Best or Favorite Mess kits - Page 3

macrusk · #51 (**permalink**) March 13th, 2008, 06:29 PM

Part 3 from posting #50

A great deal of time is spent reading directions and experimenting with methods of heating the contents of cans of “M & V” (meat and vegetable stew), “Steak & Kidney Pudding” (a can lined with thick dough and filled with a solidified concoction posing as chopped beef and kidney), “Sultana Pudding” (resembling a dried-out fruit cake that can be sliced and eaten cold with slices of canned cheddar), and “Treacle Pudding” (a caramel-coated creation that is especially pleasant when warmed up). One thing you quickly learn is that if the contents of a can requires heating to be really palatable, then it must be heated through and through – something not easily accomplished in the case of the “Steak and Kidney Pudding,” due, you suspect, to the efficient insulation provided by the thick mass of dough lining the tin and surrounding the glutinous mess within.

It won’t be long before repetition destroys all enjoyment of these rations, but so far Compo meals have been in some ways superior to many past meals developed by the cooks from fresh rations. A notable exception was breakfast the first morning: pre-cooked bacon. Cold, it plopped out of the can in a sickly white, cylindrical blob. Heated, it turned into liquid grease, which when poured off left a pitiful residue of red strings representing the lean meat that had streaked the fused rashers.

In each box there are two tins of “Boiled Sweets” (hard candies that contain no sugar), small slabs of very hard and remarkably tasteless chocolate (one per man per day), and two tins of cigarettes, one flat and one round, allowing seven cigarettes per man per day.

But, unquestionably, the feature of Compo rations destined to be remembered beyond all others is Compo tea: tea made from tea leaves already mixed with powdered milk and powdered sugar,. Directions say to “sprinkle powder on heated water and bring to the boil, stirring well, three heaped teaspoons to one pint of water.”

Every possible variation in the preparation of this tea is being tried, but so far it always ends up the same way. While still too hot to drink, it is a good-looking cup of strong tea. Even when it becomes just cool enough to be sipped gingerly, it is still a good-tasting cup of tea, if you like you tea strong and sweet. But let it cool enough to be quaffed and enjoyed, and your lips will be coated with a sticky scum that forms across the surface, which if left undisturbed will become a leathery membrane that can be wound around your finger and flipped away like something made of gutta-percha.”

JCFalkenbergIII · #52 (**permalink**) March 13th, 2008, 07:43 PM

Im still waiting to see about the Italian Army personal espresso machines. LOL

JCFalkenbergIII · #53 (**permalink**) March 16th, 2008, 08:05 PM

Assault Lunch
The need for a lightweight, small, and concentrated ration to provide assault troops with an easily carried prepared food, which would bridge the gap between the beginning of actual combat and the restoration of normal supply functions, became evident during the amphibious campaigns in the Pacific in 1944. An early improvisation of such a ration packed in the Hawaiian Islands included such commercial products as hard candy, chocolate bars, gum, cigarettes, and matches. The packet was assembled in a waterproof, flexible bag and distributed to troops just prior to the assault landings. The candy theme was followed in the subsequent development of the Assault Lunch. Progress was accelerated late in 1944 when the military characteristics for such a lunch were defined by the Army Ground Forces. An assault ration, AGF stated, should provide 1,500 to 2,000 calories; be unaffected by temperatures ranging between -60 F. and 130 F.; be packaged to protect contents from mold, moisture, rough handling, and pilferage, be easy to open and remain stable for six months. During the period preceding the specification, consideration was given to adding fruit Juices, soluble coffee, and compressed cereal but such items were not in the end included.56 As specified, the Lunch contained chocolate bars, caramels, dried fruit (prunes and raisins), chewing gum, peanuts, salt tablets, cigarettes, matches, and water-purification tablets. The components were placed compactly in a plastic-film packet with an adhesive-tape reclosable feature. Forty-five packets were packed in a 6½-gallon metal drum for shipment and distribution.
Because the item came at the close of hostilities, its effectiveness was never fully established. In September 1947, the specification was cancelled for the cryptic reason that the item was "no longer required for quartermaster supply." 57
Type X Ration
A "confidential" specification for Ration, Type X was issued early in 1944. 58 This ration was intended as an assault-type item to be issued to troops 'just before or during invasion." Components were K biscuits, chocolate or D bars, bouillon powder, soluble coffee, fruit bars, sugar, gum, hard candy, canned meat, and multi-vitamin tablets. Packaging designated a partial assembly of components in a water-vapor-resistant box. The entire ration was packed in a wax-dipped or wax-paper-wrapped carton. The theme of secrecy was carried out in the labeling requirements which stated that "there shall be no labels, printing, or identifying marks of any kind on any packaging materials for this ration nor on any component parts of the ration." It was reported that 600,000 rations were procured in December 1943 and an additional 250,000 in December 1944. No results of tests or field experiences are contained in the records, probably because the participation of SR&DL was limited to preparing the packaging requirements for the specification. The X ration may have some claim to being a predecessor of the Assault Lunch in purpose but there the resemblance ends. This "confidential" item proved to be one of the rations of World War II which was developed for a special purpose and then disappeared.

