BERLIN, GERMANY 70Th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift

Home , Allied Museum, Berlin Tegel Airport

BERLIN, GERMANY 70th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift

PROVISIONAL ITINERARY & GENERAL INFORMATION Wednesday, 12th – Monday, 17th June, 2019

Undoubtedly the main attraction of this tour is the coming together of the largest number of DC-3s/C-47s since World War Two! We will see them on the ground and in the air.

As of 10th April the organisers of the event are expecting 40 aircraft flying to Berlin to participate, mainly DC-3s from all over the world, but also 2 DC-4s from South Africa! See details on their website: https://foerderverein-luftbruecke-berlin-70.de/ Incredible! Can you afford to miss it?

Plans currently being finalised include a static display of the aircraft at Tegel Airport and a mass flypast over the city including the Brandenburg Gate and Tempelhof – one of the Airlift airfields – and we will be at the latter!

We also visit:

 Tempelhof Airport: we have a guided tour of the US Air Force’s Berlin Airlift airbase  Gatow (pictured left): ex-Luftwaffe and RAF station; the latter’s airfield in the Airlift and now home of the huge Luftwaffe Museum  Zossen/Wünsdorf: Hitler’s vast complex of underground operations and control bunkers – last used in the Cold War by the Soviets  Alliierten Museum: presents the history of the Berlin Airlift and the Cold War division of the city

There is free time in Berlin to enjoy as you wish: a popular option is to travel around on the ‘hop on, hop off’ tour buses. Take time away from the itinerary and go along to Tegel and/or Schoenfeld airports!

Admission is included to all the stated museums.

The tour price is based on flying from London’s Gatwick Airport on the scheduled services of easyJet to/from Berlin’s Tegel Airport; there are also direct flights with easyJet and other airlines to Tegel or Schoenfeld Airport from various UK regional airports.

We travel around Berlin in a deluxe, air-conditioned coach; stay in a 3-star hotel on a bed and breakfast basis; and are accompanied at all times by one of our well-travelled and experienced Tour Managers.

Whether you are an aviation enthusiast, or a non-aviation person planning to enjoy your time sightseeing, shopping and relaxing, this tour is excellent value for money.

PROVISIONAL ITINERARY (all times local)

DAY 1: WEDNESDAY, 12th JUNE Between 11:00 and 11:20 please meet your Ian Allan Tour Manager and fellow enthusiasts at London’s Gatwick Airport, North Terminal, as they congregate in the check-in/bag-drop area. If you have not already checked in on-line then we recommend you do so no later than 90 minutes prior to departure, i.e. 11:20.

 London Gatwick Airport, North Terminal Flight: EZY 8123 Departs: 12:50  Berlin Tegel Airport Arrives: 15:55

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Ian Allan Aviation Tours Terminal House, Shepperton, Middlesex, TW17 8AS, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)1932 255625 Fax: +44 (0)1932 231942 e-mail: [email protected] www.ianallantravel.com/aviationtours

On arrival at Tegel Airport, after passing through the usual arrival procedures we meet our driver, board the coach and transfer to the Berlin Mark Hotel which is located in a quiet side street just 250 yards from the lively and famous Berlin Kurfurstendam or Ku-damm. There is an on-site breakfast room and bar; wi- fi is free. Along the street there are a number of very good restaurants, with many more on the Ku-dam and immediate area. We stay 5 nights on a bed and breakfast basis. Website: www.berlinmarkhotels.com/en

DAY 2: THURSDAY, 13th JUNE Departing the hotel at 07:30 we drive 1 hour to Zossen to a little known area which played a vital part in World War Two: Hitler’s wartime command and control headquarters: Maybach I and II were a large number of above and underground bunkers built 20 kilometres south of Berlin in Wünsdorf (near Zossen) to house the High Command of the Army (in Maybach I) and the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces (in Maybach II) during the Second World War.

Pictured left is one of the entrances to a bunker; they were made to look like a normal house to deceive spying eyes from the sky!

The two Maybach bunkers were largely destroyed by the Soviet Armed Forces (GSSD) in late 1946 in accordance with the four-power agreement on the occupation of Germany, although some buildings survived including the almost entirely intact and separate communications bunker “Zeppelin”.

“Zeppelin” was to play a considerable and vitally important part in the Russian war machine during the Soviet Cold War era. Further bunkers were subsequently added to house the central command and communications functions of the Soviet army in East Germany (the GDR).

