THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Britain needs extra 1.5 million acres to aid Second World War fight

From the News Letter, September 12, 1939

The British Ministry of Agriculture declared that an extra 1.5 million acres of land were required to help in the fight against Nazi Germany, reported the News Letter on this day in 1939.

A statement issued by the Ministry read as follows: “Another one and a half million acres of land must be brought under the plough this coming year. The allotment holder will be able to play an important part again.”

The statement also disclosed that Britain had a reserve stock of tractors which were ready to be released to help the struggle.

The statement continued: “The war has come at a time of the year that gives farming the best possible opportunity to prepare for the great effort it must now make in the defence of our country. Harvest is nearly finished and has turned out better than at one time seemed possible.”

The Ministry’s statement continued: “Given reasonable weather, farmers will be able to push on with their normal early cultivations and supplement them with ploughing up even more land, for another one and a half million acres of land must be brought under the plough this coming year.”

The statement concluded: “It is an ambitious programme, for we are attempting in one year what we only achieved in four years in the last war. But this time things are different. Plans are ready, food and feeding stuffs, fuel and other requisites are stored against such an emergency. We not only have 60,000 tractors in private hands, but also a reserve stock ready to be released.”

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