Food rationing At the beginning of the occupation period food rationing was handled on a Land, or in some cases a Regierungsbezirk, level. Consumer categories varied among different Laender. Not only were ration scales low, but also were different in different regions. Some areas granted no supplementary rations to workers or to pregnant and nursing women, and, in general, each Land and Regierungsbezirk supported its rations almost entirely from production within its own political boundaries. Food producing areas with relative surpluses were reluctant to transfer supplies to deficit regions. A primary objective of the food rationing and distribution program for the U. S. Zone has been to establish uniform rations throughout the Zone. This objective has been attained. Uniform classifications of consumers and uniform ration scales for each consumer category have been in effect since 12 November 1945. Imported food was made available to supplement indigenous resources, and movements of food between regions to meet established ration scales were made. Uniform ration stamps were issued for use throughout the Zone. Before VE-Day the amount of rationed food actually distributed to the normal consumer had fallen to 1,050 calories per day, representing the lowest per capita consumption of food since World War I. Immediately after VE-Day this amount dropped precipitately to an average of about 860 calories per day. Under these conditions the first task for the occupying forces was obviously to raise the total caloric value of the ration to prevent starvation and unrest. Before the new crop became available the daily ration for normal consumers had been increased to 980 calories per day. In succeeding periods the caloric value of the ration was increased steadily until for three months beginning on 7 January 1946 the normal consumer received approximately 1,550 calories of rationed food per day." Early in March, as the result of critical developments in the world food situation, the United States suspended shipments of wheat under previous allocations for feeding the population of U. S. occupied areas of Germany. Indigenous resources plus imports on hand and en route were estimated to be only sufficient to support approximately a 915 calorie ration per day for the normal consumer through 30 September 1946. At the end of March a commitment was made to ship 50,000 tons of wheat per month from the United States during April, May and June. Since the promised imports were not enough to maintain a 1,550 calorie level for normal consumers from 1 April through 30 September, this action necessitated complete reorganization of plans for food distribution until the next harvest. On 1 April food rations in the U. S. Zone were cut from 1,550 to 1,275 calories per day for the normal consumer, with corresponding reductions for other consumer groups. This ration scale was the lowest for the U. S. Zone since October 1945, and compared with an authorized ration of 1,043 calories per day for normal consumers in the British Zone and 940 calories per day for the French Zone. In May, pending definite import commitments for the last half of 1946, German authorities recommended and Military Government approved a further reduction in the ration for the normal consumer in the U. S. Zone to 1,180 calories per day. On September 23, announcement was made that the ration level would be raised to 1,550 calories for the normal consumer effective October 14, 1946. Calorie Ration Level of Normal Consumer, U. S. Zone By January 1946, a program of rigid enforcement of regulations governing food distribution and rationing, price control and black market activities, was in operation. Regulations governing the use of food ration coupons had been strengthened. Acceptance of ration stamps by retailers in advance of the week in which they become valid, was prohibited and regional authorities were required to secure prior approval from Military Government for validation of coupons for periods subsequent to those for which they were originally issued. Farm sales to consumers had to be made in accordance with regulations governing sales of food by retailers. Inspection teams of German and Military Government officials were required to make` continuous visits to regional and local food offices to check compliance with directives for the purpose of insuring maximum utilization of indigenous and imported food supplies. Feeding of Berlin At the time the joint occupation of Berlin was planned, it was not contemplated that the United States would be responsible for feeding its sector of the city. Soon after U. S. forces arrived, however, it became evident that the United States would have to assume this responsibility. The problem of getting food to the U. S. Sector of Berlin was difficult. Berlin was cut off from its usual sources of supply, which for the most part were under the control of the U. S. S. R. Food for the U. S. Sector therefore had to be brought 1) Subject to availability from the U. S. Zone and from the United States via Bremen, in spite of acute transportation difficulties. On account of the emergency in transportation and lack of field organizations through which to obtain indigenous supplies, the Soviet authorities undertook to feed the U. S. as well as the British Sector of Berlin from 15 July to 15 August 1945 under arrangements providing for repayment as soon as British and U. S. officials could supply the food. In the early days of this program cattle from the U. S. Zone were transported to the border of the Soviet Zone and turned over to Soviet authorities in exchange for meat for the U. S. sector of Berlin. Other food commodities were shipped to Berlin and turned over to Soviet officials. The first American flour train reached Berlin the last week in July, and by the end of August enough food was coming in to meet current requirements and to repay supplies furnished by Soviet authorities. November 1945 witnessed the transition from a critical emergency basis to a smooth functioning operation, for by that time enough food had been moved into Berlin to provide the city with ample stocks. The feeding of Berlin is a unique operation. The city is governed jointly by the four occupying powers, and hence a joint Food Agreement entered into by the Kommandatura (the military commanders of the four sectors of the city) forms the basis of feeding operations. Under this agreement each of the four powers is obligated to supply food for the inhabitants of the city in accordance with existing ration scales and the percentage of the total population in its sector. Estimates of the amount of food needed are made in advance and approved by the Kommandatura. Kommandatura. Deliveries are scheduled by the four powers accordingly. All supplies go into a joint pool administered by the Berlin Buergermeister, from which distribution is made to the population in accordance with the established ration scales. At the end of each month an accounting is made of the food distributed and balances are computed showing the position of individual powers with respect to their commitments. From time to time arrangements have been made between the British and Americans to meet each other's Berlin commitments, with repayment to be made either in Berlin or in the appropriate zone. French commitments to Berlin have so far been met entirely by U. S. and British deliveries under an arrangement calling for reimbursement by the French in kind wherever possible or or through transfer of another commodity on an equal caloric basis. During recent months wheat purchased in the United States by the French Government has been received at Bremen in repayment for food provided by the United States for the French Sector of Berlin. From 16 July 1945 through 31 May 1946 the United States brought into Berlin the following amounts of food to meet the requirements of its own sector and its temporary commitments to the French and British sectors. U. S. Deliveries of Food to Berlin, July 1945-May 1946 The pattern for ration scales had already been set by the U. S. S. R. when Military Government began to share in operations in July. Consumers are divided into five classes depending upon the kind of work in which they are engaged (figures in parentheses show present rations): V Remainder of the population, including the unemployed and housewives (1,507 calories daily). The ration scale for children from 10 to 14 years was increased from the 1,358 calories in effect when the Western Allies entered the city, to 1,548 calories per day in February. Rations for children from 7 to 9 years were also increased in February to 1,612 calories per day, an increase of 99 calories over the prior ration of 1,513 calories that had been in effect since July 1945. In January 1946, rations for normal consumers (Group V) were raised from 1,240 calories to 1,507 calories per day. a) Canned and dehydrated b) Fresh c) Ersatz |