Family genealogy
Jews in France
The achievements of the French Revolution
A major crisis: the Dreyfus Affair
World War I 1914-1918
The interwar period 1919-1939
World War II 1939-1945
In Paris and the occupied zone
Measures taken by the occupying power
From the very beginning of the occupation, France was designated as the Reich's primary agricultural supplier.
For example, 485 thousand tons of cereals were thus taken by the Germans in 1941-1942, and 714 thousand in 1942-1943, without any increase in French agricultural production.
Rationing cards were introduced throughout France in September 1940.
The texts then provide for between 1200 and 1800 calories per day per person depending on the categories and criteria.
These rations steadily decreased throughout the conflict, and this worsened after liberation.
In 1941, rations were 1194 calories.
in 1942 of 1239 calories,
in 1943 of 1173 calories,
and 950 calories in 1944 and 898 in Paris, which is 30% of the value of the ration of an ordinary German in Germany in 1944.
In Paris, considered an urban center and having stricter restrictions than rural centers, an adult male with his ration card can obtain
250 grams in March 1941, then increased in 1943),
100 grams of fat,
70 grams of cheese,
and 200 grams of rice per month,
500 grams of sugar
and 250 grams of pasta.
Rationed foodstuffs are
- meat (clean, frozen, sheep or beef, by quarters or boneless),
- canned meat products and meat-based products,
- frozen or salted fish, as well as canned fish,
- wheat and secondary cereals (oats, barley, etc.), bread flours and blended flours,
- pasta,
- butters, fats, greases and edible oils,
- whole milk, concentrated milk and powdered milk,
- cheeses,
- dried vegetables,
- fruits and vegetables,
- canned vegetables,
- rice,
- chocolate, jams,
- coffee and tea,
- potatoes,
- sugars
- and wine and various alcoholic beverages.
Some manufactured goods are also rationed, such as paper, string, fertilizers and fuels.
However, just because these goods are listed on ration cards does not mean they are actually distributed.
There are indeed many shortages, more or less severe depending on the region and whether one is in a city or in the countryside.
These shortages are encouraged by the stockpiling and blocking of food in warehouses and especially by the black market, which thrives during this period.
Of all the upheavals caused by the war, food restrictions are the most noticeable on a daily basis for the civilian population.
Rationing came into effect in the autumn of 1940, with the introduction of a food ration card.
Some manufactured goods are also rationed, such as paper, string, fertilizers and fuels.
However, just because these goods are listed on ration cards does not mean they are actually distributed.
There are indeed many shortages, more or less severe depending on the region and whether one is in a city or in the countryside.
These shortages are encouraged by the stockpiling and blocking of food in warehouses and especially by the black market, which thrives during this period.
Of all the upheavals caused by the war, food restrictions are the most noticeable on a daily basis for the civilian population.
Rationing came into effect in the autumn of 1940, with the introduction of a food ration card.
To take into account the specific needs of children and adolescents, category J is quickly divided into
- J1 (3 to 6 years old),
- J2 (6 to 12 years old)
- and, from June 1941, in J3 (13 to 21 years old).
The J3s received the highest bread ration of all, along with supplements of sugar, jam, and chocolate. "J3" soon became the standard term for young people under the Occupation.
Because of its negative connotation, the bread ration card was abolished in May 1945, in the euphoria of victory, and was reinstated a month later due to the catastrophic economic situation in the country.
Daily rations are also reduced, going down to less than 1000 calories per person per day, making rationing stricter than it was under the occupation.
The last ration tickets were abolished in December 1949, at the same time as the Commissariat for Supply.
However, this service did not really disappear until the beginning of 1951, following laws in 1949 and 1950, and the gradual disappearance of internal services within the General Supply Service.
