German Army ration: 1900
- jfko6
- Posts: 2070
- Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 5:49 pm
- eBay name: jfk9
- Location: North East Region - U.S.A
- Contact:
German Army ration: 1900
I completed a long study of German occupation of West Africa around 1900-1915, a study that may be considered a catalyst leading up to World War 1. Long story short... the German Army military campaign against the aboriginal peoples did not go as smoothly as anticipated; chasing enemy soldiers into the desert, capturing of enemy soldiers; problems with the prison system, malnutrition and so forth. The effort and push was constituted around the Schlieffen Plan.
With such a large push into enemy territory, there wasn’t enough suitable supplies to sustain the effort. Horses could not be sustained for long distances. There was a need for better nutrition and needed adjustments to keep prisoners alive and the German Army sustained. These assessments were made by Wehrmacht doctors.
One of the ration components in their ration kit circa 1900 + was Zwieback bread. It’s not in U.S. Rations of course, as members are aware. Are these biscuits ration components in current use in other active armies?
With such a large push into enemy territory, there wasn’t enough suitable supplies to sustain the effort. Horses could not be sustained for long distances. There was a need for better nutrition and needed adjustments to keep prisoners alive and the German Army sustained. These assessments were made by Wehrmacht doctors.
One of the ration components in their ration kit circa 1900 + was Zwieback bread. It’s not in U.S. Rations of course, as members are aware. Are these biscuits ration components in current use in other active armies?
Last edited by jfko6 on Wed Jun 17, 2020 2:46 pm, edited 3 times in total.
The Long Gray Line
U.S. Army Veteran
Duty * Honor * Country
American Legion Legionnaire
Re: German Army ration: 1900
Likely similar to ww2 zwieback which shares no resemblance to modern day crackers of the same name.
http://www.dererstezug.com/PackagingForZwieback.htm
http://www.dererstezug.com/PackagingForZwieback.htm
All the best, Gents.
- I'm also making videos mainly for my own enjoyment, but hey, maybe you might want to check them out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-9gp ... C1dSyPX0w/
- I'm also making videos mainly for my own enjoyment, but hey, maybe you might want to check them out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-9gp ... C1dSyPX0w/
- jfko6
- Posts: 2070
- Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 5:49 pm
- eBay name: jfk9
- Location: North East Region - U.S.A
- Contact:
Re: German Army ration: 1900
We could get a discussion going, Smitty. I don’t think the bread fits into the category of a “cracker,” however, like the large items in US MRE’s. Could be wrong.
Very good article. Will spend some time on it.
Very good article. Will spend some time on it.
The Long Gray Line
U.S. Army Veteran
Duty * Honor * Country
American Legion Legionnaire
Re: German Army ration: 1900
"Zwieback" ist not a cracker or kind of. "Zwieback" means "baked two times" ("Zwie-" old word for "zwei" = "2").
Bake it two times "removes" all moisture out of the bread so Zwieback lasts "for ever" and make it very, very crisp. I still eat it today
See German (child´s version) of "How it´s made"
Bake it two times "removes" all moisture out of the bread so Zwieback lasts "for ever" and make it very, very crisp. I still eat it today
See German (child´s version) of "How it´s made"
Re: German Army ration: 1900
You guys really are getting hung up on my use of cracker here. The article boys. That’s my point. Modern is not likely historical.
All the best, Gents.
- I'm also making videos mainly for my own enjoyment, but hey, maybe you might want to check them out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-9gp ... C1dSyPX0w/
- I'm also making videos mainly for my own enjoyment, but hey, maybe you might want to check them out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-9gp ... C1dSyPX0w/
- jfko6
- Posts: 2070
- Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 5:49 pm
- eBay name: jfk9
- Location: North East Region - U.S.A
- Contact:
Re: German Army ration: 1900
Having read the article, it’s clear some things got lost and the authors are not 100% certain what they looked like or, packaging used, but may be close to the truth.
The example I used was a remote section in Africa. You can imagine the difficulty for items to remain extant.
Some pastries from France never change form. Some foods become a derivative of an ancient custom.
It’s fortunate for us the Zwieback wasn’t lost forever.
The example I used was a remote section in Africa. You can imagine the difficulty for items to remain extant.
Some pastries from France never change form. Some foods become a derivative of an ancient custom.
It’s fortunate for us the Zwieback wasn’t lost forever.
The Long Gray Line
U.S. Army Veteran
Duty * Honor * Country
American Legion Legionnaire
- jfko6
- Posts: 2070
- Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 5:49 pm
- eBay name: jfk9
- Location: North East Region - U.S.A
- Contact:
Re: German Army ration: 1900
Zwieback
Surprised to find Zwieback bread at my local commissary.
Surprised to find Zwieback bread at my local commissary.
The Long Gray Line
U.S. Army Veteran
Duty * Honor * Country
American Legion Legionnaire
Re: German Army ration: 1900
But now you need to find the period correct style
All the best, Gents.
- I'm also making videos mainly for my own enjoyment, but hey, maybe you might want to check them out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-9gp ... C1dSyPX0w/
- I'm also making videos mainly for my own enjoyment, but hey, maybe you might want to check them out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-9gp ... C1dSyPX0w/
Re: German Army ration: 1900
the Canadian IMPs did have a similar bread in th rations back in the mid 1990s.
it was packed 4 slices in a plastic poch if im not wrong.
picture from web cheers ken
it was packed 4 slices in a plastic poch if im not wrong.
picture from web cheers ken