The Berlin Air Lift: Berlin Children--The Schools

Figure 1.--Here we see German children on their way to school during the Berlin Air Lift. The photograph is not dated, but we would guess it was taken during January or February 1949. They are dressed warmly, nt only because of the walk to school, but because their school probably had not heat in the classrooms. Notice the lunch pails. There school probably had a feeding program. The kunch pails wre either to supplement the food at schools or to bring some home. The caption does not tell us much, "Carrying their lunch pails, children in the American sector leaving for school." Notice the 'Brot' (bread) window that seems to be bared.

We are not sure what happened with he schools in West Berlin during the Airlift. We believe they stayed open, but have been able to find little information about the schools. The Allies sought to get the schools started as soon as possible after the War. In many areas of Germany the only majpr problem was finding non-NAZI teachers. In the cities the other major problem was the massive destruction resulting from the Allied strategic bombing campaign. Cities in the East were destroyed because the Germans created fotress cities and defended them tenaciously fom the advancing Red Army. This was not the case in the West, especially after the Allies crossed the Rhine. There were no major fights for the cities. Th German peopl were just happy that the War was over and it was the Allies and not the Soviets that had entered their city. Many cities had, however, been damaged by the strategic bombing campaign. And this included school of all types. Schools of course were not the targets, but given World War II technology, entire cities were essenially leveled. Many schools were destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Ohers wre damaged, but able to be used on a temporary basis. We believe hat as soon as facilities could be sorted out that feeding programs were initiated. In the difficult conditions after the War, very little construction or major repairs were conducted. The school situation was especially difficult in Berlin because it had neen so heavily bombed by the Allies and further wrecked by the climatic fierce battle for the city in the final weels of the War (April 1945). As many schools did not have operaing heating systems. Operations during the winter were especially difficult. Many schools at first operated on a partial day basis, but by 1948 the schools were conducting longer sessions even in Berlin. A German reader tells us, "Yes, you describe the situation very well. I cannot say anything specal to your picture, only my school experience in Stuttgart, 10 years old, American sector: The roof and upper floors of the 4-story gymnasium building were damaged, not heavy, but were damaged. No heating. The school started in November 1945 with four classes, 2 sexta, quinta, tertia in the ground floor. We had to bring wood for a fire in a small oven in the room. "Schülerspeisung" (student meals),food for the pupils in the great break, sponsored by the American care system."

Created: 4:46 AM 1/7/2018
Last updated: 2:30 PM 1/7/2018