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FReeper Canteen ~ The Berlin Airlift ~ Part 3: Operation Little Vittles ~ 12 December 2022
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

Posted on 12/11/2022 5:00:59 PM PST by 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 3:  Operation Little Vittles

All info and photos from
this website.

Link to Part 1
Link to Part 2

ArmyPatch small   NavySeal small   Air Force Seal   Marines Seal small   Coast Guard Seal small (better)

"DER SCHOKOLADEN FLIEGER"
 

OPERATION LITTLE VITTLES
 


40K JPEG
General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force is shown presenting the 1948 Cheney Award to 1st Lieutenant Gail S. Halvorsen, USAF, former Berlin Airlift pilot and originator of Operation Little Vittles while his wife, second from left, looks on.
U.S. Air Force Photograph Negative Number A-35720 AC
National Air and Space Archives Videodisc Number 3B-38771


One of the most poignant stories of the Berlin Airlift was that of one 1st Lt. Gail S. Halvorsen.  Halvorsen was somewhat of an ammeter moviemaker, and on July 17, he decided that on one of his off days, he would hitch a ride as a passenger on a C-54 and visit the City he was saving.  Once at Tempelhof, Halvorsen walked to the end of the runway to film some aircraft landings when he noticed a group of children near the fence watching the planes, too.  He went over to them.  They asked questions about the aircraft, the cargo, how fast it was going and things like that.  During this conversation he noticed that these children, unlike others he had encountered in Europe as a Ferry command Pilot during the War, did not ask him for any candy or gum, like others always had.  This struck him funny, and he knew that they were too proud to beg for such things.  Some having been born during wartime had not even heard of treats like that.  He made a fateful decision at that moment which was to become one of the symbols of the airlift.  He reached into his pocket and found that he had only two sticks of Wrigley's Doublemint Gum.  He remarked that if they did not fight over it, he would drop some candy to them if they were there the next day.  They agreed, took the sticks of gum and divided it amongst themselves, some happy to get only a piece of the wrapper.  Before he left them, a child asked him how they would know it was him flying over.  He replied, "I'll wiggle my wings." 
True to his word, the very next day, on approach to Berlin, he rocked the airplane and dropped some chocolate bars attached to a handkerchief parachute to the children waiting below.  Every day, the number of children would increase and he made several more drops.  Soon there was a stack of mail in Base Ops addressed to "Uncle Wiggly Wings', "The Chocolate Uncle" and "The Chocolate Flier". 
Halvorsen didn't tell anyone about what he was doing for fear he'd get in trouble.  Then, he was called into his commander and asked what he was doing.  He replied 'Flying, Sir."  His commander asked again, and received the same response.  He then pulled out a newspaper with a picture of Halvorsen's plane and tiny parachutes trailing behind.  Apparently, a newspaper reporter narrowly escaped being hit on the head with a chocolate bar.  His commander wasn't happy about it, but General Tunner though it was just the kind of gesture that the operation needed.  It was dubbed "Operation Little Vittles".  It continued, and many C-54 pilots participated.  Candy and parachutes were assembled and sent from Chicopee Falls, MA to assist in the gesture.  In the end, over three tons of candy was dropped over Berlin, some even in the Soviet sector.  For this simple kindhearted gesture, Halvorsen became the most recognized pilot of the Berlin Airlift. 

THE EASTER PARADE
 


By April 1949, airlift operations were going rather smoothly, and General Tunner wanted to break up the monotony.  He liked the idea of a big event that would show the capabilities of his command, as well as give everyone a big morale boost.  He wanted to set a record.  In order to do that, much planning was necessary, and it was decided that on Easter Sunday, the only cargo was to be coal.  In fact general Tunner wanted to shatter all previous tonnage records set so far.  Secretly, coal was stockpiled for the event.  Maintenance schedules were altered so that the maximum number of planes was available.  Everyone put in extra effort for this special event.  From 12:00PM April 15, to 12:00PM April 16, 1949, crews worked overtime to deliver more tonnage than had ever been delivered in a 24 hour period.  When it was over, 12,941 tons of coal had been delivered as a result of 1,383 flights without a single accident.  As a matter of fact, as a result, the daily tonnage also increased from 6,729 tons a day before the Easter Parade, to 8,893 tons per day, an unexpected benefit.  This was the straw that broke the camel's back.
 

THE END OF THE BLOCKADE
 

On May 12, 1949, the Soviets capitulated.  The blockade was over.  It was decided to continue supplying Berlin by air in addition to the land routes in order to build up a sufficient supply of goods.  The Airlift officially ended on Sept. 30, 1949, fifteen months after its meager beginnings in June of '48.  In total, the US delivered 1,783,572.7 tons, while 541,936.9 tons were delivered by the British totaling 2.3 Million tons from 277, 569 total flights to Berlin.  C-47's and C-54's alone traveled over 92 million miles in order to do so.  These were astounding figures, considering that in the beginning it seemed impossible to even try.  Nevertheless, even the greatest operation is not without risk.  A total of 101 fatalities were recorded as a result of the operation, including 31 Americans, mostly due to crashes. 

The end of the blockade was unexpected; however, as bigger plans were made and bigger planes were set to replace the existing fleet of C-54's.  The USAF had already used a C-74 "Globemaster" and one Boeing YC-97A "Stratofreighter" in the airlift, testing the feasibility of heavy-lift transports and their use in a continued operation.  The Douglas C-124 "Globemaster II" was coming and the plan was to use C-97's and 124's to continue the operation without as many flights.  Fortunately, that was not necessary. 

