 | "Every Hero Has A Story." My Blogging From A to Z theme bridges the summer library reading programs throughout the U.S. with storytelling opportunities, ideas, and activities. |
Children and adults alike should hear this true tale of personal courage, caring for others, and perseverance. I had never heard of the Berlin Candy Bombers or Gail Halvorsen until a few years ago but now I share their story often to the schools I visit while storytelling.
Three years after the end of WWII on June 24, 1948, Russia's Josef Stalin, blockaded the canal routes, roads, and railroads to cut off West Berliners from food, clothing, and heat for fifteen horrific months. America and Great Britain's Air Forces stepped up and on June 26, 1948 through Sept. 30, 1949 flew over 277,000 missions, delivering needed staples such as flour, wheat, milk, meat, coal, and kerosene - day and night. Their efforts fed over 2.2 million people!
Col. Gail Halvorsen was one of those pilots and this is where his story begins. While delivering supplies, he noticed about 30 children, ranging from 8 - 11 year olds, standing at the end of the runway. They were hungry, but remained courteous, thanking him for the flour and asking questions. There was no complaining - just grateful that America and Great Britain had not forgotten them - just grateful for their freedom. Gail wanted to give them something so he dug into his pocket and pulled out two sticks of Spearmint Gum wrapped in the foil paper. He knew it wouldn't be enough for all the kids but went ahead and handed them over to the kids. The wrappers were then torn in thin pieces and passed around to the others so each could smell the mint. Witnessing all of this made Gail proclaim that he would drop chocolate the next day, realizing that these children had probably never tasted sugar or chocolate. The kids asked how they would know it was him and Gail replied that he would wiggle the wings of the plane and then drop the chocolate down using parachutes made from handkerchiefs. As promised, he delivered the Hershey Chocolate bars one day after the next. He was soon known as "Uncle Wiggly Wings" or "Onkel Wackelflügel" and "The Chocolate Bomber." Eventually, a German reporter caught Col. Halvorsen in action and wrote an article in their local newspaper. Halvorsen's secret act of kindness was not secret anymore. Gail noted that he was disciplined and almost court martialed but other pilots joined him in this brave endeavor to give the West Berliners hope for their freedom by delivering masses of Hershey Chocolate bars to now thousands of children.
 | The Germans remember this act of kindness, braveness, and humanity. The pilots were considered heroes and still are today. Please share this story to others - especially children of today who are learning what acts of kindness mean to the world. |
Links to the Berlin Candy Bomber- Col. Gail Halvorsen
| This is a PDF lesson plan kit on the Berlin Air Lift | ||
| | Nice narration by Gail Halvorsen of his decision to drop chocolate candy using white handkerchiefs as parachutes from the plane. |
| | A bit more detailed information about Gail and his men. |
 Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot |  The Berlin Candy Bomber |
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