World War: Less Bread

The British Navy last week claimed it had taken up another notch in Italy's belt—by sinking 29 ships of 200,000 tons in the month of September, by damaging 30 others, mostly on the run from Italy to North Africa.

The Italians, perturbed by increased sinkings, did take in the national belt. The Cabinet announced that bread—the most important item in the common Italian's diet—would be rationed sharply. Each woman and child was to eat no more than 200 grams a day—about seven ounces, or four dinky rolls. Workers would get 300 grams; heavy laborers, 400 grams. The Cabinet apologized: "The wheat crop...

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