Voices of the Berlin Airlift -
Share Your Story
We’re gathering stories for a new book, Voices of the Airlift, and we’d love to hear yours. Whether you lived through it, heard it from a loved one, or served in uniform—your voice matters.
Voices of the Berlin Airlift
is a historical preservation project that includes a forthcoming book, an expanding archive of oral histories, and educational resources dedicated to the legacy of the Berlin Airlift, one of the most extraordinary logistical and humanitarian efforts of the 20th century.
From eyewitnesses and children in Berlin, to veterans, crew members, families, and historians who carry these stories forward—each voice is a vital piece of history.
Media Feature: Veterans Breakfast Club
What happens when history is told by the people who lived it? In this video, Bibi shares the story behind Voices of the Berlin Airlift and why preserving these memories matters now more than ever. Watch to discover how one extraordinary moment in history is being kept alive: voice by voice.
A Pair of Baby Shoes - A Symbol of Hope
American C.A.R.E packages delivered hope to German refugees. In this heartfelt story, Norbert Kandzorra recalls receiving his first baby shoes—sent from the USA during the Berlin Airlift. More than just shoes, they became a lasting symbol of generosity and resilience, connecting one life to a moment in history.
Who Can Contribute
No memory is too small. A single moment, a vivid image, or a story passed down through generations can help bring this history to life.
Sample Story: A Glimpse
Inside Voices of the Berlin Airlift
How To Share Your Story
You can participate in the way that works best for you:
Schedule a Zoom or phone interview
Submit your story in writing
Receive a list of questions to respond to by email
Words That Carried Us
Real words, remembered moments — a collection of quotes drawn from speeches, memoirs, and oral histories that bring the experience of the Airlift to life.
Why This Matters
This historic preservation project is not just about looking back.
It is about the people behind the Berlin Airlift: their courage, humanity, and the trust that grew between former enemies. By preserving and sharing these stories, we keep them alive for future generations and remind them what is possible when people stand together in a time of need.
About the Author
Bibi LeBlanc grew up in West Berlin, a city whose history was profoundly shaped by the Berlin Airlift and the Cold War. Fascinated by the people and stories behind this extraordinary humanitarian effort, she has dedicated years to researching, documenting, and sharing its legacy.
Her award-winning Wings of Freedom books introduced the story of the Airlift to new audiences, and the Voices of the Airlift project expands this work by collecting firsthand memories from those connected to the events of 1948–49. Through these voices, Bibi seeks to preserve the human dimension of the Airlift and explore what we can still learn from it today.
Wings of Freedom
A Tribute to the Berlin Airlift
Step into the incredible story of the Berlin Airlift, a mission that defied the odds and changed history.
Wings of Freedom brings this heroic saga to life in two unique ways.