Army Rations-Historical Background

JCFalkenbergIII · #54 (**permalink**) March 20th, 2008, 04:12 AM

Also has any of out WWII Vets here had the opportunity to try the rations of our allies or enemy?

JCFalkenbergIII · #55 (**permalink**) March 22nd, 2008, 08:38 PM

Hey Skipper? Any finds on the French "rations de combat" for WWII yet?

JCFalkenbergIII · #56 (**permalink**) March 24th, 2008, 04:24 PM

Parachute Emergency Ration
The predecessor to the parachute emergency ration used in the latter part of World War II was the bailout ration procured by the Air Forces in 1942. The bailout was designed as a survival item to be contained in the parachute pack and used after emergency parachute landings. In the final procurement in 1943, it included a combination of D bars, fruit bars, hard candy, lemon-juice powder, and K biscuits. After 1943, the bailout was abandoned in favor of the "ration, parachute, emergency," a pack designed to fit the pocket of the Air Force emergency vest. The components for the new parachute pack included sweet chocolate, hard candy, dehydrated cheese and crackers, bouillon cubes, sugar, cigarettes, water-purification tablets, soluble coffee, chewing gum, and a small cellophane bag to contain the uneaten food after the can had been opened. The ration weighed 11½ ounces and contained about 1,062 calories.69 The parachute ration went through the war without major change and remained in official standing until February of 1952 when the specification was cancelled.70
Airborne Lifeboat Ration
An airborne lifeboat ration was developed in 1944 to meet an Air Force requirement for a ration suitable for stowing in lifeboats dropped from aircraft to survivors of airplane ditchings or parachute drops over water. Initial requirements of the ration were governed by the storage space allotted for the purpose within the lifeboat. As standardized, the packaged ration contained food for two men for one meal, each package including a breakfast and supper unit. Two menus or component groupings lent variety to the units. The breakfast menu included a B unit from the C ration, a canned meat-food combination (four types were specified), condensed soup, matches, and toilet paper. In the supper menu, the B units and meat items were augmented with liferaft rations. Each menu was packaged in a fiberboard container and stowed in the lifeboat at the boat manufacturer's plant.71 The ration was unchanged in composition during the period it was in production. Procurement was halted in 1944 and development discontinued. The specification was cancelled in 1949.
Liferaft Ration
The request of a commercial airline for a ration to be used on liferafts has been cited by a World War II historian as the origin of the Liferaft ration.72 Although the quartermaster Corps produced a four-pound ration comprised of nine items suitable to the purpose in view, the ration was not adapted to Army use because of its bulk. A highly concentrated ration, weighing less than one pound and occupying a space not greater than 6 by 2 by 4 inches, was suggested as a substitute for the commercial prototype. To meet these physical requirements and on the supposition that food of high carbohydrate content was most satisfactory for sustaining life when water intake was restricted, the quartermaster Corps developed the confection Ration, Liferaft. The confections selected were fruit-flavored hard-candy tablets. Ten packages of these candies were contained in a key-opening, rectangular metal can approximately 4 by 3 by 3 inches in size. Chewing gum and six B-complex vitamin tablets were included to utilize all the can's space.73 Directions for use printed on the can declared that "one to two packages of candy and one vitamin pill should be eaten each day by each man-chewing the gum will help keep your mouth clean." Additional instructions appeared on a printed sheet placed in the can. They assured the user that the contents were "the best solid food for eating while living on a liferaft," directed him to eat two packages of candy and one vitamin pill each day, informed him how long the ration would last and how to open the bag for unused components, and instructed him not to open a second can until the contents of the first were used. They also told him to conserve the ration if he was successful in catching fish.74
A "lifeboat and liferaft ration" was procured as early as 1942 for use by the Coast Guard and the merchant marines. Components included C biscuits, pemmican, chocolate tablets, and milk tablets. Packaging was in airtight containers. Components were purchased by the Chicago quartermaster Depot for shipment to depots or ports where the complete ration was assembled under the supervision of the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation.75

Army Rations-Historical Background

JCFalkenbergIII · #57 (**permalink**) March 29th, 2008, 05:48 AM

Not exactly Military rations LOL.

