Final answer:
Mr. Kraler's reference to his ration books as part of the "white market" indicates they were legally obtained and used, distinguishing them from the "black market." Ration books were essential during WWII for the legal purchase of scarce goods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mr. Kraler refers to his ration books as part of the "white market" to differentiate from the illicit "black market." During the period of German occupation and in Allied countries during World War II, goods and food were strictly rationed due to scarcity and the need to support the war effort. Ration books were issued to civilians to enable them to legally purchase limited amounts of essential items, such as meat, sugar, and gasoline, adhering to the imposed regulations. The "white market" implied legal, government-sanctioned channels for obtaining rationed goods, as opposed to the "black market," where these goods were often traded illegally at inflated prices. Rationing was essential to ensure equitable distribution of scarce resources and support the soldiers fighting in the war.