Prep Genrl Prepping for War?

[Donna_in_OK]

With everything going on, I often wonder if the USA picked the short straw on WHERE the next world war will be played out. I mean, the military industrial complex is 'good' for economies of all countries... *cough spit*

Anyway, during other world wars, rationing was the thing. Do you see the USA implementing rationing again? If so, what types of things do you think will be rationed? Will the list have changed that much from WW2?

I think I'll add a little more to the stocks of those items which were on the most rationed lists to be on the safe side. Are you doing anything special?

 

[Kathy in FL]

The next world war that is fought real time rather than played out digitally will be unlike what came before. The weapons are different. Information transfer systems are different. The morals in the world are different. And the skills by the vast majority of those living in first world areas cannot compete with the third world hell holes.

Where will it be fought? The main theaters it is hard to tell. However, I believe there will be rampant terrorism and most of the fighting will occur in your own living rooms and with family and friends as connections are broken and disagreements occur. Similar to the splitting of families during the War Between the States back in the 1860s. Similar to the war between the peoples here in the 2020’s. There will be those ostracized and abused by even their closest loved ones. It is inevitable because humanity is failing.

But no one knows when so don’t forget to continuing living in the here and now as well.

 

[Donna_in_OK]

Kathy - That is already happening. Hell, they started to divide us this past election. All they are doing now is driving the wedge in further. Saying that, I would HOPE that all Americans are pissed off about the current situation, but some are blind. Free money here, free money there... don't forget that mask and better get that 99th booster shot.

That said, I do expect things to go sideways and quickly. Just trying to think outside the box a little to see if I might have forgotten a few things.

 

[hiwall]

If we are involved in another war, I would expect severe supply-chain problems along with loss of electric power likely (either terror attacks or cyber attacks).
Expect a shortage of Everything. If war happens.

 

[Grouchy Granny]

IIRC the things my great grandmother said about WW1 was sugar, flour, yeast, butter and cooking oil. Also meat was short because that was all going to feed the troops.

I still have 2 packages of sewing needles that were hers in my sewing stuff that were sold to raise money for War Bonds. Never been used and I hope to never have to use them.

Also have a knitting pattern book to make sweaters, vests, etc. for the Air Force and another one that showed how to make do with old clothes and some cooking recipes. I'll have to find it as I have it packed away.

 

[Cardinal]

There will be no rationing because the whole point is to starve you to death.
Stockpile now.

 

[Illini Warrior]

comparing today to the pre-WW2 days? - virtually nothing is totally manufactured in the US - not even North America >>> there was some unique raw materials that were cut off when WW2 went hot for the US - raw rubber and silk were a couple of the biggies - the synthetics that were newly available kicked into high gear ...

if you were driving in the 1970s you remember the OPEC problems - it's back thanks to Biden - whether the US production can again be revved up to a domestic self-sufficiency level in an emergency >>> debatable that Biden would allow it - a shortage would be the DNC Green Deal pushed forward ....

as far as everything else - especially the high tech - not anything that can geared up quik - if at alllllll >>> one of the World's hotpoints for war is Taiwan - major major manufacturer of computing chips - none of that would survive a China takeover ....

if you want to prep for the wars coming up - low tech for everything with a personal or local capability to repair & maintain ....

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

IIRC the things my great grandmother said about WW1 was sugar, flour, yeast, butter and cooking oil. Also meat was short because that was all going to feed the troops....

I am sure your grandmother was probably right about these items being the most needed back during WW1. They were also the food items that families struggled to keep in the house when the depression hit, and nobody had money to buy food.

But - at least in the beginning - these are not the items that folks would be trying to keep in their kitchens in 2021 America, IMHO. Very few cooks under the age of 50 would know what to do with them.

What do I think will be the first major shortages to cause discontent among the masses?

A shortage of commercially produced bread, fresh milk, dry breakfast cereals (I’m talking about totally empty cereal aisles here, not just a shortage of your one favorite brand), sodas, beer, bottled water, candy, cookies, chips, popcorn, peanut butter, jelly, frozen hamburger patties, hot dogs, frozen and canned meats in general, and an absence of all the microwave-ready meal options.

