Papers relating to <i>The Berlin Airlift </i>television documentary, 1997-1998.

Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives

Copyright: The texts of the detailed catalogues are the copyright of King's College London and are made available for private research only.

Papers relating to The Berlin Airlift television documentary, 1997-1998.

BERLINAIRLIFT 1 1997

Typescript transcript of interview, 1997 May 13, with Sir Frank (Kenyon) Roberts, Principal Private Secretary to Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1947-1949, describing events and negotiations leading up to the Berlin Airlift. 26pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 2 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Flight Lt Dick Arscott, RAF, describing his experience of the initial flight routine for the airlift into West Berlin during 1948. 26pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 3 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Stan Sicklemore, formerly RAF pilot, 138 Sqn, and First Officer on Avro 688 Tudor aircraft flying from Warensdorf, West Germany to RAF Gatow airbase, West Berlin, during 1948-Jun 1949. 23pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 4 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Sgt John Eddy RAF, describing flying Douglas DC-3 Dakota aircraft into West Berlin's Gatow and Tegel airfields and during 1948 and crashing the aircraft on approach to Lübeck, in East German territory. 20pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 5 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with George Holtum, Radio Officer, describing the operations of Avro 685 York and Avro 683 Lancaster aircraft flying into West Berlin during the airlift; also crash landing at the Gatow airfield on 26 Jun 1949. 16pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 6 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Alan Melvin, RAF Aircraftsmen, later Corporal, describing his working in Gatow airfield during the airlift; the camaraderie with American servicemen; relations with the Soviet forces in Berlin; also recalls the crash landing of 26 Jun 1949. 45pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 7 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Geoff Smith, RAF Aircraft Electrician, who served as ground staff at RAF Gatow airfield, West Berlin, prior to and during the airlift, March 1948–1949. Describes conditions in Berlin, and on the base. Also mentions the crash landing of 26 June 1949. 55pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 8 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Lt Douglas Farge RN, Air Traffic Controller at Gatow, Jan 1949–Oct 1949, describing his role in the airlift. Mentions Soviet forces harassment tactics. 34pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 9 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Hazel Willett, widow of Sgt Frank Dowling RAF, who was killed when his aircraft crashed at Lübeck during the airlift operation 1948, also mentions later visits to Berlin with other widows. 19pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 10 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Tom Holland, 230 Sqn, Sunderland flying boat pilot, describing flying the route from Hamburg to Berlin delivering mainly salt, and evacuating sick children during airlift operations in 1948. Mentions the difficulties of landing on water. 26pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 11 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Wg Cdr James Manning, describing flying Douglas DC-3 Dakota aircraft into Berlin during the airlift operations. Mentions the crash which killed Frank Dowling. Also being interviewed by Chester Wilmot for the BBC. 52pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 12 [1997-1998]

Typescript of transcript of interview with Jessamy Waite, wife of Air Cdre Reginald Newnham Waite, describing his involvement in the planning and management of airlift operations, and life in Berlin during 1948-1949. 30pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 13 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Pip Parsons, a WAAF administrator working at the RAF Gatow airfield during the airlift operations. She describes the role of the women in the operation, conditions in Berlin, attitudes of German women to the Soviet forces, 1948-1949. 23pp.