WWII recipes from the Ministry of Food

Last Updated: 1:10am GMT 29/03/2008

Two recipes by Marguerite Patten, a home economist at the Ministry of Food during the Second World War:
WOOLTON PIE
Ingredients:
advertisement

1 lb each of diced potatoes, cauliflower, swedes and carrots;
Three or four spring onions;
One teaspoonful of vegetable extract;
1 oz of oatmeal or rolled oats.
Method:
Dice and cook the potatoes, cauliflower, swedes and carrots in boiling salted water.
Strain, but keep three-quarters of a pint of the vegetable water.
Arrange the vegetables in a large pie dish or casserole. Add the vegetable extract and the rolled oats or oatmeal to the vegetable liquid. Cook until thickened and pour over the vegetables.
Add three or four chopped spring onions.
EGGLESS SPONGE
Ingredients:
6 oz self-raising flour with one level teaspoon of baking powder, or 6 oz plain flour with three level teaspoons of baking powder
2.5 oz margarine
2 oz sugar
1 level tablespoon golden syrup
A quarter of a pint of milk, or milk and water
Jam for filling
Method:
Sift the flour and baking powder. Cream the margarine, sugar and golden syrup until soft and light, add a little flour, then a little liquid.
Continue like this until it is a smooth mixture. Grease and flour two 7in sandwich tins and divide the mixture between the two. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until firm to touch, just above the centre of a moderately hot oven.
Turn out and sandwich with jam.

WWII recipes from the Ministry of Food - Telegraph

JCFalkenbergIII · #58 (**permalink**) April 1st, 2008, 12:59 AM

I may have to try these out

.

JCFalkenbergIII · #59 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2008, 04:31 AM

"Rations as a Factor in Paratroop Efficiency" from Intelligence Bulletin

A report on German paratrooper rations, from the Intelligence Bulletin, June 1944.
[Editor's Note: The following article is wartime information on enemy tactics and equipment published for Allied soldiers. In most cases, more accurate data is available in postwar publications.]

RATIONS AS A FACTOR IN PARATROOP EFFICIENCY

It is popularly but wrongly supposed that German paratroopers are granted special ration privileges at all times. Membership in German parachute units (as in the case of U.S. Army parachute units) is on a voluntary basis, and in this connection the Germans put out a good deal of propaganda about special rations, to attract volunteers. The truth is that enemy paratroops receive special rations only just before actual parachute operations. When these soldiers are to go into combat as ordinary infantrymen, no additional rations are issued.
However, the specially planned rations that are given to German paratroopers prior to jumping (both in training and in combat) have a significance, the importance of which will not escape the intelligent U.S. fighting man. These rations include items which are not only attractive to the Germans, thereby building morale, but which will actually increase the physical stamina of the paratroop personnel. Incidentally, the special rations, creating a heartier appetite, lead to greater consumption of ordinary food; although the latter may be less attractive, they are energy-giving and naturally help to improve physical fitness.
White bread and dairy products, such as milk and fresh eggs, are considered real luxuries by the German soldiers; these items normally are not issued to troops of the other arms and services as part of the regular diet. On the day that a jump is to be made, German paratroopers are given the following, in addition to their normal ration:
approx. .7 lb. white bread
approx. .25 lb. crackers
approx. .06 lb. butter
approx. 1 pt. fresh milk
1 fresh egg
A ration of an entirely different kind is issued on days when long flights are to be made. The Germans have studied the nutritional benefits of specialized rations, and have concluded that on long flights regular rations sit too heavily on the stomach. The rations described below are issued only when two flights of two hours duration are to be made, or a single flight lasting four hours or more.
approx. .16 lb. crystallized fruits
approx. .25 lb. crackers
approx. .01 lb. sugar
approx. .04 lb. butter
1 bar of chocolate substitute
Analysis of this ration indicates that it contains an abundance of energy-giving foods which will sustain an individual without causing gastric discomfort.
The Germans have adopted an iron ration which is intended to last for a three-day period during operations. This emergency ration is similar to those developed by the United States and Great Britain. A ration of this bulk can easily be carried on the person, and provides the necessary "lift" for a man to carry out the most arduous tasks. It consists of: 2 cans of sausage
2 cans of cheese
1 bar of chocolate substitute
1 package of crackers
6 packages of chewing gum
1 package of lemonade powder
1 package of coffee mixed with sugar
1 tablet of solid fuel for heating The iron rations are intended to make the German paratrooper self-sufficient for a limited period of time. Inclusion of the fuel tablet allows him to prepare a hot beverage, and yet maintain individual security precautions. This tablet burns for about 5 minutes, yielding a smokeless white flame 2 or 3 inches high.

