The Candy Bombers

Raisin Bombers (German Rosinenbomber) or (in English) "Candy Bombers" were humorous terms Berliners gave to the American and British transport aircraft which brought in supplies to the western half of the city of Berlin during the Berlin Blockade in 1948/1949. The name came from the fact that some pilots started voluntarily to throw sweets and candy (and, presumably, also raisins) on little parachutes out of the window to Berlin children lined up on the edges of the airfields watching the planes. These actions were first attributed to American pilot Gail Halvorsen and ordered expanded by Lt. General William H. Tunner into Operation Little Vittles. When this gesture became well known, it enjoyed considerable support with the US public. This support came in the form of large donations of candy from the confectionery industry while civilian volunteers made the parachutes for the delivery.