BACKGROUND: During WWII the German army fielded a wide variety of different types of divisions generally designed and trained for specific tactical functions. Although the size, equipment and composition of the divisional units fluctuated greatly, the Divisional Headquarters staff remained quite consistent and was composed of three operational groups consisting of the Führungsabteilung, (Tactical Command Post HQ unit), the Adjutantur, (Personnel HQ Unit) and the Quartiermeister, (Supply HQ unit/Quartermaster). The Supply HQ unit/Quartermasters also included the divisional Administration, Medical, Veterinarian, and Transport officer’s and its main responsibility was the control of all supplies to the forward troops including all vehicle fuel, and lubricant requirements as well as ammunition, animal feed and rations. Regulations authorized each combat soldier a daily food ration which was brought forward by personnel of the Supply HQ unit/Quartermaster and was most commonly prepared in the field by a units mobile field kitchen and distributed to the front line troops although this wasn’t always possible in combat situations. As a result front line combat soldiers were to be supplied with a canned iron ration and some bread to be carried individually in the event that food from the field kitchen couldn’t reach their positions. The daily food regulations authorized each combat soldier between one half and three quarters of a loaf of whole-grain bread and in forward positions the bread was usually distributed in a cellophane bag to help keep it fresh.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Clear cellophane bag, 10cm x 28cm, with expanding side panels for the supplementary bread ration. The bag feature an opened end top and pink, printed Latin script to the obverse. The script consists of, "Zusatzverpflegung für Frontkämpfer im Infanterieverband", (Supplementary Rations for Front fighters in Infantry Units). Neat combat food accessory. Of Note: Although regulations dictated the daily quantity of rations issued to each soldier it became more and more difficult to meet the requirements as the war continued and any food became a valuable commodity. Due to the supply situation later in the war the bread ration was substituted with an assortment of ersatz or black breads containing a wide variety of grain fillers.