Can you imagine candy falling from the sky? Well that is what children living in Berlin, Germany saw in 1948 during the Berlin Airlift known as "Operation Vittles." The people of Germany were suffering from destruction caused by Word War II, and they were hungry and in need of supplies. Berlin, the German capital city, was divided into four sectors with American, British, and French troops controlling the western half of the city and Soviet forces controlling the eastern half. In order to gain control of the entire city, the Soviets created a blockade around Berlin. Trucks, trains, and boats could not bring food and supplies into the city.
What
is the Freedom Timeline?
The American Response to Terrorism is being
fought in many ways. You may be hearing
new words on television and at school such
as intelligence, diplomacy and humanitarian
relief.
These words have served as markers
on America's timeline of freedom over many
years, and these stories show the courage
and strength of Americans who made a contribution
in the quest for freedom.
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The United States and the British
military responded
by sending airplanes to drop packages of food
and supplies
for the 2.5 million people living in Berlin.
For 11
months, the planes distributed tons of food
each day.
Just a few weeks after the operation
began, Lt.
Gail Halverson began dropping tiny bundles of
candy
and chewing gum to crowds of children
greeting him and
the other C-54 pilots at the airport.
Newspapers printed
stories about this "chocolate bomber" and he
began receiving
packages of candy bars and handkerchiefs in
the mail
for "Operation Little Vittles." Children
looked forward
to receiving sweet treats from these
"candy bombers."
The Soviets ended their blockade of
Berlin in May
1949, and Operation Vittles officially ended
a few weeks
later. The Berlin Airlift was an important
humanitarian
effort and a significant marker in the
timeline of freedom.
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