Figure 1.-- Soviet forces seized Tempelhof in the Battle of Berlin (April 1945). The Soviets then handed it over to the U.S. 2d Armored Division (July 1945). When the Soviets cut road and rail links, the Allies began flying in supplies through Templehoff. Plans were rushed forward to build a second airport at Tegel. |
Tempelhof as it was located in Belin was Germany's most important air port. It was a karge open area used by the army for a paradefielld beginning in the 18th century. Because it was a large field in Berlin early aviarors used it to land (Frenchman Armand Zipfel and Orville Wright in 1909).
Tempelhof was designated an airport after World War I (1923). Lufthansa was founded at Tempelhof (1926). Politicians and celebrities flews in and out of Templehof during the 1930s. Major facilities were built as part of Albert Speer's master plan to rebuild Berlin. It was one of the most admired airports in the world. Facilities for building Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka" dive bombers and later Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighter planes during the WAr. Soviet forces seized Tempelhof in the Battle of Berlin (April 1945). The Soviets then handed it over to the U.S. 2d Armored Division (July 1945).
When the Soviets cut road and rail links, the Allies began flying in supplies through Templehoff. Plans were rushed forward to build a second airport at Tegel. The Americans oversaw the Construction operations at Tegel. The Berliners provided the labor. Women were an important part of the work force. Conditions were still very difficult in 1948-49 and women were quite willing to do construction work. About 40 percent of the 19,000 civilian workers were women. These were the "rubble-women" who had first been used to clear out the rubble resulting from the War. The Allied bombing had turned Berlin into a vast ruin and the the Soviet invasion had done even more damage. Thus women had been employed to clean up the city. It was women in part because the Germans had employed all men of military age (as wll as boys and older men) in the defense of the city. Many were killed and those not killed were made POWs. The workers were paid DM 1.20 per hour, plus a decent meal every shift.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to Main Air Lift page]
[Return to Main Berlin Air Lift page]
[Return to Main Cold War page]
[Return to Main Communism page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Satellite sites]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]