Boeing C-97 "Stratofreighter" owned by the Foundation         Fairchild C-82 "Packet"                          Douglas C-74 "Globemaster"       

 

...continued and concluded 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!





TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: berlinairlift; canteen; military; troopsupport
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1 posted on 12/11/2022 5:00:59 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Good evening Kathy, Merry Christmas, and thanks for tonight’s Canteen!


2 posted on 12/11/2022 5:05:16 PM PST by PROCON (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

😁👍 Thanks again.


3 posted on 12/11/2022 5:10:32 PM PST by rktman (Destroy America from within? Check! WTH? Enlisted USN 1967 to end up with this? 😕)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

THANKS. BEEN WAITING FOR THIS. C U LATER.


4 posted on 12/11/2022 5:16:32 PM PST by TigerHawk (The Raised Middle Finger in the Clenched Fist of the World!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Our Daily Bread

Monday,
December 12, 2022

I Heard the Bells
Read: Psalm 43

Why, my soul, are you downcast? . . . Put your hope in God. Psalm 43:5

“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” based on an 1863 poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, is a truly unusual Christmas song. Instead of the expected Christmas joy and mirth, the lyric forms a lament, crying out, “And in despair I bowed my head / There is no peace on earth I said / For hate is strong and mocks the song / Of peace on earth, good will to men.” This lament, however, moves forward into hope, reassuring us that “God is not dead, nor does he sleep / The wrong shall fail, the right prevail / With peace on earth goodwill toward men.”

The pattern of hope rising out of lament is also found in the lament psalms of the Bible. As such, Psalm 43 begins with the psalmist crying out about his enemies who attack him (v. 1) and his God who seems to have forgotten him (v. 2). But the singer doesn’t stay in lament—he looks up to the God he doesn’t fully understand but still trusts, singing, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (v. 5).

Life is filled with reasons for lament, and we all experience them on a regular basis. But, if we allow that lament to point us to the God of hope, we can sing joyfully—even if we sing through our tears.Bill Crowder

What concerns are you experiencing in this moment? From the testimony of Scripture, how can God offer you hope in this season of life?

I cry to You, Father, as I struggle under the burdens of life. Remind me that my help comes from above, from the Maker of heaven and earth.

Bible in a year: Hosea 9–11; Revelation 3

5 posted on 12/11/2022 5:17:33 PM PST by The Mayor (“Love the Lord your God,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39))
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To: PROCON

Good evening, Pro, and so glad you will be home for Christmas.

Making steady progress in the “feeling better” department?


6 posted on 12/11/2022 5:21:25 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: rktman

Good evening, rktman...hope you enjoy today’s installment.


7 posted on 12/11/2022 5:24:16 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska
My energy is returning slowly so I intend to venture out and get some much needed grocery and other shopping done tomorrow.

I've been relying too much on door dash for my meals, it sure is convenient though.

8 posted on 12/11/2022 5:27:39 PM PST by PROCON (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
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To: The Mayor; PROCON; mylife; mountainlion; Publius; Jet Jaguar; ConorMacNessa; ...

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!


9 posted on 12/11/2022 5:36:11 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: TigerHawk

Enjoy your evening, TigerHawk.


10 posted on 12/11/2022 5:37:06 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska; luvie; HiJinx; AZamericonnie; Jet Jaguar; SandRat; laurenmarlowe; beachn4fun; ...

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!


11 posted on 12/11/2022 5:43:08 PM PST by radu (God bless our military men and women, past and present)
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To: Kathy in Alaska
I have two stories about the airlift.

Stalin knew it was over when the first aircraft arrived with fresh stawberries.

The general who had made the airlift from India to China over the hump successful in WW II was assigned the job.

12 posted on 12/11/2022 5:44:16 PM PST by Retain Mike ( Sat Cong)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Howdy, Kathy.

Man, is it a MESS up there this evening!! Almost white-out conditions at the airports and the wind is whipping all that snow every which-way. Looking at the radar, it’s not ending any time soon. :-(

Keep it up there, please!!! LOL


13 posted on 12/11/2022 5:47:38 PM PST by radu (God bless our military men and women, past and present)
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To: PROCON
Howdy, PRO!
14 posted on 12/11/2022 5:52:28 PM PST by radu (God bless our military men and women, past and present)
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To: The Mayor

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

Hope you had a great weekend and are ready to take on the new week.


15 posted on 12/11/2022 5:54:00 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: PROCON

Good for you...just rest when you need to; don’t push it. 😊


16 posted on 12/11/2022 5:59:23 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: radu

Good evening, radu...what a great picture!!!


17 posted on 12/11/2022 6:09:07 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Hey there, Kathy.

Not as great as the story. :-)

I do love that beaming smile, which is why I chose it over an older shot. What wonderful memories he and all the others involved had to hold onto over the years. Memories to override many bad ones they might have had.


18 posted on 12/11/2022 6:23:35 PM PST by radu (God bless our military men and women, past and present)
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To: Retain Mike
Welcome to the Canteen, Retain Mike, and thanks for the stories. Fresh strawberries, heh? That could do it. LOL!

And we thank you for your service to our country.


19 posted on 12/11/2022 6:27:47 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))


20 posted on 12/11/2022 6:32:24 PM PST by left that other site (Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.)
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