We will have a guided tour – in English - of both the German and Soviet bunkers.

We spend the rest of the day at the ex-Luftwaffe (and RAF) airfield of Gatow, looking around one of the best aviation museums in Europe (if not the world!): the excellent Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr-Flugplatz Berlin- Gatow and its huge number of aircraft – 214 at the last count! Plus 66 air defence missile and radar systems.

The Museum focuses mainly on the history of the post-war German Air Force and has a fabulous collection of more than 600,000 items, including 5,000 uniforms, 30,000 books and documents, art, personal estates, training materials and a great deal more. Not surprisingly, not all are on public display!

Uniquely, there is at least one aircraft of every type ever to serve in the air forces of both East and West Germany!

There are also displays on the history of the airfield when it was used by the RAF – including the famous ‘intelligence-gathering’ DHC Chipmunk from the Station Flight, which is now on display after being moved from the Alliierten Museum (the secret camera panel is visible).

DAY 3: FRIDAY, 14th JUNE A free day in Berlin to enjoy at your leisure. A favourite for tourists is to purchase a ticket for one of the several ‘hop on, hop off’ sightseeing coach trips.

DAY 4: SATURDAY, 15th JUNE We have confirmation of a 2-hour guided tour of Tempelhof airfield, starting at 09:30 - one of the most spectacular buildings in Europe. It was the airfield used by the US Air Force in the Berlin Airlift.

A landmark of the Third Reich, Tempelhof Airport’s main building is a historically protected landmark and a symbol of the eventful history of Berlin itself. On the one hand, it is an expression of Nazi ideology and served in World War II as a weapons production site using forced labour; on the other hand, Tempelhof is also a symbol of freedom, and the Airlift of 1948/49 made the airport famous throughout the world.

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During the division of the city in the Cold War the airport was the gateway to freedom for many Berliners. Time also to buy any souvenirs you may wish from their shop.

Lunch, at your own expense, can be taken at any of the restaurants and cafes in the area.

Access to Tempelhof airfield this afternoon is free of charge and a large crowd is expected. The flypast by participating DC-3s, DC-4s et al is currently scheduled to take place between 16:30 – 17:00, therefore, we think it best to go on to the airfield as soon as the gates open.

We return to the hotel either in our chartered coach or by travelling on Berlin’s excellent transport system of trams, buses, overland suburban trains and underground trains. We will discuss our options with the coach company nearer the time taking into account the huge numbers attending the event.

DAY 5: SUNDAY, 16th JUNE We await confirmation of where the aircraft will be on display to the general public. At the moment it is anticipated that it will be at Tegel Airport, either on the military ramp on the far side of the 2 runways, or the engineering area west of the passenger terminal.

The Berlin Blockade (24th June 1948–12th May 1949) was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War. During the multi-national occupation of post–World War II Germany, the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway, road, and canal access to the sectors of Berlin under Western control. The Soviets offered to drop the blockade if the Western Allies withdrew the newly introduced Deutsche Mark from West Berlin.

In response, the Western Allies organized what became known as the Berlin Airlift (26th June 1948 – 30th September 1949), to carry supplies to the people of West Berlin, a difficult feat given the size of the city's population.

Aircrews from the United States Air Force, the Royal Air Force, the French Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and the South African Air Force flew over 200,000 flights in one year, providing to the West Berliners up to 8,893 tons of necessities each day, such as fuel and food.

The Soviets did not disrupt the airlift for fear this might lead to open conflict, and by the spring of 1949 the airlift was clearly succeeding; by April it was delivering more cargo than had previously been transported into the city by rail. Suddenly, on the 12th May 1949, the USSR lifted the blockade. The Berlin Blockade served to highlight the then competing ideological and economic visions for post-war Europe.

We will also visit today the Alliierten Museum which covers the Berlin Airlift, the dividing of Berlin into East and West and the Cold War years. The Museum’s exhibits include part of the tunnel dug to wire-tap the Soviet telephone system; the French military train; the guardhouse from Checkpoint Charlie; and an RAF Handley Page Hastings T.5 (pictured left). We understand that the Vickers Varsity is now in store on Tegel Airport. Since the closure of Tempelhof Airport in 2008, the Allied Museum has been trying, without much success to date, to relocate to the old airport at some point. Website: www.alliiertenmuseum.de/en/0.php

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DAY 6: MONDAY, 17th JUNE The morning is free. Or you can transfer to Tegel Airport at a time of your own choosing and expense.

