History
GalleryChildren dress up in costumes during a Halloween celebration in Germany, 1948
Stars and Stripes
October 31, 2024
Children — donned in their best Halloween costumes — are eager to pet “Clarence the Camel,” the mascot of the pilots of the 86th Fighter Group. (Martin/Stars and Stripes)
Children — donned in their best Halloween costumes — are eager to pet “Clarence the Camel,” the mascot of the pilots of the 86th Fighter Group and donate some of their candy to the children of Berlin, so that Clarence can ferry them to the blockaded city on his own C47 Operation Vittles flight.
The camel was bought in August 1948 in Libya by Lt. Donald Butterfield — seen here with Clarence. Clarence soon became a mascot for Operation Vittles — also known as the Berlin Airlift — as people would deposit gifts and candy for the Berlin children in the camel’s saddlebags during football games on the 86th Neubiberg Air Base, as well as other events across West German U.S. bases.
Raggedy Ann shoots a smile at the photographer as her and several other children — also dressed up in their Halloween best — stand before the costume contest judges. (Martin/Stars and Stripes)
Two ghosts, a milk maid, and a pirate get in line with other costumed children for the Halloween parade. (Martin/Stars and Stripes)
Children dressed up in their Halloween costumes hold hands as they form a parade during the Halloween celebration Oct. 30, 1948. (Martin/Stars and Stripes)
A tiny masked clown visits the concession stand to get some treats during the Halloween celebration Oct. 30, 1948 in Heidelberg. (Martin/Stars and Stripes)
A chef and what appears to be a pint-sized British King's Guard, on leave from Buckingham Palace pose for the photographer. (Martin/Stars and Stripes)