Food for Germany WW1

[ggarner57]

How early would Germany have to defeat Russia in order to get Ukrainian grain flowing, rendering the death caused by the British blockade moot? And if Germany now had the logistical support for its military, could it at least fight to a stalemate?

 

[miketr]

Multiple issues to consider.

Whenever Germany gets access to the Ukraine has central authority broken down? If yes you will need a year at least to establish order and then you need more time to get food production going again. Poland was fought over but wasnt in chaos so its food product went up every year it was occupied. While Romania was taken so rapidly it was a treasure trove of food for the CP.

Even with Ukraines problems it still feed millions.

Michael

 

[ggarner57]

Multiple issues to consider.

Whenever Germany gets access to the Ukraine has central authority broken down? If yes you will need a year at least to establish order and then you need more time to get food production going again. Poland was fought over but wasnt in chaos so its food product went up every year it was occupied. While Romania was taken so rapidly it was a treasure trove of food for the CP.

Even with Ukraines problems it still feed millions.

Michael

I would think the CP would realize how important it would be to get the grain headed to them, and would ensure that, if nothing else, food production keeps up to par.

Would it be enough, though for the Germans to hold longer?

 

[miketr]

I would say getting the Ukraine allowed Germany and AH to last through the summer of 1918. Yah it wasnt the haul they were hopping for by far but without it the food situation is even worse. Short answer is you need Ukraine over run at least a year sooner to have any hope of reversing the food supply trends.

Michael