The Berlin Candy Bomber

by Gail S. Halvorsen

The Berlin Candy Bomber is a love story-how two sticks of gum and one man's kindness to the children of a vanquished enemy grew into an epic of goodwill spanning the globe-touching the hearts of millions in both Germany and America. In June 1948, Russia laid siege to Berlin, cutting off the flow of food and supplies over highways into the city. More than two million people faced economic collapse and starvation. The Americans, English, and French began a massive airlift to bring sustenance to the city and to thwart the Russian siege. Gail Halvorsen was one of hundreds of U.S. pilots involved in the airlift. While in Berlin, he met a group of children standing by the airport watching the incoming planes. Though they hadn't asked for candy, he was impressed to share with them the two sticks of gum he had in his possession. Seeing how thrilled they were by this gesture, he promised to drop more candy to them the next time he flew to the area. True to his word, as he flew in the next day, he wiggled the wings of his plane to identify himself, then dropped several small bundles of candy using parachutes crafted from handkerchiefs to slow their fall. Local newspapers picked up the story. Suddenly, letters addressed to "Uncle Wiggly Wings" began to arrive as the children requested candy drops in other areas of the city. Enthusiasm spread to America, and candy contributions came from all across the country. Within weeks candy manufacturers began donating candy by the boxcar. In May 1949, the highway blockade ended, and the airlift ended in September. But the story of Uncle Wiggly Wings and the candy-filled parachutes lives on-a symbol of human charity.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, World War II, Historical, Memoir, Adult

239 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2009

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a little biased, since the Candy Bomber is my grandfather. Never has his story gotten old. Reading this larger version of what happened at that barbed-wire fence those many years ago was a remarkable experience. I want to be better, do better, and live better because of this book.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

After seeing a segment on Gail Halvorsen on "Meet the Mormons," a movie about members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I was particularly interested in learning more about the Berlin Candy Bomber. I went to Amazon.com and found there were many books about this man. I decided to choose the one written by the man himself. I was not disappointed.

The first part of the book is necessary to set up the subsequent chapters. Although I found them a bit monotonous at first, after the story progressed, I could see why they were necessary.

The Berlin food drops were an aspect of WWII reconstruction that I had only heard a bit about. I am grateful to know more. I highly recommend this book to History Buffs.

[Jayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel bad giving this book only 2 stars because it is a good story and I'm glad I read it. however, it was very slow, especially the first half as the author, also The Berlin Candy Bomber, gave way too many details about flying, like his altitude and speed. For a non-pilot, that detracted from the story. I found myself often browsing certain parts to hear about the story.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. "Because of two sticks of gum...." This story of the "Berlin Candy Bomber", also known as "Uncle Wiggly Wings." Gail Halvorsen, is an interesting historical book. Halvorsen led a heroic life and his small decision to make a small impact on the life of some 30 Berlin children, blossomed into a huge impact on hundreds or thousands of Berlin children who had suffered greatly during World War II. His airlift drops of gum and candy to Berlin children in 1948-9 brought hope to children and adults alike. He started what became a movement and was supported by communities around the world.

Parts of the book moved a little slowly if you're not a pilot or familiar with the technical aspects of planes and war terminology. I found aspects of his life and experiences before and after his famed "Candy Bomber" years, were interesting, too. As he often mentions in the book, those "two sticks of gum" opened many doors and interesting career opportunities and life experiences.

Throughout his life, Halvorsen tried to make positive impacts on children and adults, even those who had been enemies of the United Stated during war times. He tried to share life lessons and hope with others.

[Julie Corbett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unbelievable true story written by an even more amazing individual! After a suggestion from a friend, I decided to read this book. I'm really glad I did. This is a part of history that I knew nothing about. What an amazing story about the true unselfish nature of service, giving to others, and loving one another. I especially loved Col. Halvorsen's insights regarding peace, freedom, and non-discrimination.
The only negative part is that this book gets a bit technical at times. As someone who has no war and military aircraft knowledge, I felt it bogged down with too many technical specifications at times. However, if this topic is something you love, then you're going to really love this book.
I definitely recommend this book. It's a quick read and I especially enjoyed all of the photos.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems like my eyes were watering at least half the time while reading this book. I could hardly put it down, and so finished it the day after starting it.

A biography of a remarkable generous man who started something that softened thousands of hearts.

