Summary: The Importance Of Food In World War II

The availability of food, which is a basic necessity for life, varies based on manmade or natural events taking place such as war or drought. In times of war the abundance and quality food is a critical resource to ensure that soldiers fighting on the battlefield, and civilians working in the factories and on the farms remain healthy, productive, and motivated. But as Lizzie Collingham believes, governments can also use food to achieve a desired result or as a weapon of war (88) 4. The presence or absence of food affected everyone involved in World War II. The abundance of food available to the US gave them an advantage over its enemies and a means to help their allies. Germany, having dealt with food shortages throughout WWI, looked to become
The attack and war in general had an enormous impact on the Soviet Union. The Germans destroyed most of the Soviet’s infrastructure. The retreating Soviets implemented a scorched earth policy to deny the incoming Germans food by burning or ruining all stockpiles of food. Even civilians were facing difficulty to procure adequate food. For instance, Vera Malakhova lived on bread and “tea”, which consisted-- of nothing but hot water (176). By the end of 1941 the Soviet Union was facing a food crisis of immense proportions. Cullingham states, “The site of men and women falling dead of starvation on the streets became too commonplace to attract crowds,” (318) 14. To avoid this fate, Soviet soldiers had to become expert foragers eating whatever they can get their hands on to stay alive in order to fight another day. To them this was a much better alternative to living under German occupation. Labor camps and death awaited Soviet soldiers who surrendered. Even Soviet civilians faced enslavement and harsh treatment by the Germans. German forced laborers were fed the least. A Soviet survivor, Olga Sukhostat, talks about her harsh treatment and living conditions under German enslavement by stating, “I’d get some potatoes, black coffee, and a small slice of bread. Then I’d work in the fields until 11 p.m.” (Olga 2). The food crisis in the Soviet Union also caused the ruling communist
“Given that the Soviets were doing most if the fighting against the Germans, holding down 189 German divisions on the eastern front, in contrast to just fourteen against the Allied forces in Italy, this was a source of real concern.” [Collingham, p331] Under the lend-lease agreement, the United States shipped huge quantities of food as well as other supplies to the Soviets. “The knowledge that German victory would bring about the annihilation of their homes and families meant that the Soviets were determined to defeat the invaders and they did so despite hunger and starvation,” (464) 17. However, without the help from countries like the US the Soviets ultimate victory over the Germans may not have