A 98 Year Old USAF Veteran Remembers the Berlin AIrlift (417)

A 98 Year Old USAF Veteran Remembers the Berlin AIrlift (417)

The Berlin Airlift stands as one of the most significant events in Cold War history, a testament to the resilience and determination of the Allies in the face of Soviet adversity. I speak with 98 year old veteran Ralph Dionne, who played a crucial role in this monumental operation. Ralph details the story of the Berlin Airlift and shares his journey from basic training to becoming a flight engineer during the Airlift. His insights provide a unique perspective on the challenges faced by military personnel tasked with delivering food, coal, and other supplies under the threat of Soviet control. The airlift was not just a logistical operation; it was a lifeline for the people of West Berlin, showcasing the unity and resolve of the Western Allies. One of the most touching aspects of Ralph's story is the kindness shown by airmen who dropped candy to children in Berlin, a gesture that became known as Operation Little Vittles. This act of humanity amidst war served to strengthen the bond between the Allies and the citizens of Berlin, fostering hope during a dark time. Throughout the episode, Ralph reflects on the broader implications of the Berlin Airlift, emphasizing how its success prevented the spread of Soviet influence in Western Europe. As we listen to his experiences, we are reminded of the importance of remembering our history and the lessons it holds for the present and future. Veteran of the Cold War Berlin Airlift – the Candy Bomber https://coldwarconversations.com/episode56/ Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode417/ The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Threads ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Love history? Join Intohistory ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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REME Keeping the British Army on the road during the Cold War (309)

REME Keeping the British Army on the road during the Cold War (309)

Aged 16 Chris joined the British Army apprentice school in Arborfield, at Princess Marina College. He was trained as a vehicle mechanic in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers otherwise known as ...

15 Syys 202331min

Gunfire in the Woods: A foiled escape and imprisonment in Cold War East Germany  (308)

Gunfire in the Woods: A foiled escape and imprisonment in Cold War East Germany (308)

This is part two of Henrik’s story. You can hear the first part in episode 307. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode307 It’s the late 1980s and Henrik and his friends plan to escape from East Germ...

8 Syys 20231h 29min

Growing up in Cold War East Germany's Valley of the Clueless (307)

Growing up in Cold War East Germany's Valley of the Clueless (307)

Henrik was born in the late 1960s near Dresden in East Germany. The area was sarcastically known as the Tal der Ahnungslosen or Valley of the Clueless, as the area generally was not able to receive TV...

1 Syys 20231h 14min

Flying the Cold War A10 Tankbuster Part 2 (306)

Flying the Cold War A10 Tankbuster Part 2 (306)

You are listening to part 2 of my chat with Joe who joined the USAF in 1981 and was trained to fly the A10 Warthog a single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft designed to provide close air support to grou...

25 Elo 202349min

Flying the Cold War A10 Tankbuster Part 1 (305)

Flying the Cold War A10 Tankbuster Part 1 (305)

Joe’s father served in World War 2 in the USAF. His service inspired Joe to try and join the USAF or the Naval Air Force despite having no flying experience. It’s the aftermath of the Vietnam War so f...

18 Elo 202353min

A Cold War Polish childhood near Wroclaw (304)

A Cold War Polish childhood near Wroclaw (304)

Tom lived in western Poland in an area that had been part of Germany until the end of World War 2. He describes how his grandmother settled in this area and the strangeness of taking over formerly Ger...

11 Elo 20231h 29min

Soviet MIG shoots-down a US RB-47H reconnaissance plane (303)

Soviet MIG shoots-down a US RB-47H reconnaissance plane (303)

On 1 July 1960, a United States RB-47H reconnaissance plane was shot down by the Soviet Air Defence Forces while performing signals intelligence in the Barents Sea, near the Kola Peninsula, off the Ar...

4 Elo 202349min

The rise and fall of East German leader Erich Honecker (302)

The rise and fall of East German leader Erich Honecker (302)

Honecker emerged as an ambitious political player and became the shadowy mastermind behind the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, a crucial moment in twentieth-century history. Author Nathan Mor...

28 Heinä 20231h 13min

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