FReeper Canteen ~ Berlin Airlift Part 1: The Beginning ~ December 02, 2013

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

The Berlin Airlift
Part 1:  The Beginning
All info and photos from this website.

           

For the next four weeks, on Mondays, the Hall of the Heroes threads will be about the Berlin Airlift and it's heroes.  I hope the story inspires you like it does me!  Thank you to ConorMacNessa for the thread topic tip!

The Berlin Airlift

PRELUDE TO CONFLICT
At the end of WWII, a defeated Germany was divided amongst the victors, the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, and France. The Soviet Union took control of the Eastern half of Germany, the Western half was divided amongst the US, Great Britain, and France. Like the rest of the country, the capital city of Berlin, sitting dead in the middle of the Soviet-controlled Eastern half, was also divided into four parts, one half being Soviet controlled, and the rest divided amongst the others. A four-power provisional government, called the Allied Control Council, was installed in Berlin.  This union of governments was to control and rebuild the city of Berlin.

 

By 1948, it became apparent that the Western Powers (Great Britain, France, and US) plan to rebuild Germany differed from the Soviet Union's plan. Currency, German Unification, Soviet War reparations, and mere ideology were among the many differences the two sides had. There would be no compromise. As a result, Stalin wanted them out of Berlin.  In early 1948, tensions between the once former Allies climaxed.  On April 9, 1948, Stalin ordered all American Military personnel maintaining communications equipment out of the Eastern Zone (Soviet controlled Berlin).  Trains were halted on June 1and June10.  On June 21, the Soviets halted a US Military Supply Train and refused it passage to Berlin.  On the 22nd, they placed armed guards aboard, attached a Soviet engine and hauled it back to Western Germany.  In a final move to spurn the Americans, British, and French out, on June 24, 1948, all land and water access to West Berlin was cut off by the Soviets.  There were to be no more supplies from the West.  What was going to happen?  Where were the necessary supplies going to come from for the Occupation Forces?  For that matter, where were the supplies for the 2,008,943 Berliners going to come from?  It was a grave situation.

General Lucius Clay                          Sir Brian Robertson                             General Curt LeMay                       Brig. General Joseph Smith

The Allies were certainly not going to stand for this. Diplomacy failed, Ground invasions were planned, and World War 3 was on the brink of existence.  US Military Commander Lucius Clay had developed a plan by which an armed convoy through Soviet Controlled Germany would break the blockade.  This action would certainly create a war.

A Douglas C-47, the military version of the DC-3.  It is capable of hauling 3.5 tons of cargo.

 

MEAGER BEGINNINGS 
 

However, British Commander Sir Brian Robertson offered an alternative: supply the city by air.  A daunting task.  Supplying the Occupation forces of 2,2679 was easy, but the entire population?  The only aircraft the Americans had available for the task were 5 year old Douglas C-47 Skytrains, which would only hold 3.5 tons each.  After some consultation, the decision was made: it was worth a try.  Earlier in April, US Forces airlifted in supplies to replace the ones being delayed by the Soviets.  This was what became known as the "Little Lift".  West Berlin had two airports, Tempelhof, which was Berlin's main airport and located in the American Sector, and Gatow, in the British Sector.  Supplies could be airlifted in by C-47 and there was nothing the Soviet Union could do about because, in 1945, someone had foresight.  On November 30, 1945, it was agreed, in writing, that there would be three 20-mile wide air corridors providing access to the city. These were unarguable. 

When the blockade began, the Soviets rejoiced, because they believed the Western powers had only one option, to leave Berlin.  But they underestimated the West airlift supplies.  Gen. Clay called upon General Curtis E. LeMay, commander of USAFE and asked him if he could haul supplies to Berlin.  LeMay responded, "We can haul anything".  Two days later Gen. LeMay called upon Brig. Gen. Joseph Smith, Commander of the Wiesbaden Military Post, and appointed him Task Force Commander of an airlift operation estimated to last a few weeks.  The only US aircraft initially available were 102 C-47's and 2 C-54 Skymasters.  On June 26, the first C-47's landed at Tempelhof Airfield, foreshadowing the great operation that was to come.  Smith dubbed the mission "Operation Vittles", because he said "We're haulin' grub."  The British called their part "Operation Plane Fare". 

