Rationing During World War 2

Last week, I wrote about the horrendous trip from India to Washington DC made by LT. Elsie Ott, the first flight nurse,  and her patients. This week I’m writing about a trip my dad made during WW II. The section below is a cut from my forthcoming book Our Duty, and highlights the impact of rationing during World War 2. Johnny, one of the important men in the true novel, had taken his sister-in-law to Lincoln, Nebraska to tell her young pilot husband goodbye before he headed to the conflict in Europe. Johnny had to borrow old tires and enough gas stamps  to try to make the 400+ mile trip.

A Sad Trip Home

“We left for home right after the ceremony. We tried to talk about how keen the send-off was, and that Ben had lost a lot of weight. Margie said it was such a wonderful gift for me to take her, and then she had to gulp and turn to the window. I know my stomach was tied up in knots and felt a boulder in my gut. Poor Margie had to have been even worse. But she was strong and held it together pretty good until she thought I was asleep that night. Must have had a towel over her mouth in the bathroom, but her sobs bout ripped me apart.”

“You two shared a room?” Polly could not hide her incredulity.

“Oh hell, we had planned to be home by dark, but that wasn’t in the cards. Barely got on the road when we had the first flat tire; another gave out before we got to Topeka. By that time, thunderheads were piling up, and the sky was as dark as our mood. When it started pouring, l decided we had to find a place to stop for the night. I didn’t want to take the chance of getting hit by a truck while changing a tire in that downpour. Margie and I agreed it was a waste of dough to get two rooms, so I took the floor.”

“That makes sense.”

“Our rotten luck still wasn’t over, though. We left before sunup, so I could get home and help Dad in case it hadn’t rained there. Luckily we stopped for gas and breakfast less than an hour outside of Topeka.  That’s when I discovered my wallet missing—left in such a rush forgot it on the night stand.”

Polly shook her head, “Oh my gosh. What did you do?”

“I left the owner of the gas station my watch as security that I’d return with stamps if he gave us enough gas to get back to Topeka. I prayed my billfold would be safe– and it was.  The people at the motel were gonna mail it, but hoped Margie had money to get us home.”

“What a trip!” Polly sighed, “Thank goodness those folks were all honest, and helpful.”

During World War 2, gas and rubber rationing was an important part of the war effort.  To conserve gasoline and preserve rubber, carpooling was encouraged.  Learn more about rationing during World War 2.

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