Soviet militiaman (policeman) inspects corpses of comrades less well fed, siege of Leningrad.  A small number of good breaks (Finland's refusal to take part in the investment of the city, the preservation of limited rail communication between the southern Soviet Union and the area east of the city, communication across Lake Ladoga) ensured that the city did not starve completely.  However, the ability of the Soviet authorities to supply the city with food during the siege fell well, well short of what was required.  Many people literally starved to death, and the city authorities had to take precautions against the all-too-real phenomenon of cannibalism.  Best regards, JR.

Hell - Leningrad.

Young woman volunteer pilots tractor in ploughing, unknown wartime date.  The Women's Land Army ("Land Girls")  made a huge contribution to the British war effort by replacing male agricultural workers to the colours, or into vital industrial work (not that women were absent there, either).  As for the tractor - since agriculture in England, and in the south of Scotland and Wales, was conducted on an "industrial" scale to a greater extent than was generally the case on the Continent, it was relatively highly mechanized by 1939.  By 21st century standards, however, there was still significant reliance on (literally) horse power.  Propaganda/"public information" images, from both the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Food, subtly emphasized the presence of advanced agricultural machinery (mainly tractors) in British agricultural production.  This (naturally) extended to wartime "piggyback" advertising by private firms involved in what is now called "agribusiness".  I recall posting an advertisement for "Bovril" beef stock paste reflecting this.  Best regards, JR.

Women's Land Army - ploughgirl ...

Wren dispatch riders receiving instruction for their next journey. Some of the Wren riders are well known competition riders.
During WWII., the British Royal Navy created an all female corps whose members were nicknamed the Wrens. One of their most notable duties was as dispatch riders to take and bring messages for both the Admiralty and the Royal Navy. This turned out to be a tough assignment as German bombs made travel difficult...