Before this zombie thread is demobbed once and for all and returned to civvie street (where, if it is really lucky, it will get one of the few prefab houses), may I heartily recommend a book that I just happen to be re-reading at the moment?
Maureen Waller’s superb “London 1945: Life in the Debris of War.”
http://www.powells.com/review/2005_04_19.html
Really examines the day-to-day struggles of people (especially women and children) in 1944-46 Britain, and is very detailed on the difficulty of the ration system (food, fuel and clothing), and housing. I can’t speak highly enough–also very, very readable.