With Compliments to the nations they have supported the Berlin Airlift.The 62nd anniversary of the end of the Berlin Airlift, please do not forget the great contributions of the French Allies.

In December 1948, the French Allies demonstrated they too could contribute. The new Tegel airport in Berlin, located in the French sector, was completed on Friday, November 5, almost two months ahead of schedule and test flights began immediately. Before the new airfield could become fully operational, however, something had to be done about a large 200 foot radio tower sticking up in the approach path. The tower was owned by the Soviet controlled Radio Berlin and numerous French requests to the Soviets to move it or dismantle it had been ignored. In December when Tegel was to become fully operational and the tower still stood presenting an obvious danger to aircraft, the French attached explosives to its base and blew it down. The next day, Kotikov, the Soviet Berlin Commander, stormed into French General Jean Ganeval's headquarters protesting and threatening dire consequences for the French. Ganeval politely but firmly, told Kotikov that the Soviets had had ample time to solve the problem, had ignored his requests, and, therefore, he had had no other alternative to insure planes and lives were not threatened.

This courageous action by the French commander won the support of his British and American colleagues and the admiration and praise of the Berliners. A few days later, the French further endeared themselves to the Berlin populace when General Pierre Koenig, the French military governor, made his private airplane available to transport Christmas gifts for Berlin children.

The British Hasting landed on the new Berlin Tegel Airfield – Nov. 1948

Source: The National Air Force Museum of the United States of America, Dayton, OHIOAirbridge to Berlin by D.M. Giangreco and Robert E. Griffin

The dedication of Tegel Airfield, 1 December 1948. General Jean Ganeval, who ordered the demolition of Radio Berlins broadcast tower, is saluting at front row left.

Source: The National Air Force Museum of the United States of America, Dayton, OHIO

With Compliments to the nations they have supported the Berlin Airlift

The 62nd anniversary of the end of the Berlin Airlift – Berlin the 12th of May at the Airlift Memorial

Photos by Horst Simon 2011

The 62nd anniversary of the end of the Berlin Airlift – Berlin the 12 th of May at the Airlift Memorial

Photos by Horst Simon 2011