THE HUNGRY NATION-STATE
consumes the body parts of soldiers

Richard A. Koenigsberg

Limbless British Veterans after the First World War (Roehampton Military Hospital)

In the First World War, European societies—and many other societies throughout the world—offered up young men as “gifts” to the nation-state. These young man often gifted body parts.

Contemplating the dead warriors who had fallen during a First World War battle, French soldier J. Saleilles wondered if their “gift of blood” was not the “supernatural source of life which must be given to our country.”

Like a hungry vampire or shark, the nation feeds on—lives off—the body and blood of soldiers.

"Heroes" are men who have given their bodies to their nation. Death in battle is the “supreme sacrifice.” The photo above shows men who gifted only a part of their bodies—one or two (or three) limbs—and were able to preserve the rest of themselves.

"Where limbs were, there shalt nation be.” The absence of a body part conveys the presence of the nation.