane as well. Also on hand was one of the C-54’s most famous pilots; the “Candy Bomber” Col. Gail Halverson.
It was a real treat to meet Col. Halverson and his crew. At 87 years young, Col. Halverson still flies the C-54 to air shows around the country. The Colonel was available for interviews and very accessible to the public. Halverson told me that during the last days of the war, German children would run after the American soldiers begging for gum and chocolate candy.
Those children that were not lucky enough to get some candy would smell the discarded wrappers from the other children. This moved the Colonel, and he realized the children inside West Berlin were probably experiencing the same desires. He wanted to do something for those kids. The Colonel came up with the idea of dropping candy by parachute when flying his airlift missions.
Halverson told me when he came to Europe after his training in Alabama he had a bad cold and had brought with him lots of extra handkerchiefs. They would serve as his initial parachutes. When they ran out, others donated more handkerchiefs. When those ran out, they cut up old bed sheets or anything else they could find. The rest is history.
It was really an honor to meet this man. He has a tremendous personality; the kind of fellow you can wrap your arms around and wish he was one of your own. His love and enthusiasm are infectious. It is quite understandable why his men loved and respected him so. The man is an awesome character; a Great American from our Greatest Generation.
By Dan Myers