The conditions during winter were especially difficult for the Berliners. I was surprised that many had to wear winter clothing while indoors because it was so cold. I did not realize that with all the restrictions on water heating, that the people did not shower as much. It makes logical sense; it was just never something that registered while studying this time period. The cold also affected accidents; traffic accidents because of iced roads. The cold also led to demonstrations and theft of coal from cellars.
I can only imagine the hardships that the Berliners endured. Not only did they have to deal with rationing of food, but also the cold created additional hardships that made life intolerable. The inhospitable weather did not stop there; terrible harvests led to a shortage in potatoes. Throughout this chapter I felt saddened by the circumstances the Berliners had to endure. I feel like their story is not often told in the history of the Second World War.