Marschverpflegung 1945

This is a German military food ration stamp created in February 1945. Though anonymous, the creator was undoubtedly implicated in the machinery of the Nazi military during World War II. This small piece of paper speaks volumes about the identities and experiences of soldiers during the war. It evokes the harsh realities of military life. Scarcity, control, and the reduction of human needs to mere sustenance are palpable in its design. Every stamp represents a day of nourishment, a day of survival within a brutal conflict. The stamp is a stark reminder of the intersection of identity and war. The concept of identity was twisted and weaponized by the Nazi regime. Soldiers became tools. The material is fragile, but it carries the weight of history. It reflects not only the physical hunger of the individual soldier, but also the larger hunger for power and domination that fueled the war. This simple artifact prompts us to reflect on how systems of power impact individual lives.