When all of those are gone from the store shelves and there is nothing coming in to replace them - that is when I would expect all hell to break loose, especially in the inner cities.

We older folks, on the other hand, might be wise to stock up on extra sugar, flour, yeast, butter, and cooking oil. Plus coffee and powdered or shelf stable milk.

The younger ones might not see the value in those foodstuffs right now, but your great grandmother did.

And most of the folks who stumble onto this thread would.

That is my opinion, for what it is worth.

 

[ivantherussian03]

Just look at the pandemic list of items in short supply, and you have a starting point. No way to predict what will will be rationed. Some things won’t be rationed cause they will deemed non essential. Another world war would be unprecedented in destrunction and comparable to other wars, except in vagues sense. World War 2 ended 80 years ago….the world, the economy, and everything has changed.

 

[Meemur]

I would suggest making two lists: 1) morale items that mean the world to you, and "hot water" might be included, and 2) a list of about 25 or so "critical" items that you need to keep your household/job going.

Get the morale items squared away. This is more than just stocking some extra coffee. If "hot water" is key, devise some ways to produce it that fit your space and budget.

Next, check on the other items. You probably already have a lot of them. Maybe sure your organization plan is working so that you can find things quickly. Fix that now if it's a problem.

These suggestions will help whether we end up in a war, more lock downs, or a major economic downturn. I have given up trying to predict what's on the horizon. I just know that with the prices rising, I won't go wrong stocking tea, coffee, and some raw materials so I can fabricate some items that I will need.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

I am sure your grandmother was probably right about these items being the most needed back during WW1. They were also the food items that families struggled to keep in the house when the depression hit, and nobody had money to buy food.

Shoes and boots! During the rationing period of the Great Depression and WWII ration stamps were needed for both. Even if you were lucky enough to have the money to buy them the stamps were still needed.

I lost the skin off one heel because my feet were cold and wet for too long one New England winter.

 

[Shooter]

I expect things made in other countries to not be available, that sure makes a big gap

 

[ivantherussian03]

Rare earth metals will be in short supply.

 

[Meemur]

Morale items! Get them today if you've been putting it off. There is a potential trucker strike in the US on Tuesday. Even if it doesn't materialize, that rumor is out on the net, and I expect stores to get clobbered. Also fuel up: prices will rise because of Hurricane Ida.

 

[mecoastie]

This next war will be like nothing in the past. Historically in war the US has fed and provided goods for the world. Most of our rationing in WW2 was to make the people feel like they were part of the effort. My grandmother remembers using an eyeliner on her leg to look like nylons. She wasnt worried about her next meal. English rationing was severe but they didnt starve. They never rationed bread and had off ration canteens and restaurants where people could eat so they were never in danger of starving but it was lean for folks. Clothes, sugar and fat were 3 things that stick out from England. Germany's system was based on the work one did. It worked well until it all fell apart in the end. They were making bread using sawdust and grass as fillers. My uncle basically lived on potatoes for several years at the end of the war until they escaped to the West.

For a modern war, I look at it as if I cant get it within a 10 mile radius it could be unavailable for a long time or if available very expensive. Everything is either produced overseas or transported by modes that rely on products from overseas to function. Food, clothes, parts etc. That is what I have focused on. I make sure that everyone has good shoes and boots and some sturdy clothes. I have the materials to repair and even make clothes if I had to. If I am at a yard sale and find a bolt of cloth it comes home. I stock spares for my critical power tools mostly the chainsaw and the tiller. Have manual backups for both. I have lots of handtools and the skills to use them. Food, it is either grow it myself or develop relationships with local producers and that includes the ability to grow most of my own feed. A big thing is sanitary items. Toothbrushes, soap, laundry detergent. I can make soap and have a few cans of lye put back but it is much easier to buy it now and throw it on a shelf. Same with toothbrushes.