Lone Sentry: Rations as a Factor in Paratroop Efficiency (WWII U.S. Intelligence Bulletin, June 1944)

JCFalkenbergIII · #60 (**permalink**) April 12th, 2008, 05:20 PM

It seems that this type of field cooking became the norm in later years. I have a couple og West German field stoves that I use for camping.

JCFalkenbergIII · #61 (**permalink**) April 19th, 2008, 04:58 PM

C-Rations Through WW II

The C ration, with a caloric value of 3700, was intended for operational needs of three to twenty-one days. This ration resulted from pre-World War II attempts to produce a stable, palatable, nutritionally balanced combat ration which would provide the individual soldier with three full meals per day.

C Rations, 1945.
Maj. W. R. McReynolds, first director (1936-38) of the U.S. Army Subsistance R&D Laboratory, proposed to supplement the pre-war "reserve ration" with a complete meal-such as beef stew, beef with noodles, family-style dinner, lamb stew, and Irish stew-packaged in 12-ounce rectangular cans.

FIELD RATIONS: C-RATIONS

JCFalkenbergIII · #62 (**permalink**) April 25th, 2008, 08:11 PM

Hospital Supplement
http://www.qmfound.com/army_rations_...background.htm

The hospital supplement was developed to provide easily digestible foods such as beverages, soups, and fruits to patients being treated at evacuation and base hospitals. Early in the war, a hospital ration was packed at the Cumberland quartermaster Depot to supply items for that purpose. Because of faulty packing of the items, the Subsistence Laboratory developed a better package in 1943 which contained the following items:

1 No.10 can of fruit

2 46-ounce cans of orange juice

20 14½-ounce cans of evaporated milk

1 2-lb. tin of coffee

1 5-lb. package of dehydrated soup

1 5-lb. bag of sugar

Procurement on the original requirements exceeded 87,000 cases in 1943 and 1944.

A 1944 revision recognized the pack as a "supplement" and made extensive additions and changes in the basic components. The new version substituted soluble coffee for the roasted and ground variety, powdered milk for evaporated milk, and condensed soups for dehydrated soups. Other components were premixed cereal, cocoa beverage powder, malted milk tablets, tea, and tomato juice. Added accessory items included toilet paper, plastic sippers, and paper towels. The complete supplement was packed in suitable wood boxes for shipment. Requirements for 175,000 cases of the "new" ration were filled before the war ended.
-

Hospital Supplement

JCFalkenbergIII · #63 (**permalink**) May 2nd, 2008, 12:01 AM

Australian WW2 Early War Ration Set A

This is another lot of Reproduction WW2 Rations, this time it is a set of Rations as used by Australians, Brits, New Zealanders, South Africans and, given half a chance, Germans and Italians during the North African campaigns, and most any front line between 1940-1943.

These reproductions were made up to supplement rations to our group of British WW2 Burma Campaign reenactors, as the Brits in Burma and elsewhere would utilize a virtual smorgasboard of mixed rations, ranging from locally procured food stuffs, over standard rations, such as 24 hour meal and Compo Rations to exotic items, such as US and Australian ration packs.

These would be perfect for most allied or axis reenactors running about in North Africa, Crete or the Balkans.

You get the following:

1 Tin of Corned Beef (better known as 'Bully Beef' to friend and foe alike). Comes in the tan-and-green early war Australian military labeled tin. Of course, this is the proper key-turn variety tin with the silver-coloured ends as made in Argentina for the Australian Armed forces to this day. Ready to "pour" from the tin when the temperatures reach 110 degrees and up!

