What would we run out of first?

[diamond lil]

If there was a war, given the state of things now as compared to WW2, what kind of things would we run out of first? I've read many books about the second world war, and know all about the rationing and shortages - but life is very very different now.. what do you think would run happen ?

[pseudonym]

Depends if we were blockaded again, can't see that happening so more than likely fuel/gas.

Most probably assistance in the war, not many countries like us compared to before so a good chance to get a dig in.

[Brambles]

An awful lot of our fresh food comes from abroad. Wheat from Canada and Ukraine and Russia, meat from eastern Europe, fruit and veg from Spain and Africa, milk, cheese and eggs from Holland and France. IF there were a war, blockades may not work as they did during WW2 but you these countries would feed their own first or place a trade embargo, depending on which side they were on. I think it could get very complicated very quickly.

As for trade goods, minerals, metals, clothing, electronics and everything else we now import, mainly from China and India, again depending on whose side they are on could have a big impact.

[Wingfoot]

Interesting question.

Depends on what kind of war your talking about.

If its a conventional war & allowing for the state of the the cuts within our armed services these days we would probably run out of bullets & troops first.

If the Russians & Yanks start chucking Nukes about then breathable air may be the first thing we run out of.

But seriously if we were to see a slower decline in available resources then obviously, fuel, power/gas , food, & clean water would be the obvious first things that spring to mind.

Wf

[jansman]

Rather than 'War' I think the word conflict may be more apt. Given that the Russians and the West seem to be rubbing each other up the wrong way,then we only have to have a little 'upset' as it were before they ( The Russians)turn the gas taps off. They are a major exporter with many European countries relying on Russian gas. That is my opinion for what it is worth.

This promises to be an interesting thread. May I politely ask that we TRY and keep partisan politics out of this one, as on other threads about the Middle East it is becoming rather tiresome. Thank you.

[Vespa]

I think most of the people around me would run out of patience with other people first.

[diamond lil]

Absolutely agree Jansman, I asked the question in genuine curiosity. I've read such a lot about the second world war - and it seems to be so long ago and so very different. But it's not really is it? Being an island has its downside too, and fuel and oil are easy to cut off to an island.

[MissAnpassad]

Considering that I live in Sweden that come in second on the list of top consumers of this item, I would say coffee.
Seriously, it would be a toss between petrol and medicines here, maybe dairy products as well, we hardly have any milk cows anymore.

[jansman]

Absolutely agree Jansman, I asked the question in genuine curiosity. I've read such a lot about the second world war - and it seems to be so long ago and so very different. But it's not really is it? Being an island has its downside too, and fuel and oil are easy to cut off to an island.

I agree. The WW2 situation has always fascinated me. My Grandfather was reserved occupation as a Railway Engineer. He kept rabbits, fowls and illegal pigs on the Derbyshire Hills. His family did alright.

People were resourceful then. Now if it is not on a supermarket shelf, well... And as for rationing, I cannot see how that would work now. In 1939 folks shopped locally and had to register with one grocer, one butcher, one greengrocer etc etc. That situation barely exists now, as the supermarket rules.

[Deeps]

Absolutely agree Jansman, I asked the question in genuine curiosity. I've read such a lot about the second world war - and it seems to be so long ago and so very different. But it's not really is it? Being an island has its downside too, and fuel and oil are easy to cut off to an island.

I agree. The WW2 situation has always fascinated me. My Grandfather was reserved occupation as a Railway Engineer. He kept rabbits, fowls and illegal pigs on the Derbyshire Hills. His family did alright.

People were resourceful then. Now if it is not on a supermarket shelf, well... And as for rationing, I cannot see how that would work now. In 1939 folks shopped locally and had to register with one grocer, one butcher, one greengrocer etc etc. That situation barely exists now, as the supermarket rules.

I'm very much letting my mind wander on this issue, I really don't think it will come to it but my parents were on opposite ends of rationing, my mum was a Glasgow girl who was evacuated to Larkhall to her grandparents and had to get by on the proper rations, my father was a country boy and they had access to loads of veg, rabbits etc, his biggest moan as a boy was all the sugar was used to make jam so he couldn't put it in his tea.

I really can't see it being workable now, apart from the fact we're not geared up for it any more, our society has changed so much that our level of expectations have vastly increased. The black market would be rampant and the government would be so busy with the demands of the middle class (whatever that actually is) that they would struggle to organise any kind of war.

I can't see past a 'lukewarm war', I still think the biggest threat is terrorism, the west (and I include Russia in that) has so much to lose if things go wrong in a war that as long as they can say to their own people that they came out on top of any kind of brushfire war then that should be enough. Even the Chinese are moving in the direction of having to much to lose and having to keep the 'prols' sweet. As long as face is saved the powers that be will be happy to flex their muscles. All in my opinion of course.