“Operation Vittles” Cookbook

Berlin 1949

At the end of World War II in Europe, Berlin had been divided in half: a Soviet sector occupied the east; and American, British, and French sectors occupied the west. After Soviet forces blockaded West Berlin roads, the United States and its allies executed “Operation Vittles,” also known as the Berlin Airlift. Cargo planes delivered 2.3 million tons of food and supplies to West Berlin. The recipes in this “Operation Vittles” cookbook, compiled in January 1949 by the “American Women in Blockaded Berlin”—including Foreign Service Officers and their wives—were created to utilize the limited variety of foodstuffs at their disposal through this period.

  • Source/Credit: Gift of Prudence Bushnell
  • Catalog Number: 2017.0005.01
  • Created: 1949
  • Acquired: 2017

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"Operation Vittles" Cookbook. 1949. National Museum of American Diplomacy, https://diplomacy.state.gov/items/operation-vittles-cookbook

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"Operation Vittles" Cookbook, 1949, National Museum of American Diplomacy, Washington, DC, https://diplomacy.state.gov/items/operation-vittles-cookbook

APA Format

(1949). "Operation Vittles" Cookbook [Object]. National Museum of American Diplomacy, Washington, D.C., United States. https://diplomacy.state.gov/items/operation-vittles-cookbook