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Pre WW 2 Irish Military Rations
Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:24 pm
by Michael
Does anyone have any information on the contents of past rations of the Army of the Republic of Ireland? This would be from the 1920's and 1930's, from the founding of the Irish Republic to the outbreak of World War Two. I found some information about military supplies and equipment, however rations they used weren't mentioned and I doubt they'd be using imported British food packs.
Also, the locations of any old Irish Army military manuals, military or civilian museums and libraries in Ireland or elsewhere, ect., would also be helpful.
Re: Pre WW 2 Irish Military Rations
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:48 am
by donaldjcheek
Michael,
At the time, I don't think the Irish had any specialized field rations. Neither, in fact, did the British, German, or any other major army. Almost all armies used some version of the "bully beef and biscuit" (the famous iron ration) in situations where the troops could not receive prepared meals. Only the US Army, with its concentrated Emergency Ration ("tobacco tin ration") departed from this basic canned meat & hard cracker strategy.
Most militaries of the time delivered cooked meals to troops in the field, with some version of the Iron Ration consumed when this was not possible. Not until WW2 would specially prepared ration packages be available for combat troops.
My educated guess is that the Oglaigh na hEireann ate from field kitchens most of the time, with corned beef and hard bread issued for emergency situations.
Regards
Donaldjcheek