History of the First World War in 100 Moments: Britons forced to tighten their belts as rationing is imposed

by Guest Tue Jun 24, 2014 9:41 am

On New Year’s Eve 1917, the British government did something it had never done before. It told the British people, by law, how much food they could – and could not – eat.

The rationing applied only to sugar – 8oz per person, per week. By April, however, meat had joined the list of controlled foods, limiting everyone to 15oz of butchers’ cuts and 5oz of bacon per week. By July, butter, margarine, lard and tea were restricted. The war, nearly four years old and with no end in sight, had crept into Britain’s kitchens.
That the government was prepared to take such a drastic step illustrates how dangerous the situation had become. At the time, two-thirds of British food was imported, a fact that was well known to the German high command.
For much of the war, the fear of provoking the United States had made Germany relatively cautious in attacking merchant ships bound for Britain. But by 1917, with the Western Front in stalemate, it was decided that the benefits outweighed the risks.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/world-history/history-of-the-first-world-war-in-100-moments/a-history-of-the-first-world-war-in-100-moments-britons-forced-to-tighten-their-belts-as-rationing-is-imposed-9558026.html

I wonder how many could get by on that type of rationing today?

by Raggamuffin Tue Jun 24, 2014 10:35 am

Exactly. People then just had to get on with it, but nowadays they go mad if they can't afford their crisps or sweets.

by nicko Tue Jun 24, 2014 11:25 am

Does any one remember Powdered Egg and "POM"?

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History of the First World War in 100 Moments: Britons forced to tighten their belts as rationing is imposed

History of the First World War in 100 Moments: Britons forced to tighten their belts as rationing is imposed

Re: History of the First World War in 100 Moments: Britons forced to tighten their belts as rationing is imposed

Re: History of the First World War in 100 Moments: Britons forced to tighten their belts as rationing is imposed

Re: History of the First World War in 100 Moments: Britons forced to tighten their belts as rationing is imposed