Ever wonder what a World War II soldier ate? A soldier at the front lines ate K-rations, which were three individually wrapped boxed meals. Breakfast consisted of biscuits, canned ham and eggs, a cereal bar, a fruit bar, powdered coffee, sugar, water purification tablets, chewing gum, and cigarettes. Dinner (lunch) consisted of a canned cheese product, biscuits, caramels, a powdered beverage, sugar, salt, chewing gum, and cigarettes. Supper consisted of canned meat, biscuits, a bouillon cube or powder, a chocolate bar, powdered coffee, sugar, cigarettes, and toilet paper. All meals came with a twist key or can opener and a wooden spoon. The meals gave soldiers about 3,000 calories a day, which for many in intense situations was not enough.
Soldiers who were not at the front lines and had more time for meal preparation ate C-rations, and soldiers in emergency situations ate D-rations, which contained heat-resistant chocolate bars fortified with vitamins. Sounds appetizing, right? Love how Uncle Sam made sure our soldiers got their Lucky Strikes!
“Like Sheffield, the country and soldiers everywhere now turned their eyes toward Japan. James’s next letter both rejoiced over the possible end of C-ration stew and hash and contemplated his more than likely move to the Pacific front.”
Songbird, Chapter 54