World | Other World Stories
Germany marks historic Berlin Airlift
Thousands gather to honour American, British and French veterans of the operation.
- Agencies
- Published: 22:52 May 12, 2009
Berlin: Berlin paid tribute on Tuesday to veterans of the 1948-49 Berlin Airlift in which the Western allies flew vital supplies into West Berlin, a key Cold War moment.
At the Tempelhof Airport, the hub for US planes, 60th anniversary ceremonies drew thousands of people to honour 120 American, British and French veterans of the operation.
Dale Whipple, a 78-year-old veteran from Benton, Louisiana, said participating in the airlift was one of the most significant events of his life.
"When you come over here and meet the people who've benefited from our efforts, its truly a humbling feeling," Whipple said.
The Berlin Airlift began June 26, 1948, in a plan to feed and supply West Berlin, after the Soviets - one of the four occupying powers of Berlin after Second World War - blockaded the city to squeeze the US, Britain and France out of the enclave within Soviet-occupied eastern Germany.
US, British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South African pilots flew 278,000 flights to Berlin over 15 months, carrying about 2.3 million tonnes of food, coal and medicine.
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