During World War II the Reichsgau of Danzig-West Prussia consisted of the former Free City of Danzig, a few districts of former East Prussia which had originally been German and large annexed Polish territories. The rationing of food introduced in Germany a few days before the begin of the war was extended immediately to the city of Danzig. In the remaining area of Danzig-West Prussia the rationing of food was introduced gradually in the course of the year 1941. The rationing system differed from the one operating in the old Third Reich by a coarser division in age categories and distinction between German and Polish consumers.