Pre-war
1914
Outbreak of the war
1915
1916
1917
1918
End of the war
Post-war
Medium

Ration distribution on Köderhöhe, photo, 1915

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  • Chapter

    Provisioning the Troops – shortages, surrogates and hunger

    Provisioning on the front and at home was one of the central topics in the Feldpost (military postal service) correspondence of officers and troopers alike. It contains questions and worries about the adequate nourishment of the families at home, likewise recurring requests for food, tobacco, fresh underwear, warm clothes, boots and so forth. Meanwhile the letters were dominated by detailed descriptions of the daily bill o’ fare and the portions and rations. Above all, as the four war years wore on, the correspondence of the normal troopers increasingly featured descriptions of shortages, the poor quality of the food, and of hunger.