Most have probably heard those quotes in their lifetimes. There are conflicting reports as to who each one may or may not be attributed too. These are two truths and military leaders down through history have known this fact, felt the pangs of hunger, and then died of disease or starvation. Some saw it coming and pressed onwards only to die in a foreign land. Americans and their military leaders are no different. The U.S. Army realized early in our nation's history the value of keeping soldiers fed with calorie rich foods and a few luxuries added in the mix. This seemingly simple concept can go along way towards improving morale and combat effectiveness. Manufacturing, packaging, and distributing such rations has proved at times to be daunting logistical feat as anyone can imagine. I have always been interested in what American soldiers ate (good or bad) from the American Revolution till today. I have a very good friend who enjoys "building" authentic ration boxes, packaging, labels, etc. He makes various types of German WW2 field rations, iron rations, and specialty packages that the Germans provided to their wounded troops, Christmas treats, or sometimes a package of luxury items to take along when on furlough. My friend also makes various American WW2 rations (boxes, packages, labeling, wrapping paper, etc. ). He researches all the items and sometimes replicates the contents. Believe it or not, many of the items that comprised wartime rations are still available today and in some cases, the manufacturer of the item is the same. Anyhow, my ration hobbyist friend sent me this well written article from Beaches of Normandy Tours. I hope the readers find it as interesting as I.
A Marine heating up C-ration M-units and brewing coffee on Saipan
(Photo: U.S. military)
