What did WWII Soldiers Eat?

I only speak about the US Army in this video. What other countries/branches of the military would you like to see covered? Thank you to the constant support from all of my Patreon patrons. www.patreon.com/tastinghistory

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!

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

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.

Seeing how much you resemble your grandfather made me feel a sense of pride for both him and you

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.

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.

".....so, so long ago." I'm 62 and served in the military in the early '80s, because I felt it was my turn to serve. I was inspired by so many men I'd talked to during my youth who'd served during WW2. That included my dad, uncles, an aunt, and many, many others. I was surrounded by vets who'd served in WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and even WW1. So, it does not seem long ago to me....at all. Anyway, SOS is one of my favorite meals. I ate a lot at boot camp, because it was served for breakfast at least twice a week.

Dad was a WW2 and Korea vet. He used to make this all the time, I loved it! He would sub Sausage in for the beef for breakfast. When did the tradition Chipped beef, we would use the Buddig packets of beef instead of dry, better texture. Thanks for the memory!

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.

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!

Thank you for a wonderful video... My Dad was in the RAF in WW2. (flight mechanic) He loved it when his DC3 landed at an American airbase because the food was always so much better than the RAF, particularly breakfast..... Thank you for bringing back these memories (I'm battling Alzheimer's)..... Roger Pembrokeshire UK

My Dad was in WWII and he made us SOAS on Sunday nights. It was so good there was never any left.

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.

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".

Recently found your video’s, and as Viet-Nam combat wounded veteran, THANK YOU, for caring enough to take your valuable time to make this video. This WAS/IS one of my FAVORITE MEAL’S which my kid’s “also greatly enjoyed- OK, as children they WERE REQUIRED to enjoy” when staying with ME. ALLONS!

My mother served this for years and our family loved it. I couldn't get enough of it. It's all about the seasoning you put in it.

My grandfather actually talked about this. He never wanted to eat Spam, chipped beef or Butterscotch pudding again, and he told my grandmother as much. Also, he spent the rest o his life buying super warm clothing(goose down, thinsulate and ultra thermal clothing) so he would be never cold again because he was cold for 3 years in Europe. Bless you Virgil.

Two Tasting History eps in one week? We are blessed!

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.