A lecture marking the 70th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift which involved the Burtonwood airbase is set to take place in Warrington on March 26.
It will be given by Burtonwood Association founder and honorary lifetime president Aldon Ferguson (pictured) at the Gulliver’s Hotel, next to the association’s heritage centre.
Aldon said: “The subject is the Berlin Airlift as this year is the 70th anniversary of the Soviets blocking all road, rail, river and canal access to the city, totally besieging it and trying to force the British, American and French forces out.
“Fortunately the air routes were kept open and the three Allies decided to provide everything for the city by air. This was very difficult so long ago as there were no purpose-built transport aircraft and the world was recovering from all out war. A massive operation, known as the Berlin Airlift, was started and everything from coal, flour, newsprint, food, fuel, clothing etc had to be flown in. Massive building projects were necessary at the airports and a new one had to be built. Aircraft of this period had to be regularly maintained and all the American aircraft forming part of the Lift were serviced at Burtonwood.
“Burtonwood was only just being re-opened by the Americans after WWII and immediately had to go into overdrive working 24 hours a day 7 days a week and eventually servicing over 1,500 aircraft in a little over a year. Without Burtonwood it could not have happened!”
The talk is free to members of the Association but there is a charge of £5.00 per person for non members.
To make reservations please e-mail [email protected] or by writing to 18 Ridgeway Wargrave, Reading, RG10 8AS with a cheque for £5.00 per person
The talk starts at 7.00 pm on Monday 26 March and will finish by 10.30 pm. There will be a break at approximately 8.30. Car parking is free and the hotel facilities are available for drinks etc.
Previous lectures have sold out and seats will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
