One WWII pilot's mission to lift the spirits of children living in
war-torn Berlin in 1945 comes to life in this moving middle-grade
historical account. After World War II the United States and Britain
airlifted food and supplies into Russian-blockaded West Berlin. US Air
Force Lieutenant Gail S. Halvorsen knew the children of the city were
suffering. To bring a bit of hope, he began dropping chocolate and
chewing gum by parachute.
What began as a one-time gesture of compassion turned into an official
U.S. Air Force operation. "Operation Little Vittles" grew, as more and
more pilots volunteered to drop the parachutes, and donations of candy
and cloth poured in from all over. This inspiring story of one man's
contribution to the rebuilding of a country after war is a unique look
at history.
Illustrated with archival photographs, personal photographs from Lt.
Gail Halvorsen--the Chocolate Pilot--letters, and documents, Candy
Bomber is an important and interesting addition to studies of World War
II.