| A message epitomising the “carry-on” spirit during the Blitz, posted up behind a fruit stall in East London. The sign reads “Hitler’s bombs can’t beat us – our oranges came through Musso’s lake.” Contrary to the belief that civilian populations could not withstand sustained bombing, the British continued the war with high public morale. Here, Londoners line up to buy fresh fruit. Note the sign saying the oranges came through “Mussolini’s lake” – the Mediterranean. Despite fruit not being rationed, imported fruits such as bananas and oranges were obviously hard to come by at all. In London, it was almost cause for celebration when the greengrocer had stock. Prices of homegrown produce varied a great deal. Winifred “Vere” Hodgson (April 1, 1901 – December 10, 1979) recorded in her diary in February 1941, “Bought a pound of apples yesterday for one shilling…what a price. No oranges at all, at all. Very annoying.” On January 17, 1945, Hodgson wrote, “Oranges in Notting Hill today. Not unpacked, but I could return. I spread the good news.” Rationing continued until 1954. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0298.jpg |
| Image Size | 523.81 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2130 x 1702 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | Press Agency photographer |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | September 1, 1940 |
| Location | |
| City | London |
| State or Province | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Archive | Imperial War Museum |
| Record Number | HU 671 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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