BERLINAIRLIFT 14 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Norman Clark, a journalist for the News Chronicle responsible for region of West Germany, describing his visits to Berlin during the airlift operations, and the conditions in the city, incidents with the Soviet forces, the black market in Berlin, and self censorship, 1948-1949. 27pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 15 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Arthur Frederick Maddocks, Foreign Service (later Diplomatic) Washington 1946–1948, Foreign Office, 1949–1951, discussing the causes of the blockade and the role of the Foreign Service and Anglo American relations. Mentions Donald Maclean, British Diplomat and Soviet spy, defected to USSR in 1951. 32pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 16 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Jean Eastham who worked at the headquarters of British troops, Berlin, describing train journey from West Germany to West Berlin, incidents involving Soviet forces, the Berlin black market and her tasks during the airlift operation, 1948–1949. 36pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 17 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Alf Johnson, Medical Officer at Warendorf, West Germany commenting on the health of servicemen involved in the airlift operations Jun 1948–Jan 1949. Mentions nutrition, stress and venereal disease. Also recalls visits to Berlin during blockade. 37pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 18 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with David Murphy, US Intelligence Officer at Berlin Base [1948-1949] and author, discussing the postwar division of Germany, the causes of the blockade, German attitudes to the Soviet occupation, possibility of open hostilities, intelligence reporting including the activities of Guy Philby, Harold 'Kim' Burgess and Donald Maclean. 64pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 19 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Bill Morrissey, US Air Force Air Traffic Controller at RAF Celle airbase, West Germany, describing his working routine, recreation activities, curfews and venereal disease incidence, Nov 1948-1949. Also lists Berlin airlift veterans associations. 27pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 20 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Donald Pastore, US Air Traffic Controller at Tempelhof Air Base West Berlin, describing his role during the airlift, the flight landing routine, recreation activities and meeting Valerie his future wife, their subsequent marriage. Also interview with Valerie Pastore, German civilian, Berlin, describing the Soviet forces occupation of Berlin, 1945, and conditions during the airlift, 1948–1949. 34pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 21 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Albert Caratenuto, US Air Force Flight Engineer, describing flying Douglas C-47 Skytrain and C-54 Skymaster aircraft to from Rhine-Main, West Germany to Tempelhof Air Base, Berlin, prior to and during the blockade, 1947–1948. Also mentions encounters with Soviet aircraft and his black market dealings. 23pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 22 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Anita Tallant, German civilian and telephone operator at a US Air Force Base in West Germany, describing her work , and meeting her future husband. Also with Thomas Tallant, US Air Force engineer, formerly served in Project Sandstone in the Pacific, who serviced hydraulic components on Douglas C-54 Skymaster aircraft during the airlift, 1948–1949. 13pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 23 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Manfred Knopf, German civilian, US sector of Berlin1945–1949, describing his childhood experiences, returning to Berlin from West Germany, attitudes to occupying forces, Soviet forces treatment of German women, post-war conditions in Berlin, mass graves, uprising in East Berlin-17 June 1953, rationing and the airlift operation. Mentions the memory of the 'candy bomber'(Lt Halvorsen) who dropped mini parachutes attached to parcels of candy for the children of Berlin. 24pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 24 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with John Passanante, US Air Force, describing his service maintaining aircraft based at Rhine-Main, West Germany during the airlift, 1948–1949. Comments on conditions in post-war Germany, the black market, visits to Berlin, flight routines, the 'Easter Parade' maximum effort campaign and US 'patriotic fever'. 26pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 25 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Lothar Zeidler, German interpreter and journalist, describing conditions in Berlin during the blockade and German attitudes to the Soviet forces, involvement in the black market, and surviving crash of Douglas C-47 in East German territory in Jan 1949, whilst en route to study in the USA. 28pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 26 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Gerry Munn, US Air Force, former B24 bomber pilot, recounting flying from Weisbarden, West Germany to Gatow airfield, West Berlin during 1949–1949. Also mentions Soviet forces interference with aircraft, the flight routine, Ground Control Approach (GCA) use of radar, and participation in the 'Easter Parade' – a maximum effort campaign. 15pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 27 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Ken Herman, US Air Force pilot and President of the Berlin Airlift Veterans Association, describing conditions on arrival at Fassberg Air Base in West Germany, relations between the US and British services, flight routines, the Soviet bomber range next to Gatow airfield, Berlin, and the West German black market, [1948–1949]. 23pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 28 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Col Gail S Halvorsen, US Air Force, describing flying from Rhine-Main, West Germany to Tempelhof, West Berlin during 1948–1949. Explains how Operation Little Vittles – drops of candy to the children of Berlin – was instigated, the methods, and its significance in the airlift. Also mentions service as Commander of Tempelhof Airport in the 1970s and encounters with people who were children during the airlift. 67pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 29 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Chamber Roberts, [US] journalist, who visited Berlin during the airlift describing post war Berlin and commenting on German-Soviet attitudes, also US attitudes to the USSR [1948–1949]. 21pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 30 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Bess Vahn, sister of James Vahn, US Air Force. Recounts his WW2 experience as a ground radar observer and prisoner of war in Germany, his participation in the Berlin airlift and death in crash of flight from Berlin to Frankfurt 18 Oct 1948. 8pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 31 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Maj Bill Voight, US Air Force, describing his flights from Rhine-Main airfield, Frankfurt, to West Berlin transporting coal, landings at Tempelhof airfield, and one aborted flight from Frankfurt. Mentions co-pilot Robert D Roller, and their record of never missing a landing approach at Tempelhof airfield [1946–1949]. 17pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 32 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Col Wolfgang Samuel, German civilian, (later US Air Force), describing conditions in 1945 in East Germany as a 10 year old, escaping to the West with his family, the black market, prostitution, perceptions of war, attitudes to Soviet forces, British and American soldiers, experience of the airlift while living near Fassberg airfield in 1948-1949, meeting US airman-later his stepfather. 59pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 33 [1997-1998]

