Visiting the Pope

At the end of April 1949, members of the 60 th Troop Carrier Wing der US Air Force who had served in Germany during the airlift embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome. Some of them were accompanied by their wives and local priests from the airports used in the airlift.

The high point of the trip was a personal audience with Pope Pius XII on 27 April 1949, who was even willing to join in a group photograph. It was an unforgettable visit for those who took part and a welcome change after their strenuous and hectic everyday duties while working on the airlift.