'Manna from heaven' & Operation Chowhound

Today some of you may be enjoying groceries delivered to your home, or fast food brought directly to your front door by one of the many food delivery services available. But did you know that during World War II there was a massive amount of food delivered to Holland?

But it wasn't all delivered in the ways might think, rather it was sometimes literally dropped on homes. 

Avro Lancaster dropping 'manna' over Ypenburg Spring 1945

Operation Manna and Operation Chowhound were two military relief operations during April and May 1945. 

The Target: the major urban centers of Holland. 

The Purpose: Provide food and medical supplies. 

The result: Success.

On April 28 1945 German delegates met Allied representatives and established safe drop zones for food and supplies to be airdropped. The next day, the skies over Holland were a roar of Avro Lancasters and B-17's, dropping 500 tons in four separate drop zones. No aircraft were lost, even though the flak batteries were manned, no shots were fired. Over the next nine days another 7000 tons of food and supplies were dropped. This and many drops like it were part of what was called Operation Manna, in concert with American initiatives under the name Operation Chowhound.

In this video segment of "Voices From the Past" John Oke recounts his participation in Operation Manna.

'Manna Baskets' used to gather Food and Supplies 1945
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Archives Philip Gray Collection

F/Sgt Philip Gray
(Top) Gray next to Hawker Tempest
(Left) AC Philip Gray
(Right) F/Sgt Philip Gray poses for photograph with aircrew
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Archives Philip Gray Collection

F/Sgt Philip Gray and his crew in 186 Squadron flew a number of Sorties for Operation Manna.

Log Book Entry:
Date: 7 May 1945 - No. 18 Sortie - The Hague (Holland) Supply dropping - 7000lbs (Operation "Manna").
You can see what this would look like in a flight log entry from Mr. Tidridge's Grandpa Stan's logbook.

The aircrew of bomber aircraft were used to dropping their various payloads from high altitudes. In order to not damage the food dropped during the relief missions of April and May, pilots had to fly much lower.

The Manna drops were an inspiration to the beleaguered Dutch people, who had endured years of occupation and starvation. Arie de Jong described her feelings in witnessing the Manna drops:

"There are no words to describe the emotions experienced on that Sunday afternoon. More than 300 four-engined Lancasters, flying exceptionally low ... Everywhere we looked, bombers could be seen. No one remained inside and everybody dared to wave cloths and flags. What a feast! Everyone is excited with joy. The war must be over soon now." 

The drops inspired artists creations as well, including this pencil sketch by Dutch artist Van der Weg.

Operation Manna / Van der Weg / 1945 / Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Archives Collection