Supplies on the shelf are out of action! Let's get 'em back in the fight
U.S. Army supply-room poster: photographs of shelved boots, packs, canteens and crates frame a yellow panel with a pointing hand and 'Supplies on the shelf are Out of Action!', then four numbered rules. Idle stock is cast in combat terms ('out of action', 'back in the fight'), a transfer of battlefield language; the technique is faint here.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1944
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- U.S. Army, Army Conservation Project (SAVE Conservation Program)
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Military
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Own forces
- Purpose
- Mobilize or secure compliance
- Themes
- War and the military, Economy and finance
- Event
- World War II
- Regime
- Roosevelt administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Posters, retrieved October 4, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (U.S. government work)
U.S. Army. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-1830 (NAID 515509).
Text on the object
SUPPLIES on the SHELF are Out of Action! LET'S GET 'EM BACK IN THE FIGHT 1 Draw only NEEDED supplies. 2 Issue supplies promptly. 3 Turn in supplies not needed. 4 Requisition regularly and on time. U·S·ARMY SAVE CONSERVATION PROGRAM ARMY CONSERVATION PROJECT No. 82-P-12 [imprint: U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1944—O—590011] THIS POSTER TO BE DISPLAYED IN UNIT SUPPLY ROOM ONLY