Transcripts of two interviews with Jurgen Graf, one is noted as 'inaudible on tape', hence transcript is incomplete, the other noted as being interpreted. Graf, a reporter and former German soldier was initially employed by the Soviet controlled German Broadcasting Corporation in Berlin, and later by the American funded German radio station in Berlin. Describes conditions in Berlin during the blockade, watching flying boats land at a former Berlin resort lake, the beginnings of his reporting career, attitudes of Berliners to East Germany, role of Berlin's Mayor-Ernst Reuter, the black market and 'no fraternisation' rule. 26pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 34 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of translation of interview with Eberhard Diepgen, (b1941) German schoolboy in Berlin during airlift operations 1948-1949 (later Governing Mayor of West Berlin in 1984, 1985–1991, 1996–1999). Comments on the significance of the airlift to East West relations, the demolition of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the reunification of Germany, and reconstruction of Eastern Europe. 15pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 35 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of translated interview with Herbert Monien, former German POW and security worker at Tempelhof airfield during the Berlin airlift 1948– 949. Recounting the crash of a US Navy aircraft on 15 November 1948, which was transporting sugar, and rescuing three crew members. Also describes his daily tasks. 7pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 36 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of translated interview with Gerhard Haupt, German school boy, recalling the end of WW2 and the arrival of the Soviet forces in Berlin. Also described an aircraft crashing into his house during the Berlin Airlift [1948–1949]. Mentions the scarcity of food and the black market in East Berlin. 15pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 37 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of translated interview with Hertha Tiede, German civilian who worked at Fassberg Air Base, describing the conditions of her family in Berlin after 1945 and during the airlift 1948-1949. Also describes her work at the Air Base, attitudes to British and US servicemen, organising their recreation activities, and her daily tasks in the Air Force News Office. 18pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 38 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Mercedes Wild, German schoolgirl, recounting experience of life in Berlin after 1945 and during the airlift 1948-1949, scarcity of food, the black market, electricity shortages, writing to the 'candy bomber' and receiving reply from Lt Gail S Halvorsen, also meeting him in 1971. 17pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 39 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of translated interview with Kurt Geisler, journalist for Berlin Newspaper during the airlift, [1948–1949] recalling conditions in Berlin during the blockade and how he joined Klaus Appelforn to become the first civilians to leave Berlin after the blockade, traveling by cycle and train to Helmstedt, West Germany, and back. 9pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 40 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Col Gail B Halvorsen, US Air Force, in a Douglas C54 Skymaster aircraft at Tempelhof airfield, Berlin recounting receiving a teddy bear from a German child, also gifts of flowers, and describing how he came to drop candy to the children during the Berlin airlift, 1948–1949. 10pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 41 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Sergei A Kondrashev, Lt Gen in KGB's German department and author, commenting on the Soviet German relations after 1945, Soviet attitudes to the West, reasons for the Berlin Blockade, effect of the airlift operation, Donald Maclean and Soviet knowledge of Western plans, German monetary reform, and attitudes of Soviet forces to Germans [1948–1949]. 33pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 42 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Yuri Modin, Soviet Intelligence, explaining the Soviet perspective on the Berlin airlift, reasons for the blockade, attitudes to the West. Also describes Donald Maclean's recruitment and method information transfer. 34pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 43 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Robert Lochner, German interpreter for US Gen Lucius D Clay describing the role or Gen Clay in the Berlin Airlift, currency reform and the Economic Council. Also his departure from Berlin in 1949 and 1961 visit to Berlin. Recounts own role in the broadcast announcement of the end of the blockade. Mentions the role of Berlin Mayor Ernst Reuter, Prof Ludwig Erhard (later German Chancellor 1963-1966), Alfred Hartmann (later West German State Secretary in the Ministry of Finance). 29pp, missing pages 3 – 6

BERLINAIRLIFT 44 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with Gen Von Scheren, German school boy (1948–1949), describing conditions in East Berlin after 1945, traveling to West Berlin and flying out during the blockade to be reunited with his father in West Germany. Mentions the landing of Sunderland Flying boats in Berlin and the black market. Comments on the Soviet blockade strategy. 18pp

BERLINAIRLIFT 45 [1997-1998]

Typescript transcript of interview with James Manning, RAF and Col Gail S Halverson (US Air Force) at the Airlift Memorial, near Gatow airfield Berlin, reminiscing about the Berlin Airlift 1948–1949, and its significance. Mentions particularly the landing intervals between aircraft and the maximum effort campaign. 10pp

Last modified: Monday, 08-Aug-2005 13:19:50 BST