An item reported that according to the German press nearly 4,000 German sailors volunteered for service on board of the 75 Liberty ships which were to transport food from the USA to Germany.
The edition dated 17 July added more details. The US minister of war Patterson proposed the Congress to allow to fit out of American laid up Liberty ships and manning with German and Japanese sailors to transport food to their both countries. The department of war situated that manning of 75 Liberty ships with German sailors meant for the USA a saving of at least 14.000.000 dollar. The plan was originally made by former president Hoover and reported to president Truman after his economical mission to Austria and Germany.
The newspaper Zierikzeesche Nieuwsbode dated 1947 confirmed this latter item. However Hoovers’ report also included the chartering of vessels to be used as of fitted out for fishery purposes. If Germany possessed fishing vessels could her food supply be improved and became it possible to decrease the transport from the USA of high protein food. In the same manner could also be dealt with Japan.