Those transferring with the Tour Manager will depart the hotel at 14:00 (luggage can be placed in the hotel’s storage room in the morning after checkout), and check in with easyJet – if not already done on- line – or go to bag-drop, around 14:15.

 Berlin Tegel Airport Flight: EZY 8124 Departs: 16:25  London Gatwick Airport, North Terminal Arrives: 17:25

TOUR PRICE PER TOUR: 227944 PERSON 70th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift

From £ 689.00 Package price based on sharing a twin bedded room on a bed and breakfast basis

From: £140.00 Single room supplement

On request Land-only (NO flights) PLEASE SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR CONSULTANTS BEFORE BOOKING

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

 Return flights on the scheduled services of easyJet from London’s Gatwick Airport as stated including all taxes and security charges  All transfers and travel in deluxe, air-conditioned coaches  5 nights’ accommodation in rooms with private facilities  Continental breakfast each morning  Admission to all museums and collections as stated  Services of an Ian Allan Tour Manager  Coach driver’s gratuity

NOT INCLUDED

 Meals, other than those stated  Any unforeseen, additional charges for taking photographs and/or video  Travel Insurance  Personal expenditure, for example, telephone calls, laundry, drinks, etc.  Admission to any additional museums other than those stated in the itinerary  Tips and gratuities (other than for the coach driver)

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Payment for Ian Allan Aviation Tours Full payment should accompany your Booking Form, with any cheque being made payable to “Ian Allan Aviation Tours”.

FCO Consular Advice The FCO's consular service is a major operation. Every hour of every day consular staff around the world are advising and helping British nationals. We suggest you visit www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo for up- to-date passport, visa and security information on the destination you intend visiting.

In addition, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) provides both a web site http://abta.com/go- travel and an Information Line, telephone: 020 3117 0599. This line is open between the hours 10:00 – 16:00, Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays).

Passports and Visas A visa is not required for entry into Germany by British/EU nationals. However, you must take your passport with you – NOT an I.D. card. Other nationals are advised to check the requirements.

Coach Travel Ian Allan Aviation Tours only use coaches chartered from reputable companies, with a driver. Where we have had to cancel a tour, due to the small number of bookings, we have looked at the possibility of renting a 16-18 seater mini-van, with our tour manager driving. However, without exception, the hiring of such a vehicle is illegal if any of the occupants make any payment towards the rental price, fuel and/or other expenses - known as “for hire or reward”. Any such rental, made without these facts being made known to the rental company at the time of booking, also invalidates all insurance covering the vehicle, contents and persons. The DVLA has also confirmed that any “for hire or reward” rental could breach the normal driving classification of a standard U.K. driver’s license. Therefore, we do not undertake any tours using 9-18 seater mini-vans from a rental company; either with our tour manager, or a member of the group, driving.

Baggage Regulations – easyJet – Departing from London’s Gatwick Airport Hold Baggage: your ticket includes one piece of hold luggage with a maximum total size under 275cms (length + width + height) and weighing no more than 15kgs.

Cabin Baggage: each passenger is allowed only one piece of hand baggage in the cabin measuring 56 x 45 x 25 cm including the wheels and any handles. There is no weight limit on cabin baggage.

Limited quantities of liquids (individual containers must not exceed 100ml or 3.5 fl oz), are now allowed as hand baggage but must be carried separately through security in a clear plastic, zip-top or re-sealable bag that does not exceed 20cm x 20cm (8 inches x 8 inches), or quart size. Items must fit in the bag comfortably and the bag must be completely closed. Hand baggage can contain shampoo, suntan lotions, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and hair spray, perfumes, cosmetics such as mascara and lip gloss, water and other drinks, soups and syrups and other items of a similar consistency. Also prescription medicines in liquid form, e.g. diabetic kit.

Cigarette lighters are NOT permitted in hold baggage or through the security search. These may be purchased airside.

Hand baggage can also include electronic equipment including mobile phones, digital cameras and MP3 players (such as i-Pods). Laptops must be removed from the bag for x-ray.

