A
field ration is a type of prepackaged
military ration designed to be easily and quickly prepared and consumed on the battlefield, in combat, at the
front line, or where eating facilities are otherwise unavailable. Field rations are primarily used by military forces, though they are also sometimes distributed to civilians as part of
humanitarian aid and
emergency management. They consist principally of dried and nonperishable foods, including among others
preserved and nonperishable precooked meat, vegetables, grains and rice, dehydrated soup, side dishes, desserts and drinks. They took their modern form from the 19th century onwards, with the invention of airtight food preservation, canned food, and
pasteurization. Field rations are designed with a long shelf life and can be eaten at any temperature, but they are heated or cooked where possible. This photograph shows the arranged contents of an Einmannpackung Typ 1 field ration issued to the German
Bundeswehr in 1974, on display at the
Museum of Hamburg History in Hamburg, Germany. It includes, from left to right and top to bottom: an instant-rice ready meal, scrambled eggs with ham and spaghetti,
hardtack, a condiment, semi-sweet chocolate, and coffee creamer;
liverwurst, strawberry jam, melted cheese, four water-purification tablets, and salt; tea-extract powder, a damp towel, coffee extract, orange drink powder, a
matchbook, refined sugar, and spearmint chewing gum.
Photograph credit: Sergej Medvedev
