American Experience

The Chocolate Pilot

Chicopee -- "Operation Little Vittles" capitol of the U.S.
By Ed Jasiewicz, Chicopee Herald October 26, 1989

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Each of the 22 schools in Chicopee set time aside for sewing the handkerchiefs into miniature parachutes. Each student was required to donate one day per week making candychutes.

Operation Little Vittles made such a positive impact in defeating the purpose of the Berlin blockade, that the Russian government filed an angry protest with the State Dept. with claims that Operation Little Vittles "violated their propaganda agreement."

When the Berlin blockade was finally lifted, some 100,000 parachutes -- laden with candy -- were made at the former fire station which was located a short distance from Elms College. In all, approximately 18 tons (26,000 lbs.) of candy were airlifted from Chicopee to the needy children in the western sector of Berlin, Germany. The official climax of the Operation Little Vittles project culminated in one final simultaneous drop on 10 major cities in Germany on October 31 to coincide with Halloween

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