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In the photo with the German mess kit (and soup being served), I've never before seen the kit set up as seen on the table. Does the top section handle actually hold the smaller pot like that? And if so, how is it supposed to be used like that?

RockyRaab wrote: Does the top section handle actually hold the smaller pot like that? And if so, how is it supposed to be used like that?

That one?



Yes, the inner cup has a square shape hole where the handle fits in. This is, to carry it

(Austrian Army photo, but the kits are very similar)

Well, I'll be dingled. I've seen a few of those mess kits for sale in our local milsurp store. (Motto: We have everything you need - if we can find it) But I'd never seen them assembled for proper use. Pretty clever -- but then they ARE German, nichtwahr?

That style of mess kit is European in nature.
Most of the European countries use similar concepts like the german mess kits except England that uses similar kits like the US.

I guess the main reason is, this mess kit was in use after WW1 and most former German Axis countries like Austria, Norway, Sweden but also Korea are still using it until today. Even the neutral Switzerland uses a very similar looking one. The communistic East Germany also used that mess kit and also the Russian didn´t "steal" our StGW44 only to make their own AK47, they also copied our mess kit

You can stand or hang the "pot" right into a fire and cook something in, same with the cup

See? That's just another example of "common knowledge" where regular users of some basic bit of gear just assume everybody knows how to use it. Except that people who've not used it - don't.

Another example is MOLLE gear. It is NOT intuitive how all those little loops of tape are used. Somebody has to show you. Or, closer to topic, how to heat and eat an MRE. Can't tell you how many "first-timer" vids I've watched where the first thing they do is add water to the FRH - and then discover that the thing emits painful steam RIGHT NOW, and they can't get the pouch into the heater without burning their fingers. Or they're forced to eat a cold side dish because they heated just the entree and the FRH died before they inserted the side dish.

I never had the *pleasure* of using a mess kit during my Military service, just paper type trays and plastic utensils here. Looking back would have been just another pain in the ass to lug around an additional 1lb. though....

cavguy wrote: just paper type trays and plastic utensils here.

The Greens would kill our Secretary of Defense if he orders to use paper/plastic and just dump it. So mess kit´s are still in use today.
Even at music festivals you never get plastic cups/plates but ceramic/glass and have to pay deposit...
But you are right, it´s more weight to carry around

From what i've read, during WW1 and WW 2, The Axis (Germany Et All) favored soups, stews and lots of fresh bread.
You can feed a bunch, using simple cookers (Goulashcannon).
Very hard to eat a steak with any version of a mess kit.
The US diet was more meat and less bread, and hardly any soup..

You are 100% right, still today.