The last paragraph of the 2017 paperback edition:
“ The powerful story of the Berlin Candy bomber continues to touch lives and teach the eternal principles of attitude, gratitude, service before self, and little decisions can have a profound impact in one’s road of life to children and adults all over the world today.” (Page 302)

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It has been our experience that when life is going along about the way you plan it, something is going to change. You hope the change is a positive one, neutral, or that despite the difficulty it will provide an opportunity to grow. How we react to it is the important thing." Words from Gail Halvorsen toward the near end of the book. This statement was made during his retirement years in reflection to an event when in 1995 he and his wife were summoned to teach in St. Petersburg Russia for an 18 month period of time. This statement (in my opinion) also reflects the greater good that Colonel Halvorsen accomplished as a young Lieutenant in 1948 who at the time made the conscience decision to "air drop" candy to kids. At the time he did so without authorization and at the risk of getting into trouble with his Superior Officers of the USAF. Good deeds at times have unintentional consequences - Gail Halvorsen completed this first "deed" without the expectation of ever gaining fame, fortune, notoriety, or any other thought of self reward of any shape or type.

This book is as important a book for the post war years of the Second World War as any that has been written. Based on the experiences of Col. Halvorsen we read in a retrospective style how the Berlin Candy Bombers gave hope to wars most helpless of victims. Who couldn't or can't see the value in this selfless act? Children have hopes and fears much different from adults - reading of how excited the children of West Berlin were (and for a small period of two weeks in 1948 we read of intentional drops by Col. Halvorsen to drop the same into the hands of children of East Berlin as well - that however had a forced stop by the USSR in official communications with the USA), and how these same children grew into adults with families of their own passing this Historical event of importance to their own children and now grandchildren.

Hope has no boundaries, requires no political affiliation, and only needs the assistance of a good person to make a better tomorrow. It was a complete pleasure to read this (personally autographed copy to myself - an honor to which I will hold and a book that I will cherish) wonderful book, this memoir to a selfless act of kindness for the many helpless victims who played no fault of any sort to the conclusion of the Second World War. This is not a book about politics or reasons of the Berlin Airlift - other authors have covered that topic in depth - this is a book about children.

Thank you Colonel Halvorsen - from one Marine to one outstanding USAF Officer "Semper Fidelis!"

[Barbara Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting to be totally captivated by this book. I knew the story of the Airlift & Colonel Halvorsen autographed a postcard for me in 2008. He wrote a marvelous page turner. His story about 2 sticks of gum and how that transformed his life and the lives of others is inspiring, touching, and compelling. The Berlin Airlift was the first great battle in the Cold War and Colonel Halvorsen had a front row seat. His humanity, kindness, and generosity of spirit, along with good old fashioned GI ingenuity, helped his start a mission of mercy that still resonates. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to see good triumph over power or learn about the Berlin Airlift! I loved this book.

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed the Michael O. Tunnel book better. I think that maybe I had read about so much of this already that it didn't quite have the impact on me that it would have if I didn't know anything about it. I found myself not really invested in the description of the actual flight technicalities or the lists of names throughout the story. I realize that Mr. Halvorsen wants to be thankful and recognize all of those people in his life, but I found myself glossing over those sections because I didn't know the people and I knew it wouldn't have that great of an impact on the whole book.

[Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift from my brother and sister in law for Christmas. It was a quick, easy read and tells of some interesting tidbits of history and an interesting life story. Not much of a story line, just a wandering through this veteran’s reminisces. Colonel Halvorsen retired to Spanish Fork, Utah, my hometown

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.

[Reading For Sanity · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://readingforsanity.blogspot.com/...

[Ariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story and some sections of the writing of this book deserve 5 stars. The general organization and certain sections of the writing deserve 3 stars. There were sections where I couldn’t put it down and others where I struggled a little to be connected. I think “the life of the candy bomber” or something would have been a better title because part of me was getting annoyed when it took forever to get to the Berlin candy bombing and when there were a lot of events afterwards that weren’t really connected. I think I would’ve had a better experience if I were expecting more of an autobiography instead of an autobiographical narration of the events in Berlin with a short epilogue of what happened afterwards in relation to it, but that was mostly a problem with my expectations, maybe not the book itself. There were also sections that got a little bogged down in details. However, the good moments more than make up for the unspectacular ones and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to increase their faith in humanity and remind themselves that even though countries may wage wars and groups may have conflict, we’re all the same underneath it all. and even in the hardest times, there will be those who bring hope and make a difference.

[Mrs. Hassig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read a paperback copy of this book that I purchased used from our wonderful local bookstore "Hedgehog, Ink." And when I bought the book and opened it - it was signed by Gail!!!!! Also, I'm so glad I read several reviews here on Goodreads. Many readers agreed that the first 50 pages were "pilot speak" and really boring! But once Gail got into the Chocolate air drops it was a 5-star book for sure! What an amazing and beautiful human being Gail Halverson was. He is an unsung hero at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes and rightly so! I loved his "Attitude of Gratitude!" He would start to judge and then realize that wasn't right and ended up loving all of the German children and German airport workers that he met. What a life he had and how fortunate we are that he was on our side and had a huge heart!

