Figure 1.--We note children collecting scrap metal in March 1950. The image is not identified, but we believe it must come from East Germany. This practice happened during World War II, but we think this photo was taken in East Germany under Communist rule. Note the neckerchief of the boy, which I take to be a sign of the Young Pioneers. (We never see HJ boys wearing their scarves with regular clothes.) The date is from a Berlin archive, although it could be an estimate. The boys wear short trousers and long stockings, which also goes along with East Germany. I'm not sure whether this was a volunary effort or something organized by the Young Pioneers at school. It's interesting that girls are involved as well as boys. The kids look to be about 10-12 years old.

We note children collecting scrap metal in March 1950. The image is not identified, but we believe it must come from East Germany. This practice happened during World War II, but we think this photo was taken in East Germany under Communist rule. Note the neckerchief of the boy, which I take to be a sign of the Young Pioneers. (We never see HJ boys wearing their scarves with regular clothes.) The date is from a Berlin archive, although it could be an estimate. The boys wear short trousers and long stockings, which also goes along with East Germany. I'm not sure whether this was a volunary effort or something organized by the Young Pioneers at school. It's interesting that girls are involved as well as boys. The kids look to be about 10-12 years old. We are not sure how common collecting scrap in East Germany. We think the Soviets eventually supplied East German raw material needs. But right after the War, the Soviets were mostly interested in reparations. Eastr Germany had to import most of its raw material needs. The major coal mines were located in West Germany and metals like iron and copper had to be imported. Oil also had to be imported.

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Created: 7:32 AM 4/4/2011
Last updated: 7:32 AM 4/4/2011