What role did rabbits play in the Second World War?
Rabbits for Food
In Britain rabbits were an essential source of food for the population, at a time when merchant seamen were risking their lives importing food through perilous seas. The Government encouraged rabbit keeping, allocating rabbits their own bran rations, which were issued by an exiled Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries from the Hotel Glendower, Lytham St Anne’s. Rationing ended for both people and rabbits in 1953.
Angora wool was in demand for export, so Angora owners could “do their bit” without having to slaughter their rabbits. However, some crossed their Angoras with other breeds to provide meat rabbits, whilst keeping a small stock pure-bred for after the War.
Rabbit keeping was a solace
Rabbit shows continued throughout the War. It was “the expressed wish of the Government that recreations and entertainments should continue.” Morale was very important, and many shows raised money for the Red Cross. This picture was taken at the Bradford Show in 1943. Notice the Government propaganda in the background!
Rabbits served in the Armed Forces
Rabbits served as mascots in all branches of the Armed Forces. Muncher, a Naval rabbit, munched lettuce leaves on the platform of his “ack-ack” gun, during action. Bofors, the RAF rabbit, ran after the ball at his unit’s football matches, and chewed the men’s bootlaces in two in the billets. Eisenhower, an Army rabbit, landed with the Green Howards on D-Day and prisoners of war kept rabbits in Stalag 383 and Milag Nord.
The British Army in North Africa brought their pet rabbits, cats, monkeys and pigeons to the PDSA hospital in Abbasia, near Cairo.
Angora rabbits in Germany
Angora rabbits were important to the German Forces. The Luftwaffe had no less than half a million Angoras, whose wool provided their fighter pilots with warm underwear. Heinrich Himmler of the Waffen SS ran a more sinister programme. 31 concentration camps had Angora farms, with the rabbits cared for by the prisoners, and their wool provided warm clothing for the troops.
This Polish concentration camp was one of many with an Angora farm attached. Others included Dachau, Ravensbruck and Auschwitz.
How did rabbit keepers celebrate the end of the War?
By a special Victory Rabbit Show of course!
To find out more
“Breed for Victory! The Story of the Rabbit in the Second World War” is available from Fur and Feather https://furandfeather.co.uk/product/breed-for-victory-by-lesley-hordon/
