A city shut off from the outside world left citizens desperate. Heroes stepped in to help and the Berlin Airlift was born.
After World War II, Germany was divided between the Allied Powers and the Soviet Union.
In an attempt to strangle the Allied Power's control over West Berlin, the Soviets blockaded western supply lines, leaving citizens helpless.
Great Britain, France and the United States stepped in to help, airlifting supplies into West Berlin every day from 1948 - 1949.
Auburn graduate and long-time resident, Johnie Crance, flew non-stop flights to provide West Berlin with supplies.
Crance served as an Air Force flight engineer from 1946-1949 and 1950-1951 and completed 190 missions during the airlift.
People like Crance made the Berlin Airlift one of the largest humanitarian aide efforts in history.
At its peak, the airlift dropped 13,000 tons of goods per day. According to the AlabamaGermany Partnership, these goods ranged from "coal to provide energy to chocolates for children."
"We would haul 10 tons of coal from Celle (Germany) into Berlin, maybe two, three trips a day some days," Crance said.
Veterans like Crance were honored Friday at a reception celebrating the opening of the 60th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift Exhibit in Birmingham.
"I feel honored to be invited," Crance said.
Auburn mayor Dick Phelan and Auburn city officials attended the event.
"I am pleased to be part of the celebration of such a historic and monumental occasion," Phelan said. "The Berlin Airlift was the beginning of an outstanding 60-year partnership between the United States and Germany that continues today."
The Berlin Airlift surpassed expectations.
"No one thought an airlift campaign could be so successful," said Air Force Col. James Tattini. "It gave the Air Force a lot of confidence in their abilities and was a real victory in the Cold War era."
The Airlift also had a profound impact on German citizens.
"The German people are still grateful for what happened, and they express that in many ways," Crance said. "Every time we meet they have some kind of plaque."
The exhibit features thank you letters from German children to the American pilots, as well as aircrafts used in the airlift.
The exhibit will be on display at the Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham Feb. 27 to March 14, Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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