Don't waste bread.: save two thick slices every day and defeat the 'u' boat

Published by the Ministry of Food, this British First World War poster aimed at encouraging citizens not to waste bread in an attempt to defeat the Germans in their U-boat campaign. The central image is of a woman cutting a load of bread, while on the right appears a confrontation with a British ship and a German U-boat. The British Prime Minister Lloyd George argued: "You must ration...I would certainly urge that there should be a very complete system of rationing...and everybody must be put on the same footing", nationwide rationing was only introduced as late as April 1918. During World War I, Britain declared a blockade of Germany. Berlin responded with its own U-boats (submarines) to sink ships carrying military equipment or food to Britain. Food becoming more important as the war continued, especially after the declaration of unlimited U-boat warfare. In about two years, the United Kingdom had just six weeks' food left and, therefore, had to ration its food supplies. Rationing started at the end of 1917 with sugar and butter remaining on ration until 1920.