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At security all remaining items should be placed in the tray provided for screening, e.g. car keys and fobs, cash, solid food, books, newspapers, cigarettes and tobacco, belts and shoes. Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. All wheelchairs will be subject to search. Please note: you may be subject to a hand search by the security team and required to remove footwear to be x-ray screened.

Once in the departure lounge passengers may purchase certain items in any shop and take it onto the aircraft as normal. Passengers may be subject to a secondary search at the departure gate before boarding. Any items not on the approved list will be removed.

Baggage Weight Restrictions – UK Airports Since 1st June 2004, any single piece of checked baggage weighing more than 70lbs (32kgs) has not been accepted at check-in by any airline operating from London’s Heathrow Airport. The BAA may introduce this limit at their other airports in the UK (and so might non-BAA airports), in an attempt to reduce manual handling injuries amongst airport staff. Please bear this in mind when packing.

Health Requirements There are no known compulsory health requirements for visiting Germany. For the latest information we recommend you consult your doctor or local health centre.

Meals Continental breakfast only is included in this tour as stated.

Photography Photography is allowed at all the aviation museums we are visiting. At the time of preparing this itinerary we are not aware of any such additional charges for taking photographs or video. Any that subsequently arise are payable on the day by each person.

Climate and Dress June should be warm and dry – unlike June 1944! - with temperatures around the low-mid 70⁰sF during the day and cooler in the evening. We therefore recommend you take items of summer clothing, including a jacket. Even better – check out the 5-day on-line weather forecast at the beginning of June and pack accordingly!

Travel Insurance For citizens of the United Kingdom, Ian Allan Travel Ltd can provide competitive and comprehensive insurance cover for the duration of your tour. However, if you do not wish to take out our insurance, you must ensure that comparable or greater cover is taken. The number of your Insurance Policy should be written, if known, on your Booking Form at the time of making the reservation, but no later than the date when final payment is due. A copy of the policy must be forwarded to Ian Allan Travel Ltd.

Individual insurance policies are arranged through CoverMore Insurance Services Limited; the premiums for which will vary according to your circumstances. Full details are available on request.

Wheelchair Assistance at Airports. Anyone requiring wheelchair assistance at airports must have this service requested and confirmed in advance. Airlines and/or airports can no longer provide this service without prior confirmation, therefore, please annotate your booking form accordingly.

Flexible Itinerary We are very happy for enthusiasts to take time away from the printed itinerary to pursue their own interests, so long as they inform the Tour Manager. It will be the individual’s responsibility to ensure that they re-join the group in the hotel at the stated time on the day of departure.

Please note: it is not possible to refund the cost of the coach nor admission tickets if you decide not to join the group on any day(s).

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Land Only Price For enthusiasts who would prefer to join the tour at the hotel instead of flying from the UK with the main group, we will be pleased to provide a ‘Land Only’ price. This price does not include any flights whatsoever and you are strongly advised to contact us before making your own flight arrangements in the event that there has been a change to the published itinerary.

Please note that the ‘Land Only’ price is based on you meeting and leaving the tour at the hotel as stated above; no transfers to and from the hotel are included.

Flight Timings & Connecting Travel Arrangements to Departure Airport All flight departure and arrival times are correct at the time of preparing each itinerary; however, airlines may change these times with little or no prior warning. In practice such changes are only a few minutes either way and the final itinerary will show the actual times. Clients making their own arrangements to get to the departure airport by air, rail, coach etc., should bare the above in mind if purchasing non- refundable or non-changeable tickets. Ian Allan Travel cannot be held responsible for any changes to flight times and any privately arranged travel tickets to the airport becoming invalid.

Pre-departure For connecting flights from UK regional airports - please call Ian Allan Travel on 01932 255625 for the latest special offers available.

Airport Hotel and/or Car Parking - we can offer special rates for the above at most UK airports, please ask for details.

Pleasure Flights – Disclaimer Should you decide to undertake any pleasure/sightseeing flights which have not been offered or sanctioned by us, Ian Allan Travel Ltd will not be held liable for any injuries or death resulting thereon.

Tours Affected by World Events or Unforeseen/Unplanned Circumstances In an ever-changing world, events may occur immediately before or during a tour that result in cancellations or changes to the tour itinerary. For example, an increase in security may result in an approved visit being cancelled by the host, etc.. Ian Allan Travel Ltd cannot be held responsible for any tour being cancelled, or itineraries affected, due to world events or circumstances beyond our control.

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