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John-Perkins

A veteran interview with

John Perkins

On the Berlin Airlift John Perkins worked in security at the Gatow Airfield. He was then sent to Fassberg where he was attached to the Americans.

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About John Perkins

Stationed at the Gatow Airbase, John Perkins worked in security during the Berlin Airlift, as part of the RAF’s 2777 Armoured Car Squadron.

With Gatow bordering the Russian Zone, John’s main responsibility was to keep Russian troops away from the airfield, a role which proved difficult, since the British Garrison was vastly outnumbered.

Here, he describes how Russian troops would purposely start up their tanks each evening as a form of intimidation, and make efforts to disrupt flying. Goods like cement bags were thieved, and attempts were made to block the runway, making it difficult for incoming and outgoing planes. Although John’s regiment used their own tactics, like the deliberate spreading of misinformation, the threat from the other side felt very real.

Following Gatow, John was moved to Fassberg Airport, where he became attached to the Americans. Getting to enjoy some leisure time, he recalls one memorable Christmas show with Bob Hope and Irving Berlin, as well as trips to a nightclub in Spandau – also home to the notorious prison. 

While playing football off-duty, John acquired damage to his knee and right leg, and was kept overnight in hospital. Despite scepticism from a less-than-sympathetic RAF sergeant, he remembers the German nurse who mended his injury, by “whacking” his leg back into place again.

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Reviewed by:
Toby Boddy
Transcribed by:
Gillian Cousins

Transcripts:
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If you would like a version of the transcript that has been transcribed manually by Gillian Cousins, please complete this form or email info@legasee.org.uk.

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Home | Veterans | John Perkins

A veteran interview with

John Perkins

John-Perkins

On the Berlin Airlift John Perkins worked in security at the Gatow Airfield. He was then sent to Fassberg where he was attached to the Americans.

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Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Perkins, John. A Veteran Interview with John Perkins. Interview by Unknown. Legasee, 1 Feb. 2013 https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-perkins/. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.
APA Style:
Perkins, J. (2013, February 1). A Veteran Interview with John Perkins [Interview by Unknown]. Legasee. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-perkins/
Chicago Style:
Perkins, John. 2013. A Veteran Interview with John Perkins. Interview by Unknown. Legasee, February 1. Accessed September 10, 2026. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-perkins/
Harvard Style:
Perkins, J. (2013). A Veteran Interview with John Perkins. [Interviewed by Unknown]. Legasee, 1 February. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-perkins/ (Accessed: 10 September 2026)
Vancouver Style:
Perkins, J. A Veteran Interview with John Perkins [Internet]. Interview by Unknown. Legasee; 2013 Feb 1 [cited 2026 Sep 10]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-perkins/
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