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The biggest humanitarian airlift operation in history was remembered June 26 with the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift at Frankfurt International Airport.
In 1948, more than 280,000 missions were flown by American, British and French
fliers over a 15-month period for the people of West Berlin. More than 2 million tons of coal, medicine and food were airlifted to West Berlin to overcome the Soviet
blockade, which threatened to starve about 2.5 million people into surrender.
“It was a beacon of hope to the people of Germany,” said Gen. Roger A. Brady, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander. While more than two tons of food and supplies were dropped in West Berlin, the most infamous treat that cascaded through the skies was chocolate. There were more than 20 tons of chocolate distributed throughout West Berlin.
Alois K. Fürst zu Löwenstein, a retired German Army colonel, remembered his first taste of chocolate when an American Soldier came into his house and Colonel Löwenstein bit his finger because his grand-mother had told him stories of Americans made out of chocolate.
“It was not just chocolate, but it was hope,” Colonel Löwenstein added.
“The Berlin Airlift brought out many of the best qualities of the human nature: gratitude and hope. The only reason I’m here is because of gratitude,” said retired Colonel Gail “Candy Bomber” Halvorsen, who was airlifted to the anniversary by the 37th Airlift Squadron.
The 37th AS also provided a static display at a Berlin Airlift 60th Anniversary in Wiesbaden.
“There were three children that I met during the Berlin Airlift,” said Colonel Halvorsen. “Not one asked me for a chocolate bar. They did not have enough to eat, but they would not beg. These Berlin children reinforced my views of the good qualities of human nature.”
