T  
                                         October 4, 1944    
 
                      TO-   Mr.Taylor                       
 
                       FROM: Mr. Barr                       
 
                                                            
 
 
Reference in this memo confines itself to the area in Italy  
released by the military to the Italian Government and does not refer to   
         the combat zone or zone of communication.          
 
                                                            
 
 
As a result of observation of conditions in the area surrounding the   
former battle zone between the Gustav and Hitler lines the following basic   
                conditions seem to prevail:                 
 
                                                            
 
 
 A. Stock piles of basic necessary food supplies in the area  
                      are non-existent.                     
 
                                                            
 
 
  B. Daily importations of grain or flour, oil, meat, vegetables   
and milk are not at present adequate or have been adequate to meet the   
                  daily need of the area.                   
 
                                                            
 
 
  C. There is a complete absence of trade or movement on the  
part of the Italian merchants to areas of surplus. Although the Allied   
Control Commission states that a grain ration of 160 grams, or a bread   
ration of 200. grams, is being made to the population of the devastated   
area, the facts do not bear out this claim. During the month of September   
in the province of Frosinone the average grain ration per person for   
the month was less than 40 grams. It is true that the Allied Control   
Commission issued a daily bread or grain ration of from 160 to 200 grams   
but only made the issue ten days out of the thirty. In the area controlled   
by the Commissioner of the devastated area, including the communities of   
Pontecorva, Ceprano, San Germano, Santa Lucia, Cassino and other communes   
and fractions, no bread or grain had been delivered or sold in the area   
for the seven-day period preceding August 29. In the month of September in   
this area one ration of meat, amounting to 200 grams has been issued to   
the population. Less than a litre of oil per person had been issued during   
the month of September, and there was no supply of farina or food   
concentrate. This area the scene of complete distruction for months, has   
absolutely no resource for food as all fruit trees, farms and fields and   
live stock are completely destroyed. Likewise, the fields are strewn with   
thousands of mines preventing even the use of grass and herbs. In addition   
to these factors, a portion of the devastated area is now completely   
isolated because of an absence of bridges and roads. Lt. McMillan of the   
Allied Control Commission, Agricultural Officer for Frosinone Province,   
                            and