Occupied Germany - Checking up on Illicit Trading of Goods

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Occupied Germany - Checking up on Illicit Trading of Goods

Occupied Germany - Checking up on Illicit Trading of Goods - Hunting black market traders. Date: 1946

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Media ID 14347570

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

1946 Check Checking Checks Forces Goods Occupation Occupied Occupying Post War Trading

EDITORS COMMENTS
In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, the Allied forces worked tirelessly to establish order and rebuild the shattered infrastructure of occupied Germany. One of the most pressing concerns was the issue of illicit trading of goods on the black market. With the economy in ruins and rationing in place, the black market had become a thriving underground network where people could buy and sell essential items at inflated prices. In this evocative photograph from 1946, British soldiers carefully check the contents of a cart being transported through the streets of an unnamed German town. The soldiers, dressed in their military uniforms and armed with determined expressions, are on the lookout for contraband goods. The cart, filled with various items, is surrounded by curious onlookers, some of whom may be hoping to make a profit from the soldiers' discovery. The Allied forces took a zero-tolerance approach to black market trading, viewing it as a threat to the stability of the post-war recovery effort. Soldiers conducted regular checks on both individuals and commercial establishments, confiscating illegal goods and imposing harsh penalties on those caught breaking the rules. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by the Allied forces during the occupation of Germany and the lengths they went to restore order and rebuild a war-torn nation. The image captures a moment in history that is often overlooked in the grand narrative of World War II, yet it is a crucial part of the story of how the Allied forces worked to bring stability and order to a devastated Europe.

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