Berlin airlift: How “candy bombers” saved West Berlin

NARRATOR: The Berlin blockade - the droning motors of the "candy bombers" overhead give hope to West Berliners. Since the 24th of June, 1948 West Berlin has been cut off from the world. The Red Army has been ordered to bar all points of entry into the western sections of the city. Rescue by land is impossible. The Americans and British decide to supply the city with food and vital supplies by way of an airlift. The trapped civilians are counting on the western Allies.

EDITH HANCKE: "I kept thinking 'There is no way they'll allow this to continue. They won't stand for it. They must help us. They will help us.'"

NARRATOR: Countless planes supply the city from the air. Three secure air corridors have been agreed and are treated as one-way streets - two for outbound flights, the middle for return flights. The transporters fly five levels above one another, landing in Berlin every three minutes.

EBERHARD SCHÖNKNECHT: "The first impression was one of constant movement on the runway, aircraft constantly landing and taking off. We pulled up and the bags came flying down the ramp. It was really pretty hard work."

NARRATOR: Up to 700 flights deliver 5,000 tons daily. September 9, West Berliners demonstrate for freedom. The mayor Ernst Reuter addresses them.

ERNST REUTER: "People of the world, people of America, of England, of France, look at this city and recognize that you must not give up on this city, on these people."

NARRATOR: His words are both a call for help and a plea to abide. For the children the airlift is an adventure.

DIETER BADING: "The aircraft came down very slowly and you could see the crew, the pilot and the co-pilot, you could see them all. And they always waved to us."

NARRATOR: The Americans have a surprise for the children: little parachutes.

BADING: "There was chewing gum and some chocolate attached, and it was always a free-for-all as soon the candy came down."

NARRATOR: This is how America gains the sympathy of the young. Early 1949, ever larger aircraft bring ever greater quantities of goods. The Soviet Union recognizes that its blockade is failing. During negotiations in New York the Kremlin finally gives in. The passageways into Berlin are opened. May 12, 1949, Berlin celebrates the end of the blockade. The West has defended its freedom.

HANCKE: "We will always remain grateful. They saved us. There's only one thing to say. Hats off, unbelievable, great."

NARRATOR: The airlift transforms the relations between the victors of World War II and the defeated.

SCHÖNKNECHT: "It was then that I understood what freedom means, and also what friendship means. The Western Allies had now become our friends."