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

Cold War Conversations - "vivid & compelling" The NY Times

Ian Sanders

History, Documentary, Society & Culture

4.8 • 865 Ratings

🗓️ 15 August 2025

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

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

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
0:06.1	Templehof Airport appeared like a large, round, and flat area.
0:10.4	Final approach to landing, it required descending down over an asymmetry and close to apartment buildings.
0:16.4	When glancing to the right, we were passing buildings at balcony level.
0:21.9	This is Cold War Conversations.
0:25.2	If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to first-hand Cold War history accounts.
0:30.5	Please follow us in your podcast app so you don't miss a single episode.
0:35.3	The Berlin Air Lift stands as one of the most significant events in Cold War
0:39.7	history, a testament to the resilience and determination of the Allies in the face of Soviet
0:44.9	adversity. I speak with 98-year-old veteran Ralph Dion who played a crucial role in this monumental
0:52.1	operation. Ralph details the story of the Berlin airlift
0:56.4	and shares his journey from basic training to becoming a flight engineer.
1:00.9	His insights provide a unique perspective of the challenges faced by military personnel
1:05.9	tasked with delivering food, coal and other supplies
1:08.8	under the threat of Soviet control. I'm delighted to welcome
1:13.1	Ralph Dionne to our Cold War Conversation. As your Cold War Conversations podcast cover the full
1:21.2	spectrum of events and the individuals involved during a Cold War, I share your thought that this is an appropriate time
1:29.4	to look back and recall how the Cold War began. Following World War II, defeated Germany was divided
1:37.3	into two separate zones, that of the Allies consisting of the UK, the USA, and France, all occupying the western half of Germany,
1:48.5	boarding on France. The eastern half of Germany was occupied by the Soviet Union, boarding with
1:55.3	the former Poland. Unfortunately, the city of Berlin was located deep within the Soviet zone.
2:04.3	The city itself was similarly divided with the Allies controlling the Western Sector's and
	...

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