early field rations

[Preacher Jeremy]

Do any of you KNOW how far back that food was "canned" for food preservation, whether in glass or metal? satx

a short history of canned goods http://foodpreservation.about.com/...The-Brief-History-Of-Canning-Food.htm[/quote]

That was a interesting read. Thanks

 

[LongrifleDoc]

According to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canning
"In 1795 the French military offered a cash prize of 12,000 francs for a new method to preserve food. Nicolas Appert suggested canning, and the process was first proven in 1806 in tests conducted by the French navy. Appert was awarded the prize in 1810 by Count Montelivert, a French minister of the interior."

 

[satx78247]

THANK YOU.

yours, satx

 

[Coot]

Now check to see how long after the can it took to invent the can opener ...... :grin:

 

[satx78247]

One presumes that if there were cans in "Froggyland" that there must have been a way to open them. - If nothing else a good knife, chisel or axe.

Today's question: How many Frogs does it take to defend Paris?

yours, satx

 

[gearheart]

Not cans probably glass with wire bails and a gasket like the Grolsch beer bottles. Frogs defend Paris by being so obnoxious that invaders and tourists eventually leave. Swiss army knives have a corkscrew because the first place conquered is usually froggy land and you WILL get a chance to use it. :rotf:

 

[Junior1942]

My younger brother retired from the US army as a general, and he has a Ph.D in French military history, believe it or not. He would give you guys an argument on the French army :nono:

 

[satx78247]

Ask your brother that question & WHEN was Paris LAST successfully defended from an invading army.

yours, satx

 

[Sean Gadhar]

this might help as to cans http://inventors.about.com/od/cstartinventions/a/tin_can.htm

 

[cocuke]

Why was vinegar part of the rations early on? Did they use it differently than most of do? I like it but probably don't use an ounce a month so it seems like they were given quite a bit.

 

[Sean Gadhar]

An absolute guess :surrender:

1 gill = 4 oz.

that ration also had 20 oz of beef, I would guess that a fare amount was less the USDA Choice, and was at air temp. Vinegar like more expensive mustered & pepper helps make meat that "has gone off" palatable.

Also again all guess nothing to back it up from our talked about time frame. Vinegar is 90% effective against bacteria and 80%-83% effective against viruses and mold/mildew. If I had nothing else, and maybe no time to stop & boil water I would sure be adding vinegar to my water ration.

from Around the Roman Table: Food and Feasting in Ancient Rome
By Patrick Faas; "Soldiers and Travelers always carried vinegar to purify water. Wounds were washed clean with it."

 

[Ringel05]

Ask your brother that question & WHEN was Paris LAST successfully defended from an invading army.

yours, satx

There's been quite a few but we'll start with the Battle of Tours where we can thank Charles Martel that we all don't live under a Caliphate.

Then there was Operation Torch, where the French resisted, the invaders got their a**es handed to them. The invaders were the US and Britain.
That's just two minor examples.

 

[Alden]

Seem to remember French soldiers having to be deployed by taxi cab to defend Paris... Their responders today, gladly, look serious though.

Quick comment: we don't live under a caliphate because of the prelude to and the Battle of Vienna, 1683 I think, thank you very much.

Now, back to the topic: as for rations wasn't it "from each his haversack, to each his wants," Ringel, during the AWI for the regulars in The People's Continental Liberation Army? Could you check that for us in your copy of Zinn!?

 

[satx78247]

Just a couple of "problems" with your shallow analysis:

1. Charles Martel was a Frank & wasn't defending Paris.
and
2. Operation Torch was in French North Africa, i.e., ALGERIA, which in case you haven't looked at a map is nowhere near Paris. It should also be noted that the Vichy collaborators with the NAZIs would have had little (even initial) success, absent the Luftwaffe and direct support of German & Italian land-based forces.

Your comments therefore have been fully considered & discounted to the comments real value to "The Defense of Paris". = ZILCH, NADA, NIL & NOTHING.

yours, satx

 

[coloradoclyde]

Pickles where popular back then http://www.nyfoodmuseum.org/_ptime.htm

 

[Alden]

I seem to recall calculating that the guys were basically alotted something like four Quarter Pounders with Cheese and Ally Fries a day during the Rev War.

 

[satx78247]

THANKS.

yours, satx

 

[coloradoclyde]

I seem to recall calculating that the guys were basically alotted something like four Quarter Pounders with Cheese and Ally Fries a day during the Rev War.

Actually! There seems to be a lot of reports of men starving.

 

[Sean Gadhar]

I seem to recall calculating that the guys were basically alotted something like four Quarter Pounders with Cheese and Ally Fries a day during the Rev War.

Actually! There seems to be a lot of reports of men starving.

Many is the slip betwixt the allotment & the lip :idunno: they were also paid monthly about 3 time a year :rotf:

 

[Coot]

Why was vinegar part of the rations early on? Did they use it differently than most of do? I like it but probably don't use an ounce a month so it seems like they were given quite a bit.

Most likely uses were seasoning, cleaning and likely to make switchel - sort of an 18th c version of gatoraid made with vinegar, water & (if available) brown sugar, honey, ginger or other flavorings. Mrs Coot & I have made switchel for use at hot events & it is not bad.