During World War II, the Allied and Axis militaries consumed huge amounts of equipment, fuel, clothing, and food. Most industry in the involved countries was devoted to building the machinery of war. Populations found themselves conserving — and often without — things they had once taken for granted. Oil, gasoline, metals, meat, poultry, bread, sugar, butter, eggs, and salt were among the things which were restricted. Non-essential consumer goods, such as bicycles and passenger cars, were simply not produced.
In order to distribute resources and consumer goods to their populations, the governments of warring countries instituted rationing programs. They typically issued ration cards, which could be punched or marked when the consumer had received his or her periodic rations. Rationing programs typically exist to ensure equitable distribution of basic necessities. In Germany, however, the rationing process was also used to deny certain essentials to targeted groups or individuals. In March 1940, German authorities stamped a “J” on the ration cards of Bert and the other Jews of Germany, indicating to government workers that they were to receive reduced food allowances.
