American transport pilot Gail Helvorsen, who participated in Operation Berlin Airlift, has died at the age of 101. This is reported CNN.
It is specified that the pilot died surrounded by relatives after a short illness. Helvorsen rose to prominence after World War II. Operation Berlin Airlift took place from 23 June 1948 to 12 May 1949 in connection with the Soviet blockade of West Berlin. During this time, about 2.3 million tons of food, coal and gasoline were transported to the city’s residents.
Helvorsen dropped sweets to waiting German children at the edge of the airfield, using handkerchiefs as parachutes. After information about this appeared in the media, other military pilots also joined the action. The aircraft involved in the operation were called “raisin”, and Helvorsen became known as “raisin bomber” and “chocolate uncle”.
In 2010, a DC3 aircraft that took part in Operation Berlin Airlift, committed emergency landing at Berlin Schoenefeld Airport. In total, there were 25 passengers and three crew members on board the rare aircraft.