---
title: Bones Help to Fire the Guns - Put Out More Bones and Save More Ships
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-bones-help-to-fire-the-guns-1939/
description: Two artillery shells sit beside a red panel showing bones, under the line 'Bones help to fire the guns' and a claim that 50,000 tons of bones are wasted
section: Collection
---

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3. Bones Help to Fire the Guns - Put Out More Bones and Save More Ships

[![Bones Help to Fire the Guns - Put Out More Bones and Save More Ships, 1939 UK poster: Two artillery shells sit beside a red](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-bones-help-to-fire-the-guns-1939.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-bones-help-to-fire-the-guns-1939.jpg)

# Bones Help to Fire the Guns - Put Out More Bones and Save More Ships

Two artillery shells sit beside a red panel showing bones, under the line 'Bones help to fire the guns' and a claim that 50,000 tons of bones are wasted each year. The tell for transfer is the pairing of kitchen scrap with the shells so that the weapon's purpose attaches to the act of saving bones; the request is a household salvage one.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Transfer](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/transfer/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
Bones help to fire the guns

EXPLOSIVES CAN BE MADE FROM BONES. WE HAVE TO IMPORT
THESE BECAUSE 50,000 TONS ARE WASTED EVERY YEAR

PUT OUT MORE BONES
AND SAVE MORE SHIPS

PRINTED FOR H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE BY W. R. ROYLE & SON LTD., LONDON, E.C.4. 51-3519
```

[← Blood Donors Wanted - Your Blood Can Save the Life of Someone...Somewhere](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-blood-donors-wanted-someone-somewhere-1939/) [Bristles Are Scarce, Brushes Are Precious (Ministry of Supply No. 114) →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-bristles-are-scarce-brushes-are-precious-1939/)

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