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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Frozen in Time  - the Cold War Nottingham War Rooms (387)

Frozen in Time - the Cold War Nottingham War Rooms (387)

Last year I was given the unique opportunity to visit the Nottingham War Rooms. The site is about to be re-developed so it was a rare chance to see a British Regional Seat of Government bunker that h...

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Defending Baltic Skies : A Swedish Air Force Pilot's Cold War (386)

Defending Baltic Skies : A Swedish Air Force Pilot's Cold War (386)

During the Cold War Sweden outwardly maintained its neutrality, however from the 1960s the U.S. secretly promised to provide military force in aid of Sweden in case of Soviet aggression. As part of th...

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Letters across the Iron Curtain -  Unseen Cold War Correspondence between Soviet and American Women (385)

Letters across the Iron Curtain - Unseen Cold War Correspondence between Soviet and American Women (385)

In the tense years of the early Cold War, American and Soviet women conducted a remarkable pen-pal correspondence that enabled them to see each other as friends rather than enemies. In a compelling n...

25 Tammi 20251h 2min

From Cold War Berlin to Belfast – A Paratrooper’s Story Pt 2 (384)

From Cold War Berlin to Belfast – A Paratrooper’s Story Pt 2 (384)

David Mackay is a former Cold War special forces officer and author of Bubbleheads, SEALs and Wizards: America's Scottish Bastion in the Cold War. He continues his unvarnished anecdotes about his Cold...

18 Tammi 20251h 10min

Bombs, Berlin & Peacekeeping: A Paratrooper's Cold War Story Pt 1 (383)

Bombs, Berlin & Peacekeeping: A Paratrooper's Cold War Story Pt 1 (383)

David Mackay is a former Cold War special forces officer and author of Bubbleheads, SEALs and Wizards: America's Scottish Bastion in the Cold War. He returns by popular demand to share his compelling ...

11 Tammi 20251h

Watching the Jackals: Prague's Covert Liaisons with Cold War Terrorists and Revolutionaries (382)

Watching the Jackals: Prague's Covert Liaisons with Cold War Terrorists and Revolutionaries (382)

Author Daniela Richterova new book "Watching the Jackals" tells the untold history of Czechoslovakia's complex relations with Middle Eastern terrorists and revolutionaries during the closing decades o...

4 Tammi 20251h 6min

The Truth about the Gulf of Tonkin incident that sparked the Vietnam War (381)

The Truth about the Gulf of Tonkin incident that sparked the Vietnam War (381)

The Gulf of Tonkin incident, was a pivotal moment that escalated U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. I talked with US Marine Veteran John F. Davies, who researched the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. He sh...

28 Joulu 202456min

Under Fire: A Journalist's Story of the 1989 Romanian Revolution (380)

Under Fire: A Journalist's Story of the 1989 Romanian Revolution (380)

Today we are transported back to a pivotal moment in history that occurred 35 years ago this month - the Romanian Revolution of 1989. This episode is from our archive and features, Mark Brayne, a f...

21 Joulu 202444min

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