All these prohibitions had a completely negative result. The goods disappeared from the markets, trading was continued in uncontrollable backyards, and the urban population lacked the most important food items. With a readmission of the markets, these dangerous symptoms vanished.
Black Market Prices
Following are some examples of black market prices in the occupied Eastern territories:
In Areas of the Caucasus
1 Egg RM 1.—
1 lb. Butter RM 15.— - 20.—
1 ltr milk RM 2.60 - 3.40
100 gr. tea RM 20.— - 40.—
1 apple RM 1.—
1 chicken RM 9.— - 10.—
1 lb. meat RM 5.—
1 winter overcoat RM 600.—
1 pr. shoes RM 200.— - 300.—
In the city of Kharkov:
1 ltr milk RM 3.— - 4.—
1 kg tea RM 1000.—
1 piece wartime soap RM 7.— - 8.—
1 ltr Vodka RM 70.—
1 cigarette RM -.30
1 pr shoes RM 400.— - 500.—
In regard to all these prices, however, it must not be forgotten that the majority of the scales being executed by means of barter.
The Armed Forces And Increases in Prices
Besides the lack of consumer goods, the German soldier is also responsible for the outrageous prices, because by uncontrollable means he is obtaining funds from home besides his pay, which in army of a million men add up to an imposing sum. Every expert of the conditions knows that the doughboy will today pay any price, because the additional food items are more import to him than money. The suggestion, made to the reporter by various economic inspectorates, that the soldier in future should receive no Reichskreditkassenscheine, but shall receive a type of substitute money for purchasing in post exchange [Marketendereien], can only then be carried out, if the post exchanges can offer to the soldier additional food items, which he would otherwise obtain in the black market.
The opportunity for the combat soldier to acquire additional food items or to purchase them for the homefront must not be hampered, it must not be forgotten, that this combat soldier decides the war.
The Combat Soldiers as the Bearer of Useful Barter.
It is therefore regrettable, that town commanders often punish the soldier severely, who exchanges tobacco goods or minor items of consumer goods which he receives from home, for food items with the local population. It has to be considered that the consumer goods in question are in most cases rubbish of the German household, items which can be foregone by the homefront, but which such as needles, twine, pocket knives, nails, combs, etc., are necessary in the eastern territory and bring good will. The combat soldier, who carried out this barter, procures additional food for the front and/or to the homefront, and at the same time supplies to the East the most necessary consumer goods, which cannot be supplied in general today by German authorities.