Here is the kicker, I cant do any of that stuff without a tribe. That is one thing that when I spoke with my grandparents and their friends, they stressed was they had help. One woman looked after all the kids so the mothers could go to work. One of the women had a neighbor who took care of their gardens. He was in his 70s and would go weed his neighbors gardens. They gave him some produce and would make him a meal every now and then. If they had to go somewhere they would all go in one vehicle to save gas. They also had law and order. They werent worried about thieves or raider etc. They could sleep and focus on their jobs. Finally they had a common goal. Win the war and get everyone home. It was more than just survive.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

I lost the skin off one heel because my feet were cold and wet for too long one New England winter.

Something I remember from my Mom (a survivor of the Great Depression). When she would send us out to play on wet sloppy days or in snow she would put a plastic bread bag over our socks and then put our boots on, to help keep our feet dry.

 

[philkar]

For some reason socks ,shoes, and underwear is really important to me! Ridiculous I know. But I very much agree that most people these days do not know how to cook so when the processed foods are gone is when all heck breaks loose. My food stores would be absolutely useless to them.

 

[John Deere Girl]

Morale items! Get them today if you've been putting it off. There is a potential trucker strike in the US on Tuesday. Even if it doesn't materialize, that rumor is out on the net, and I expect stores to get clobbered. Also fuel up: prices will rise because of Hurricane Ida.

How long is the trucker strike supposed to last?

 

[philkar]

I can't find anything concrete about the trucker strike. How bout you guys? Just want to support it as best as I can!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

For some reason socks ,shoes, and underwear is really important to me! Ridiculous I know. But I very much agree that most people these days do not know how to cook so when the processed foods are gone is when all heck breaks loose. My food stores would be absolutely useless to them.

Mine, too. Most would not know what to do with a 1lb package of ground beef, 1 can of Cream of Mushroom soup, and 1 cup of rice. On the other hand, I can use those 3 ingredients to form the basis of several different recipes.

 

[mecoastie]

How long is the trucker strike supposed to last?

I have found nothing about a US strike anywhere. In Australia there is supposed to be one though.

 

[NoDandy]

When thinking about soap, I have been thinking about using empty laundry detergent jugs. They always have soap remaining. Fill them with water, and set aside. Use for washing hands, etc. Especially with the push button spouts. If something happens to water supply, you have that need covered.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

When thinking about soap, I have been thinking about using empty laundry detergent jugs. They always have soap remaining. Fill them with water, and set aside. Use for washing hands, etc. Especially with the push button spouts. If something happens to water supply, you have that need covered.

That idea definitely has possibilities! I like it.

 

[summerthyme]

Something I remember from my Mom (a survivor of the Great Depression). When she would send us out to play on wet sloppy days or in snow she would put a plastic bread bag over our socks and then put our boots on, to help keep our feet dry.

Heck, hubby and I did that ourselves for years... good rubber boots are expensive (for poor farmers! LOL!) and they were always getting holes in them. We'd patch them inside and out with duct tape, and then wear a bread bag over out socks. Saved a lot of cold, wet feet.

Summerthyme

 

[Cardinal]

Heck, hubby and I did that ourselves for years... good rubber boots are expensive (for poor farmers! LOL!) and they were always getting holes in them. We'd patch them inside and out with duct tape, and then wear a bread bag over out socks. Saved a lot of cold, wet feet.

Summerthyme

I grew up doing that too (Western Ma winters)

 

[Old Gray Mare]

When thinking about soap, I have been thinking about using empty laundry detergent jugs. They always have soap remaining. Fill them with water, and set aside. Use for washing hands, etc. Especially with the push button spouts. If something happens to water supply, you have that need covered.

I remember something about a small wire basket with a handle kept near the kitchen sink. When the bar of hand soap was worn down to a sliver it was put in the basket with other bits and pieces of soap. The basket was swished around in the hot dish water.

