ePub The Confederate Soldier's Pocket Manual of Devotions: Including Balm for the Weary and the Wounded by Charles Todd Quintard; Jr. William O. Nisbet in History

Description

The Berlin Candy Bomber is a love story-how two sticks of gum and one man's kindness to the children of a vanquished enemy grew into an epic of goodwill spanning the globe-touching the hearts of millions in both Germany and America. In June 1948; Russia laid siege to Berlin; cutting off the flow of food and supplies over highways into the city. More than two million people faced economic collapse and starvation. The Americans; English; and French began a massive airlift to bring sustenance to the city and to thwart the Russian siege. Gail Halvorsen was one of hundreds of U.S. pilots involved in the airlift. While in Berlin; he met a group of children standing by the airport watching the incoming planes. Though they hadn't asked for candy; he was impressed to share with them the two sticks of gum he had in his possession. Seeing how thrilled they were by this gesture; he promised to drop more candy to them the next time he flew to the area. True to his word; as he flew in the next day; he wiggled the wings of his plane to identify himself; then dropped several small bundles of candy using parachutes crafted from handkerchiefs to slow their fall. Local newspapers picked up the story. Suddenly; letters addressed to "Uncle Wiggly Wings" began to arrive as the children requested candy drops in other areas of the city. Enthusiasm spread to America; and candy contributions came from all across the country. Within weeks candy manufacturers began donating candy by the boxcar. In May 1949; the highway blockade ended; and the airlift ended in September. But the story of Uncle Wiggly Wings and the candy-filled parachutes lives on-a symbol of human charity.