It was determined that the city's daily food ration would be 646 tons of flour and wheat; 125 tons of cereal; 64 tons of fat; 109 tons of meat and fish; 180 tons of dehydrated potatoes; 180 tons of sugar; 11 tons of coffee; 19 tons of powdered milk; 5 tons of whole milk for children; 3 tons of fresh yeast for baking; 144 tons of dehydrated vegetables; 38 tons of salt; and 10 tons of cheese.  In total, 1,534 tons were needed daily to keep the over 2 million people alive.  That's not including other necessities, like coal and fuel.  In fact, the largest quantity of anything required was coal.  It wasn't needed to heat homes as much as it was necessary for industry.  In addition, there was limited electricity, because the city's power plant was located in the Soviet sector, so that was cut off, too.  It was determined that in total supplies, 3,475 tons would be needed daily.  A C-47 can haul 3.5 tons.  In order to supply the people of Berliners, C-47's would have to make 1000 flights each day.  Impossible. 

Initially, Gen. Clay determined that, with the limited number of airplanes available to him, he could haul about 300 tons of supplies a day, the British effort, was estimated to be capable of 750 tons a day.  This leaves a 2,425-ton deficit daily.  Realizing that this kind of tonnage could not be achieved using C-47's, Gen. Clay and Gen. LeMay made requests for more C-54's, for they could carry over three times more cargo than C-47's.  On June 27, an additional 52 Skymasters were ordered to Berlin.
 

A Douglas C-54 Skymaster.  It was capable of hauling 10 tons, almost
3 times as much cargo as its predecessor, the C-47.

 This particular C-54 called "Spirit of Freedom" ^TM, is currently operated
by the Foundation as a flying museum about the Airlift.

 

On June 28, President Truman made a statement that abandoning Berlin was out of the question.  He then ordered US B-29 Superfortresses to be stationed at British airfields to show the Soviets that the Western powers were not taking this lightly.  We would not abandon these people!

By July 1, C-54's were slowly taking over airlift flights, and they were operating 24 hours a day.  Rhein-Main Air Base in Frankfort was made exclusive C-54 base, and Wiesbaden was a mix of C-54's and C-47's.  To accommodate these two different aircraft, General smith established a block system, giving the bigger, faster C-54's priority.  They were also given radio codes to identify each type and the direction it was going.  C-47's going East to Berlin were called "Easy", returning C-47's traveling West, were called "Willie".  C-54's had the names 'Big Easy' and "Big Willie".  Aircraft were also given a spacing of three minutes apart. 

The size of the operation had to be increased in order to sufficiently supply this city and keep these people going.  It needed to be commanded by someone who had expertise in air transport.  That man came in the form of Maj. General William H. Tunner.  He was revered as "The transportation expert to end all transportation experts" by LeMay.  Tunner had previously established the Ferrying Command in WWII, and successfully organized and commanded the "Hump" operation into China near the end of the war.  His reputation was not falsely earned.  Tunner hated to see airplanes parked on the ramp not being utilized. This was a waste to him.  He longed for efficiency and was about to set the standard for all that followed.

....Continued next week.....
 

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

[Kathy in Alaska]

That which does not kill us only makes us stronger.

That it will. He will lead you.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I know....and I liked it. d:o)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mac, for the Missing Man Setting as we remember those who have given their all that we may gather safe and secure.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

[luvie]

Gooood evening, Night Owls!
Hope you all had a great holiday weekend!
Great thread, Star!
Can't have enough heroes nowadays!
Everyone have a good week..
..and don't work TOO hard!
((((hugs))))

[rktman]

Your welcome. He and my aunt were both career Army Air Corps/Air Force. My dad was career Navy, I served in the Navy, youngest daughter served in the Navy and oldest grand-daughter is an Iraqi veteran and is still in the Florida National Guard and my niece was career Army. Proud service in our family.

[El Gato]

Thanks so much for posting on this topic. While this is a story us AF ROTC, and I suspect USFA, grads know very well, it’s still nice to see those guys get recognition in a more public forum. They did yeoman duty, above and beyond the call.

[onthegulf]

My husband was in the Berlin Airlift.

