What did WWII Soldiers Eat?

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Subtitles: Jose Mendoza | IG @worldagainstjose

PHOTO CREDITS

#tastinghistory #ww2

[TastingHistory]

I only speak about the US Army in this video. What other countries/branches of the military would you like to see covered?

[brotherZach-]

Retired Air Force cook here. We still make this, although it’s now made with ground beef and usually served with biscuits. Happy Veterans Day everyone!

[Kygaahh]

“Shit on a shingle” was my grandmas favorite response when asked what she was making for dinner. RIP Nina. ❤

[Jasonwolf]

You mentioned the rations eventually added pasta and sauce, and that reminds me that chef Boyardee, who was an actual person, converted his factories over to produce rations during the war and actually recieved an award for just how much food he produced for the troops.

[supergeek]

My grandfather lied about his age, and enlisted at age 16 during WW-I. Initially, they made him a cook's helper. Before Easter the menu (which was dictated from The War Department, in Washington DC) stipulated that they would be serving eggs. The only problem was that they only had two and a half dozen eggs --- to feed a company of over a humdred men!

When the time for Easter breakfast came, the cook was beside himself, because they hadn't received any more eggs, amd the men had really been looking forward to some eggs. My grandfather told him not to worry about it, and he scrambled what they had, and then "stretched" them with a 3 to 1 addition of milk and flour, seasoned up with a heavy amount of salt, pepper, and thyme. The head cook protested saying that the men wouldn't stand for it, to which my grandfather replied, "Don't worry about it. It's been so long since they've had an egg, that they won't know the difference."

As Easter morning breakfast was served, and the "scrambled eggs" were served up, the only complaints they received were from people not getting enough!

It's true: War is hell.

[xacex]

An MRE Steve-Max collab is the premium-quality content I didn't realise I needed in my life until right this very second. This has to happen - nice!

[adamparks]

As a former Army cook, you were pretty accurate with the history on this. We dont use dried beef anymore though, it's regular ground beef and I love that shit.

[libbyjensen]

My dad grew up very poor. He grew up during the depression and went into the army as soon as he graduated high school. To the day he died he loved this meal. He said when he got into the army and he got to eat this food it finally filled him up and he knew what it was like to have a full stomach. My husband also grew up poor and he has the same feeling. When he got into the army they were still serving this in the '80s. To this day he also still loves this food.

[brittanyhyatt]

Man this made me miss my grandpa so much. He was a police officer in the Army and served in WW2 over in London, which is where he met and married my grandma. I always LOVED hearing her talk with that posh British accent and thought she was just the coolest most beautiful woman I had ever seen 😍 My sweet grandpa fell head over heels for her (and vice versa) and they moved back to TN, where he was from, once the war was over. He was the kindest most gentlest man you could ever meet. I’d give anything for one more hug from him 💔

[VictoriaEMeredith]

I still love SOS. I can remember dad announcing, “It’s shit on a shingle!” and mom countering with, “It’s creamed chipped beef on toast!” for years until she gave up and called it SOS.

[gaugeray]

My father was a merchant marine, who spent 40 years at sea. This was his ABSOLUTE favorite dish to the day he died. Always wondered how it was made.

[martinriley]

Having served in the field, this is definitely comfort food. Out in miserable conditions such as cold / wet, any grub like this gave a sense of back home and normality, it was greatly appreciated. My entire squad could not wait for hot meals delivered in the field when we were lucky enough to receive it, real moral booster.

[uhuju]

it is lovely that you speak of how personal your Gramps made his stories because there is NOTHING more personal than food. Youre literally giving life to history and i love you for it.

[MonicaPrinceFam]

My Dad was one of 3 Black Navy photographers in Vietnam in the 60s. My sons loved hearing his stories and my oldest son went into the Navy. My Father is buried in Boulder, NV Veterans cemetery with my Mother. Thank you to the all those who serve and have served for you bravery.

[anonymousf]

I recall sitting around the table with my grandfather when I was a boy of maybe 7 or 8, and knowing he served in Korea, foolishly asked him "grandpa, did you ever kill anybody when you were in the war?" I will never forget the look he gave me and I knew I made a big mistake. He stood silent for a few seconds, no doubt remembering horrible scenes and atrocities from his tour of duty. Finally he looked me dead in the eyes and said "I dont know, probably. I was the cook".

[Mikemarquez]

The way you talk about your grandfather, you could tell he had a huge impact on your life and how much love you had for him. Had me in tears man, not gonna lie.

[CS-ywiu]

Not military, but I am an eagle scout. We used to eat SOS quite a bit when camping. After a long day of being in the sun and sweating, it’s a dang near perfect meal.

[melissat]

My veteran Grandfather wouldn’t talk about the war (WWII), except for the food. He used to make this recipe. It’s such a beloved memory sitting in the kitchen watching him cook it up, this video made me tear up. Thanks for this, Max!

[lynnwild]

My dad was a cook in the Marines in WW2. He made this all the time but with hamburger for us. I still make it today and i'm 73. I have found a new use for it and that is to add it to thick cut potato chips. Its delicious. I call it Gringo Nachos.

[feildpres]

She wasn't a Veteran, but my grandma would tell me stories about her life when she was a little girl, and she told it so well that it inspired in me a love of history, just like you and your grandfather. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story from your life, and thanks for another great video Max! You have one of the best channels on youtube!