Posted on 02/25/2014 4:10:21 AM PST by naturalman1975
Napoleon famously said that 'an army marches on its stomach', but who knew that soldiers from across the world would be powered by such a diverse range of foodstuffs including Tabasco sauce for the British and a shot of alcohol for the Italian troops?
Operational ration packs including canned, freeze-dried or pre-cooked food are dished out to many servicemen and women on the front line, providing enough food to get them through 24 hours and millions of pounds have been spent on making them as appetising as possible, with gadgets including heaters to warm the meals also included in the packs.
British troops serving in Afghanistan find themselves tucking into favourites from home including chicken tikka masala, vegetarian pasta and jam-filled biscuits, as well as familiar brands such as Typhoo tea and Kenco coffee with a tiny bottle of Tabasco sauce to spice up their meals.
Although the French used to include red wine with their ration packs they now must make do with venison pate and duck confit, as it is now only the Italians who are provided with any type of alcohol in the form of a miniature measure of 40 per cent alcohol 'cordiale' .
Estonian troops snack on smoked sprats, stuffed peppers and halva, while German forces enjoy liver sausage spread and rye bread.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
When the French were supplying DienBienPhu by air, they included a wine concentrate called Vinogel. They also had to deal with the diet of their Muslim troops (from Morocco, Algeria)...
Venison pate, a cassoulet with duck confit, a Creole-style pork dish, fish soup, a chocolate pudding and a Dupont D’Isigny caramel?
Man! I was in the wrong military LOL
Bump!
Thank goodness I was not in the Spanish military.
Their rations look awful.
My first reaction to the Spanish one was “Five condoms - I’d need a lot more food if they wanted me to use all of those in a day!”
I think they are actually fuel tablets.
The Brits also get a beer ration and a ration of Pursers rum.
LOL
bfl
I was lucky - I never had to eat Ham & Muthas.
Didn't have to eat field rations very often - to the extent that when I did it seemed a bit of a treat. My hat goes off to those serving in environments where they become the norm.
South Korean troops get kimchee in their mess.
Yeah, I would have loved some Tabasco sauce in my c-rats!..........................
Why? That would give away their position!......................
They weren’t all that bad if could get them hot and melt that thick layer of grease on top. Otherwise a quick case of the trots.
Yep. Those C-Rations I had to endure for half of my career sure did not sound, or taste, half as good as some of the rations form the other countries.
P.S. Never eat the eggs!
Goose liver and rye bread, ( Homer Simpson drool)
I’ve never seen wine in French rations, although they were allowed to fill their canteens with it, but their rations did contain a small bottle of Brandy, and a full pack of cigarettes (along with the cans of cheeses and of Pate, of course)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.