 

[summerthyme]

One thing about underwear, if you can sew... underpants (women's and girls panties, men's boxers or briefs) are *really* simple to make. You could easily recycle the good parts of old t-shirts or other knit fabric, and boxers could be made from the good sections of worn out bedsheets. There are multi-size patterns available on the 'net.

But you will need elastic (once that runs out, we'll be back to buttonholes and drawstrings!) You can find 50 yard spools of elastic for just a few bucks more than a 2 yard packet will cost at JoAnne's.

Last year, our son brought his two toddler girls to visit the farm. Their mom was in the early stages of pregnancy, and didn't do her usual great job of packing their clothes. One pair of underpants each for a 2 and 3 year old was not enough!

So, I found a pattern online, printed it out (www.mamacandoit.com is great for baby and kids patterns, as well as some adults) and whipped up 6 pairs in about 2 hours. I hadn't ever made them before, and I was amazed at how easily and quickly they went together.

Summerthyme

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Summerthyme, this is one reason I never get rid of old sheets and pillow cases. I always choose solid colored bed sheets, in the event they have to be used to make underwear. I don't think Cary would appreciate having flowers or loud designs on his underwear.

 

[Voortrekker]

Someone mentioned about the nature of a world war, locations, etc. The initial place of momentum may be Formosa and Taiwan, but the Korean Peninsula and Japan will also be involved regardless. Adding to that is the Philippines and Indonesia. That will bring Australia and New Zealand into the war. The U.S. will be either avoiding participation because of the Admin. and "The Party" or will get soundly defeated because of Wokenism or Domestic Commitments to internal security. (Americans as the enemy.)

Africa is going to be involved because PRC has colonized Africa and the Middle East is enroute, so China will need to "secure" its lines of communications. Our Air Force may or may not become annihilated going against the Russian Federation over Turkey and the Baltics as well as the Ukraine. The U.S. Admin. will be in that up to their eyeballs.

Internally, we will be "the gnashing of teeth" in domestic chaos and the extreme opposite of tranquility. With the Party going full commie retard all commerce will stop and it will be a dark ages until the American people stop being "lambs" and become LIONS. No one is coming to save us as we have written ourselves out of history.

This is my summation and analytical deduction, YMMV. You are on your own. No magic hero will drop from Heaven, no victorious hero will rise from the ashes. I digress...

 

[philkar]

One thing about underwear, if you can sew... underpants (women's and girls panties, men's boxers or briefs) are *really* simple to make. You could easily recycle the good parts of old t-shirts or other knit fabric, and boxers could be made from the good sections of worn out bedsheets. There are multi-size patterns available on the 'net.

But you will need elastic (once that runs out, we'll be back to buttonholes and drawstrings!) You can find 50 yard spools of elastic for just a few bucks more than a 2 yard packet will cost at JoAnne's.

Last year, our son brought his two toddler girls to visit the farm. Their mom was in the early stages of pregnancy, and didn't do her usual great job of packing their clothes. One pair of underpants each for a 2 and 3 year old was not enough!

So, I found a pattern online, printed it out (www.mamacandoit.com is great for baby and kids patterns, as well as some adults) and whipped up 6 pairs in about 2 hours. I hadn't ever made them before, and I was amazed at how easily and quickly they went together.

Summerthyme

I have reams of elastic for that very reason! My roommate in college taught me how to make bras and panties. She was a Swede from Minnesota and could whip up anything on a sewing machine. She taught me a lot!

 

[psychgirl]

This next war will be like nothing in the past. Historically in war the US has fed and provided goods for the world. Most of our rationing in WW2 was to make the people feel like they were part of the effort. My grandmother remembers using an eyeliner on her leg to look like nylons. She wasnt worried about her next meal. English rationing was severe but they didnt starve. They never rationed bread and had off ration canteens and restaurants where people could eat so they were never in danger of starving but it was lean for folks. Clothes, sugar and fat were 3 things that stick out from England. Germany's system was based on the work one did. It worked well until it all fell apart in the end. They were making bread using sawdust and grass as fillers. My uncle basically lived on potatoes for several years at the end of the war until they escaped to the West.