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!


TATTOO
(Click)

Must retire for the evening -

For Every Morn' Brings Forth A Noble Chance,
And Every Chance Demands A Noble Knight!

The Bugler, his grim visage replete with an evil sneer,
already mounts the parapet.

Soldiers of the Greatest Generation
Stand The Watch Tonight!



Standing With Them
Old Iron Pants!



Gen. Curtis E. LeMay, USAF

TAPS
U.S. Marine Band
(Click)

"Do poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes!"

(King Lear, Act III, Scene iv)



All Gave Some – Some Gave All!!!
(Click)

Good night, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America!

Godspeed our Troops around the Globe – especially those in harm’s way – by virtue of their service and sacrifice we continue to live in Freedom!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

"Riamh nár dhruid ó sbairn lann!"

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[El Gato]

On the Thursday before Veteran's Day, I attended a musical salute to Veterans at my 3rd grade granddaughter's school. They sang some difficult numbers and did very well. But then they asked all the veterans to stand. Since I am a Veteran, I stood. The smile on my granddaughter's face made my entire year.

Then on Veteran's day I attended a similar fete at the kindergarten age twin granddaughters' school. Third graders sang, but the K's did a nice choreographic routine with two little American flags each, the most memorable being "Grand Old Flag" and "Proud to be an American, where the twins faces during the "I won't forget the men who died" part were absolutely believable as they went down on one knee and hung their heads slightly, even though i know they were acting, since I'd seen them practice at home.

Before the program I was honored and humbled to meet and salute a WW-II Army Air Corps veteran. He was sharp as a tack, and moving under his own steam, albeit with the aid of a walker or a cane. He told me what kind of unit I was in, Troop transport and glider towing and what his role was.. unit armorer, and secondarily base defense. He told me the NCOs had M1 Carbines and the officer 1911's. I was able to say I have a copy of a 1911, and a real M1 Carbine. Then he told me they had Water Cooled M2 .50 caliber machine guns, dug in around the airfields for base defense. I was able to tell him that the M2 is still in use on tanks, AFVs, and other vehicles, soft and armored. He seemed impressed with that.

But although I didn't doubt him, I had never heard of a water cooled M2 so I googled it. and of course he was right. in fact I found this picture.

Yep, a water cooled .50 dug into a pit just as he described. But this one was in Italy, and I think he was in England and France.

The twins did a repeat performance the next evening. There I met a bunch of vets more or less my age, save one Army guy who was much younger. One my age was a draftee. One of the two Navy guys was on the Enterprise, and seemed to be surprised that I, as a wing wiper, knew she was a unique design, especially in her reactors. The other was an A-3 crewman. That's the Skywarrior and is one big airplane to be launching off a carrier with a catapult, the AF version was the B-66.

The twins were glad grandpa was there, and gave me quick smiles when I stood each time, but nothing like the one their big sister had given me. She had even been present once before, on the 4th of July at a fireworks show, when the veteran's were asked to stand and be recognized, so it's not like it was a suprise. Maybe the ability to brag to her peers? Maybe just a little?

The best part was when a third grader hurried past that WW-II vet, patted him on the shoulder and said "Hi Great Grandpa". He replied, with her name. That's what it's really all about.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our thanks to all of your family for your service to our country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

God Bless you good, Mac. Good night and rest well.
Thanks for helping honor our troops, past and present.
Thank you for your service to our country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome to the Canteen, onthegulf. Our thanks to your husband for his service to our country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Luv....did you have a nice Thanksgiving dinner out?

Did you have to work all weekend?
Lots of folks trying to get ready for Christmas?

[luvie]

I only worked on Friday, thank goodness. Busy will be the norm form now on. A good thing for business!

Saw you have jury duty......ack!

[Kathy in Alaska]

I escaped Monday. My number is 631. They called 1-256 for tomorrow. 1 night down, 4 more call ins to go.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Oh my goodness....El Gato, how proud you must be to have met that WWII vet, and a great grandpa too boot, and be able to chat with him about things you both knew about. What memories!

And then the smiles of your granddaughters, knowing that that is "my" grandpa.

Our thanks to all of you for your service to our country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. Thanks for this morning's thread, Star. How's it going?