[Mike Vaughnwilliams · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times this book is a little cheesy but, I have to remind myself in our cynical era, it is a truly heart warming story from a time when people were much more likely, it seems, to support country and mission. Not all missions are the same though (i.e. Vietnam) and it is great to read about an actual life-saving mission the U.S. was engaged in. The Candy Bomber story is, to use a pun, like adding candy on top of a cake. What made it more cool is the book was written by Uncle Wiggly Wings himself. When we wonder these days why we are or should be close to a European ally, Germany -- who was a deadly foe at one time -- this story reminds us that the feelings are mutual and it was cemented by heroic actions decades ago that makes us safer in the world today. Well worth the read.

[Sharon Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved parts of this book. In the first part of the book there was so much information about altitudes and flying speeds which mean nothing to me. The heart of the relief effort and the love for the East Berlin children and breaking down prejudices was heartwarming. They provided coal, food and jobs for the Berliners. Years later they went on to help the people of Bosnia. It’s a great, inspiring story and we could learn a lot about overcoming prejudice. These pilots had helped with bombing Germany and felt hatred for their enemy. They met these people face to face , eye to eye and saw they weren’t any different than themselves. They saw the fear , starvation and their hearts.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sweet story of a Utah pilot that shared his 2 sticks of gum with 30 German children, then dropped his and his crew’s rationed chocolate out of their airlift plane, then continued on to drop thousands of chocolates and letters and gum to starving Berliners. It is a beautiful story of hope and love. I love the realization, that happens over and over, of how one person can change the world with courage and goodness. I feel like this book is a testament to how much goodness is in the world. I’m so glad I read it.

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Halvorsen was my grandfather's friend and I grew up hearing tales of the Berlin Candy Bomber. I really enjoyed learning more of the story, what took place before and after the candy drops. Who would have imagined that 2 sticks of gum could have changed so many lives?

At times this book became quite technical and bogged the story down for me because I know little about flying a plane. I really appreciated Mr. Halvorsen's personal thoughts on freedom, prejudice, and acting for good. Loved the pictures.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book to read, as I had never heard the full story about Gail Halvorsen. I enjoyed reading about how he started the candy dropping with parachutes, and how his act of kindness quickly snowballed. I feel like only one chapter of the book talked about this. The rest of the book was about his childhood, and other experiences of his life. He also talks a lot about different aircrafts (as he’s a pilot,) which was hard to follow and understand.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous first-person account of the Berlin Airlift, from one of the pilots -- my stake president.
The story of "two sticks of gum" has been inspirational to me. I strive to share it with the upcoming generation as they encounter life's challenges, and people in need; encouraging them to apply their talents to make the world a better place. "What kind of gum do you have?"
-Eric
aerospaceca.org

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of how they brought candy and other treats to the children of West Berlin during the Berlin Airlift of 1948/1949 was interesting. The method of telling it was not. The author's tour of duty during the airlift ends halfway through the book. The rest of it is his reception back home and then chapter upon chapter his life. I enjoyed the story, but not how it was presented.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inspiring story, but lacked focus. A good read, but the technical details about flying the aircraft and the name dropping interrupted and distracted from the story. Halvorson is a hero and it shows that a little kindness goes a long way. A completely clean read.

Content:
Sex/Nudity: none
Profanity/Language: none
Gore/Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: none

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning and the end were a little hard for me to get through. It was too technical for me. I loved the story of dropping candy to the children. I learned many things and was so inspired by the love and compassion shown to those recently seen as the enemy. I was so excited to learn that mission still go on where people are in need of food. A very inspiration story!!!!

[Andy Hiscox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly inspirational story of how humanity and love can overcome all obstacles. I salute Gail and all the brave men and women who despite overwhelming odds fed West Berlin through one of the darkest chapters of history. Freedom is never free, and brave people have to make sacrifices so others can live in freedom, this is such a story. I enjoyed it immensely.

[Angela R. Watts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. It showed the history quite clearly, and interestingly. My great-grandfather was in Germany, after the war, for the clean up... and he new about the 'Candy bomber'. So, reading the history of this, was cool!
I am not a Mormon, and strongly disagree with Mormonism. Since Halvorson was a Mormon, a few of the things he took a strong stance on, I don't see a problem with. Other than that, the story was well told!

[Jessica Peterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't want to take away from the sacrifice this man made, deciding to love and serve a former enemy. There were parts of the book which were very good, but most of it was a lot of flight jargon which I found very boring 😬

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could use some proofreading but otherwise an easy read and great story! I enjoyed all of the pictures because they helped in understanding. I learned a lot about the Berlin airlift and things that happened in Germany after the end of WWII that I never knew. Highly recommend for any age.

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring story and a look at the Berlin Airlift that I hadn't heard before. Halvorsen's enthusiasm and optimism are the highlight of this book for me.

[Angela Shaeffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The candy bombing story was so inspiring. It was also a love story to airplanes which I thought was sweet.

[Cathy Butler Teichert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read and we got creative in my book club during Covid and met by Zoom with the host of our book dropping "candy bombs" on each of our porches. :)