The date was December 24th, 1944-Christmas Eve. The 453rd Bomb Group was playing host to more than 1,250 British children who ranged in age from four to fourteen-many orphaned by the London Blitz. Someone had the idea of making toys for the children of Paris, children who had never experienced the joy and excitement of a child's Christmas. The idea spread very quickly between the officers and airmen; even the neighboring children began donating their own toys or made new ones. Wooden toys, rag dolls, and thousands of Christmas cards were given with cheerful abandon to the young French allies.
Three hundred children were chosen by The American Red Cross to receive gifts on Christmas Day at the ARC Club at Rainbow Corner in Paris. The Group received special permission to fly the gifts to Paris. An all French-speaking crew was chosen to ferry them over the Channel. T/Sgt Reuben Brockway was selected to portray Santa Claus, uniform and all, but without the traditional big belly!
A B-24 replaced the traditional sleigh and reindeer. Base personnel contributed PX rations for stocking stuffers for the small guests. The Aero was transformed with an eclectic array of Christmas decorations made from whatever was available.
Soon, children began to arrive in GI trucks where they were grouped according to age. Those four to seven were entertained at the Aero Club where they received their toy and candy filled stockings. Santa served them ice cream and coca-cola to their heart's content. Those seven to eleven went to the flight line and were shown through the planes. Then came the big show.
The procession walked to an area where a huge platform had been erected alongside one of the giant airships. It was the un-named B-24H that was to carry the gifts so cheerfully donated to their little French friends. An 11 year-old orphan of the Blitz, Judith McDavid, christened the ship "Liberty Run".
The "Liberty Run" was later shot down over Germany. I believeT/Sgt Brockway passed away a couple of years ago.
Has I recall to special crew for the flight to Paris were chosen
for their ability to speak French.
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