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. Following the old adage that, an army runs on its stomach, the Divisional Supply HQ unit/Quartermaster must be considered one of the most important of all the HQ units. 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.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Heavy, woven, white canvas construction provisions/supply bag portion that features a large black printed, national eagle with outstretched wings, clutching a wreathed, canted swastika in it’s talons to one side, while the opposite side reads "H.Verpfl. 1944" (Heeres-Verpflegung or Army Supply Service). The supply bag measures approximately 68cm x 102cm. There is one hole and a stain.