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Date: |
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Description: | NEG.NO.POS 6
image: An enormous, crusty loaf of bread, marked 'EAT LESS BREAD', sits on the grassy top of coastal chalk cliffs. In the
background, partly obscured by the loaf, are silhouettes of warships of the British Grand Fleet set against a vivid yellow sky.
text: SAVE THE WHEAT AND HELP THE FLEET. EAT LESS BREAD.
During the First World War, merchant shipping bringing imported food supplies into Britain was extremely vulnerable to
German U Boat attack. By 1917, 400 Allied ships a month were being sunk. Although wheat was imported from new sources and Britain’s own
harvest reached record levels, the government actively encouraged economy.
The poster is neither subtle nor sophisticated. However, it does give an interesting insight into the controlled war economy established
by Lloyd George. Not only was industry reorganised and food supplies rationed, but also individual freedoms were radically constrained.
The poster calls on the individual to voluntarily contribute to these changes and makes a direct link between their actions and the wider
war effort.
F.C. No 21
Master
Optimised | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | 3 Ministry of Food & Food Controller British Home Front & Food Rationing Bread & (?) 1917 Royal Navy agriculture / food Wheat (Bread) & (?) 1917 British Home Front & Food Conservation Campaign | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Hazell, Watson and Viney Ltd, Litho., London | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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