For a modern war, I look at it as if I cant get it within a 10 mile radius it could be unavailable for a long time or if available very expensive. Everything is either produced overseas or transported by modes that rely on products from overseas to function. Food, clothes, parts etc. That is what I have focused on. I make sure that everyone has good shoes and boots and some sturdy clothes. I have the materials to repair and even make clothes if I had to. If I am at a yard sale and find a bolt of cloth it comes home. I stock spares for my critical power tools mostly the chainsaw and the tiller. Have manual backups for both. I have lots of handtools and the skills to use them. Food, it is either grow it myself or develop relationships with local producers and that includes the ability to grow most of my own feed. A big thing is sanitary items. Toothbrushes, soap, laundry detergent. I can make soap and have a few cans of lye put back but it is much easier to buy it now and throw it on a shelf. Same with toothbrushes.

Here is the kicker, I cant do any of that stuff without a tribe. That is one thing that when I spoke with my grandparents and their friends, they stressed was they had help. One woman looked after all the kids so the mothers could go to work. One of the women had a neighbor who took care of their gardens. He was in his 70s and would go weed his neighbors gardens. They gave him some produce and would make him a meal every now and then. If they had to go somewhere they would all go in one vehicle to save gas. They also had law and order. They werent worried about thieves or raider etc. They could sleep and focus on their jobs. Finally they had a common goal. Win the war and get everyone home. It was more than just survive.

We don’t have much of this nowadays. Maybe in small locations but overall, we just aint got it anymore.

 

[psychgirl]

I remember something about a small wire basket with a handle kept near the kitchen sink. When the bar of hand soap was worn down to a sliver it was put in the basket with other bits and pieces of soap. The basket was swished around in the hot dish water.

So THATS what that was for!!
My mil had one I’m pretty sure as did my grandma!
Thank you!

 

[ivantherussian03]

This next war will be like nothing in the past. Historically in war the US has fed and provided goods for the world. Most of our rationing in WW2 was to make the people feel like they were part of the effort. My grandmother remembers using an eyeliner on her leg to look like nylons. She wasnt worried about her next meal. English rationing was severe but they didnt starve. They never rationed bread and had off ration canteens and restaurants where people could eat so they were never in danger of starving but it was lean for folks. Clothes, sugar and fat were 3 things that stick out from England. Germany's system was based on the work one did. It worked well until it all fell apart in the end. They were making bread using sawdust and grass as fillers. My uncle basically lived on potatoes for several years at the end of the war until they escaped to the West.

For a modern war, I look at it as if I cant get it within a 10 mile radius it could be unavailable for a long time or if available very expensive. Everything is either produced overseas or transported by modes that rely on products from overseas to function. Food, clothes, parts etc. That is what I have focused on. I make sure that everyone has good shoes and boots and some sturdy clothes. I have the materials to repair and even make clothes if I had to. If I am at a yard sale and find a bolt of cloth it comes home. I stock spares for my critical power tools mostly the chainsaw and the tiller. Have manual backups for both. I have lots of handtools and the skills to use them. Food, it is either grow it myself or develop relationships with local producers and that includes the ability to grow most of my own feed. A big thing is sanitary items. Toothbrushes, soap, laundry detergent. I can make soap and have a few cans of lye put back but it is much easier to buy it now and throw it on a shelf. Same with toothbrushes.

Here is the kicker, I cant do any of that stuff without a tribe. That is one thing that when I spoke with my grandparents and their friends, they stressed was they had help. One woman looked after all the kids so the mothers could go to work. One of the women had a neighbor who took care of their gardens. He was in his 70s and would go weed his neighbors gardens. They gave him some produce and would make him a meal every now and then. If they had to go somewhere they would all go in one vehicle to save gas. They also had law and order. They werent worried about thieves or raider etc. They could sleep and focus on their jobs. Finally they had a common goal. Win the war and get everyone home. It was more than just survive.

Russia has already stated they intend to disrupt the American homeland.