For Ernst Guicking, it was France’s abundance that promised to rescue the newly-weds from the strictures of wartime rationing at home. In early August 1940, he was proud to send Irene a parcel of red and blue silk for her and some cloth to have a suit made for himself. Then came a knitted waistcoat, trousers, and 4 metres of the brown fabric for French uniforms: he advised her to have it dyed before having it made into overcoats.
