"It is impossible for our working people to maintain their full strength if they do not succeed in obtaining a sufficient supply of fat, allotted to them on a proper basis"

Paul von Hindenburg’s statement directly connects the well-being and productivity of the working population to their access to adequate nutrition, specifically fat. During World War I, when Hindenburg served as a senior German military leader, food shortages became an acute problem. Hindenburg makes clear that without sufficient fat in their diet, workers are physically unable to perform at their highest capacity. He emphasizes fat rather than general food supplies; in early twentieth-century Europe, the caloric contribution of fats, such as butter, lard, or oil, was particularly crucial, as these supplied dense energy vital for manual labor. Shortages of fat were not just inconvenient but detrimental to the industrial output on which the war effort depended.

Hindenburg’s statement operates on both a practical and a psychological level. Practically, he acknowledges that the body requires certain nutrients for strength and stamina. Fat is essential for metabolic health, calorie storage, and endurance. Without it, laborers, especially those performing arduous tasks in factories and fields, would become fatigued and prone to illness. Psychologically, his words serve as a rallying call, not only highlighting the current struggle but also reinforcing the importance of equitable resource distribution. By mentioning allocation "on a proper basis", he implicitly critiques arbitrary or insufficient rationing systems, suggesting the state must ensure fair distribution of essential foods to uphold collective strength.

Moreover, the focus on workers reflects the centrality of labor in wartime society. As soldiers fought on the front, industrial and agricultural workers sustained the war effort at home. Any disruption to this labor could undermine military objectives. Hindenburg’s perspective is utilitarian but grounded in an understanding of social cohesion; neglecting the nutritional needs of workers could result in social unrest, strikes, or a decline in morale, all of which threatened national survival. Thus, sufficient fat rations were both a biological necessity and a pillar of societal stability during crisis.