2 Packs of Arnott's Plain Biscuits (These are military biscuits and not fancies)--Hard on the teeth but oh-so-filling! Sealed inside cello bags, inside the buff and properly labeled early war wrapper reminiscent of WW1 ANZAC fame. (3 ounces each)

1 Tin of Tuna in the proper buff-labeled "Diamond Brand" tin as seen in many pictures of Australian rations from the war. Fish was a vital component to rations for men in the desert, to receive plenty of protein in a not-so filling package, while delivering a bit more salt to the diet in order to encourage drinking of water.

3 packs of WEET BIX, Australia's favourite high-nutrition Cereal/biscuit. These can be eaten dry as a snack, or boiled with water and sugar, or, better yet, eaten in Milk (hot or cold) as an energy breakfast. Standard Aussie issue wrapper from the time period covers one serving each of these sealed inside an inner cello pouch.

1 Roll of Steam Rollers Mints in the buff war-time wrapper. These are actual Australian Steam Rollers as issued to troops, and will pleasantly surprise you folks if you don't care for the British or German mints that eat your lips off. These are mild and tasty, and were one of the favourites with all troops in the theatre, even inspiring some German mint makers to work on more pleasant mint varieties when some rolls made it back from the front!

1 pack of Indian "Sun" brand matches, which were both issued and sold through NAAFI outlets. They were cheap, plentiful and somewhat waterproof, and come in gastly hand-assembled and labeled wood and paper boxes, just like the originals!

1 Australian 3-in-1 pocket tin opener in its proper 1940 dated envelope. This opener will open cans, lift up caps, and serve as a spoon. The design is so clever, it is still in service today!
Australian WW2 Early War Ration Set B Tinned Tea Lot

This is another lot of Reproduction WW2 Rations, this time it is a set of Rations as used by Australians, Brits, New Zealanders, South Africans and, given half a chance, Germans and Italians during the North African campaigns, and most any front line between 1940-1943.

These reproductions were made up to supplement rations to our group of British WW2 Burma Campaign re-enactors, as the Brits in Burma and elsewhere would utilize a virtual smorgasboard of mixed rations, ranging from locally procured food stuffs, over standard rations, such as 24 hour meal and Compo Rations to exotic items, such as US and Australian ration packs.

These would be perfect for most allied or axis re-enactors running about in North Africa, Crete or the Balkans.

You get the following:

1 Tin of Service Blend Tea in the reclosable 3.1 ounce package. Lid is pry-up style, tea is properly atrocious, and label is standard Aussie Mil. This is where the mate who is good at making Billie tea can shine. (Yes, you use a tin (biscuit or otherwise) with a handle to make the tea in. After brewing it up, you swing it around to settle the leaves...This requires practice, mate!)

2 Packs of Arnott's Sweet Biscuits (These are military biscuits and not fancies)--Quite tasty with a spot of tea or coffee, or even as an energy snack inside your GP ammo pouch. Sealed inside cello bags, inside the buff and properly labeled wrapper. (4.5 ounces each)

1 Tin of sweetened condensed Milk in the proper compo ration wrapper. Even the flimsy rim tin is right! Brew up a mess of tea to share with your mates, or bribe the Gurkhas with this sweetened treat!

1 pack of "Hard Sweets". Similar to British Boiled Sweets, these red, green, orange, yellow and white "lollies" are intended as supplemental rations and energy food, and were a standard item found inside the pocket of most any Commonwealth trooper. 2 cello packs of one ounce each inside the properly marked outer package as issued with daily rations and flight rations.

Ration Packs from WW2

Falcon Jun · #64 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2008, 08:08 AM

Wow, JC, when you get interested in a topic, you really deliver lock, stock and barrel. As for my preference, the old WWII US mess kit type is the one I still use. It's handy, very durable and user-friendly.

JCFalkenbergIII · #65 (**permalink**) May 15th, 2008, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Jun

Wow, JC, when you get interested in a topic, you really deliver lock, stock and barrel. As for my preference, the old WWII US mess kit type is the one I still use. It's handy, very durable and user-friendly.

Well this originally started as a scarcastic jab at all the other "Best" kind of posts. But after awhile I realized that there really is alot of info out there on how and what the soldiers and civilians ate during the war and what innovations there were.