Freeper Canteen ~ The Berlin Airlift Part 3 - Operation Little Vittles ~ 16 December 2024

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The Berlin Airlift
Part 3:  Operation Little Vittles
All info and photos from this website.

Link to Part 1
Link to Part 2

           

"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 1^st 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"         Fairchild C-82 "Packet"                          Douglas C-74 "Globemaster"       

 

...continued and concluded next week....

 

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[SkyDancer]

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Hi Everybody!

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[Kathy in Alaska]

~ The Berlin Airlift Part 3: Operation Little Vittles ~

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[rktman]

Thanks. Again.

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy. The story of the airlift has always remained exciting.

[PROCON]

Good evening Kathy and thanks for another chapter in our Berlin Airlift Story, an incredible tale!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Janey...((HUGS))...hope you are enjoying a storm free Sunday/Monday.

We dropped into the teens overnight with enough snow to re-flock our trees.

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

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

THANK YOU
for your service!

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Have you gotten some rest this weekend?
Bet you’re glad you didn’t have to go anywhere today. It is COLD and icy up there.

[ExTexasRedhead]

As we are finding out now, politicians, the Military Industrial Complex & corporations created the Vietnam war & resultant carnage for power & personal greed. They can each explain their part to God when their reckoning day comes.

Vietnam Veteran Survived Four Combat Tours
First Bayonet Charge of the Vietnam War | Unbelievable War Story

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/W8PcDZmotLA

Vietnam Veteran Survived Four Combat Tours | Full Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2yOH2yRMqk

Comments about this interview.

“50 years later and you can tell it is still real and happening to him. Combat PTSD. Respect.”

“This made my eyes water. It’s about time we told some of our stories. Coming home sucked. To all Vietnam vets, from the heart...THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY!”

“The way he tells it you can tell he remembers every moment to this day and it really affected him. No words to thank these men for serving their country and going through absolute hell and carnage.”

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

I reckon you’ve been staying holed up a lot with the luverly weather up your way. Not been the nicest.
Hope all’s going well with you now. Feeling a lot better at last?

[The Mayor]

December 16, 2024

Today's Scripture

1 Thessalonians 5:4-11

Bible in a Year

• Amos 4-6; Revelation 7

Today's Insights

To encourage believers in Jesus who were suffering because of their faith, Paul reminded them of the blessed hope of His imminent return (1 Thessalonians 1:3, 10; 3:13; 4:13-17; 5:1-10). Twice, he instructed them to “encourage one another” (4:18; 5:11). The Greek word translated “encourage” (parakaleō) means “to come alongside”; “to give one the strength and courage to get up and get going again.” It’s like giving a much-needed push to a child’s swing to get it moving. The apostle John used paraklētos to refer to the Holy Spirit, who comes alongside us to be our “Advocate” (John 14:26). It’s difficult to find an equivalent to this Greek word, so it’s translated in several different ways to describe the Spirit: “Helper,” “Counselor,” “Comforter,” “Companion,” or “Friend.” These are all apt descriptions of coming alongside to encourage.

Today's Devotional

An Indiana schoolteacher suggested that her students write notes of encouragement and inspiration for their peers. Days later, when a school tragedy occurred in a different part of the country, their notes buoyed the spirits of their fellow students as they dealt with the resulting fear and pain that something could happen to them too.

Encouragement and mutual concern were also on Paul’s mind when he wrote to the believers at Thessalonica. They had lost friends, and Paul instructed them to hope in Jesus’ promised return to bring their loved ones to life again (1 Thessalonians 4:14). While they didn’t know when that would occur, he reminded them that as believers they needn’t wait in fear of God’s judgment when He returned (5:9). Instead, they could wait with confidence in their future life with Him and meanwhile “encourage one another and build each other up” (v. 11).

When we experience painful losses or senseless tragedies, it’s easy to be overcome with fear and sadness. Yet Paul’s words are helpful to us today, just as when they were written. Let’s wait in hopeful expectation that Christ will restore all things. And meanwhile, we can encourage each other—with written notes, spoken words, acts of service, or a simple hug.

Reflect & Pray

How have you been encouraged by others? How can you encourage someone today?

Risen Jesus, despite my hurts in a messed-up world, please help me to wait on You with hope and faith and to encourage those around me until You come again.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...any good sunrises lately, or too much rain?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Glad you are enjoying.

[PROCON]

Howdy radu!

It has been a cold start to December but we had bright sun today which led me to visit Robin and the pups.

I'm doing fine, feeling better too, thanks for asking.

What's up with you and the kittehs?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mooch...glad you enjoy. Do you have snow now?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...such a huge story of the ingenuity our military. It needs to be retold often.

[radu]

I think we all had a cold start to December. Felt more like late January here. TOO SOON! LOL

Nice that it felt good enough to get out for a bit today so you could hang out with Robin and those silly pups for a while. VERY glad to know you’re feeling well enough to GET out and about again.

Not a whole lot going on here. It warmed up a little for the next few days but will get cold again Thursday. We’re ridin’ a wild roller coaster down here.
The kittehs are doing fine though they’ve been wound up the past couple of days. It’s full moon time again. LOL

[luvie]

"Operation Little Vittles"
Saved lives of the starving German people.
God bless our American troops!