Dining out

Submitted by Eric Daniel

The German military of WWII was famous for a number of technological inventions, which, at the time, were the benchmarks of their time. The MG42 (which is still used by the German army today as the re-chambered MG3) machine gun, the 8.8cm FlaK 18 (commonly known simply as THE "88"), the PzKpfw Mk. VI (the Tiger I tank) are just a few. One of the devices for which they are, unfortunately, less well known is their excellent mess kit. The German mess kit is a 3-piece design that incorporates a large boiling pot, a small frying pan, and a small bowl. All three pieces nest to form a compact kit with ample space within the kit to store condiments such as salt and pepper shakers, hot sauce, as well as matches, fire starter, and dish soap. While the army has phased out its 3 piece aluminum kits years ago, I still use the German kit simply because of its versatility. The pot and frying pan seal to form a container capable of transporting prepared food, which means that you meal gets delivered to you still hot and dirt free as opposed to cold and full of dust, which is how most meals are delivered in a tactical environment. Furthermore, the pot, now that the steel pot is no longer available, is an excellent source of boiling water for the entire squad (rather than have everyone boil their own canteen cup full.)

German 3 piece mess kit

Comments

[RTHawaii12]

dit dah dit. I have used this mess kit for about 20 years and still havn't found anything better.

[12of12]

looks just like the stuff we used in the seventies

[Thomas Milo]

Hm. Nazi pots. Good as they may be, I personally would only be able to vomit in them.

Thomas Milo
Captain Royal Netherland Army Ret'd

[wirjur76]

old, but nearly perfect. never seen anything better for having a meal outside.

Lars L.,
sniper, Objektschutz JaBoG 33, Büchel, GER

[Ruby T. Miller]

Why are some of you commenting on the viciousness of these mess kit? Have we not "used" the Japanese cars, cell phones, their songs - aka Lili Marlene? I lived, lost and loved someone in these wars, and that can not be changed, I appreciate that we care, but to take it out on "pots and pans?
Still fighting,
Ohio

[patrick kirchner]

http://www.uscav.com/

This place has everything from hats, camping blankets, tents utility belts. It's like a mammoth army navy store online and open to civilians too!

I ahve yet to find those really great mess kits like decribed above...

patriock kirchner
p212k.daytona.beach@gmail.com

[Torin Cowles]

Not all Nazis were Germans, and certainly not all German soldiers were Nazis. The vast majority of foot soldiers were just boys doing their jobs. I see nothing wrong or distasteful in appreciating their hardware.

[American Soldier]

The Nazi thing dont bother me at all.W hile in the military I married a little german girl.....grand daughter of a "PARTY" member and she still has her grandpas iron cross and lots of his orders.

I'd never thought about how the old man may be rolling in his grave every time I pork her HA HA!

[Richard Barbieri]

The mess kit can also be used to bake in. Use the cup inserted in the pot, put on the cover and you can bake in it. Also, if you add a little water to the pot you can bake by steam or steam food. The Japanese copied this design around 1900 and used a slightly smaller, but same design for their mess kits up to WW II. Many German designs were and still are superior. The mess kit is a good exapmple. I have used this mess kit for about 30 years and found it the best.

[Joanne]

This little item sounds pretty neat. however trowing a fit because the German Army of ww2 once used it is dead silly. about as silly as making a ruckus over any other purely cosmetic politically correct issue.

The U.S> has a long history of taking good ideas from our enemies and leaving the bad.

Not using a perfectly good mess kit because the Germans once did sounds to me like racism and aint racism wrong?

[Michael Tousignant]

It might be tough to forget how nasty the Germans were and still keep a open mind about a mess kit. I still cannot think of a single thing I would use, or buy,that came from Vietnam.

[Felix]

German soldiers always had excellent gear except for their rifles...Nothing was better than the M1 Garand.

Their mess kits were similar to what I saw our troops carrying across Europe & the Pacific.

And can we please stop the Nazify of every aspect of German military WWII history.

Geez,

[Mike]

This fellow has it right. As a US Marine, I trained with those from The Netherlands, Norway, and others; I served in the Middle East, and my Dad humped in the US Army through Europe during WWII, and my Uncles fought the Nazis as well. My son is currently in the Armed Forces. We don't serve in the military to pat the enemy on the back, but to defend freedom and all that is right. Screw that Nazi crap, as Capt. Milo wrote:

Hm. Nazi pots. Good as they may be, I personally would only be able to vomit in them.

Thomas Milo
Captain Royal Netherland Army Ret'd

Posted by: Thomas Milo | December 13, 2006 at 01:05 AM

[Patric Waters]

My best freind and I use these on our hunting trips. The ones we use came from my great grandfather from WWII. He got these while fighting over there.

[Former Armor Captain]

Assigning emotionally charged associations to a piece of metal field equipment because of where the design originated is about as immature as you get. A well designed piece of equipment is nothing more than that - a well designed piece of equipment. Get a grip, you whining gentlemen, as we wouldn't want you to go cathartic and become incapacitated (nto helpful during combat) at the thought that the 120mm cannon used in the M1A2 Abrams tank is licensed production from Rhein-Metall, a German company that also made gun tubes for the German Army during WWII. Shall we now also throw eggs at our tanks and refuse to use them out of "emotional disgust"? Or, stop using the excellent M240 machine-gun (since the design is very heavily based on that Oh-so-German best MG ever, the MG-42 (and MG-34) series? Or, perhaps you recommend all young people refuse to join the Air Force because the early U.S. jet designs were hevily based on the Me262 and other German aviation technologies? (All of today's compressor turbine technology originates from German WWII jet engine designs) - Better choose not to fly in any modern aircraft if you wish to be true to your emotional outpourings, 'cause the vehicle might have Nazi associations.... Really, people, practice a little Vulcanology and lose some of these ridiculous emotional associations you place on inanimate objects.

[Bill Warnock]

My uncle brought one of the kits back from Germany after serving in WWII. It passed to my father and finally my sister. They use it on all their campouts. It is the most versatile implement you could want. During that war, we had relatives fighting relative. As a family we own applicances or cars made in Germany, Japan, China and Korea.
Enjoy the day,
Bill Warnock

[Scot]

The idea of bashing this simple, yet versatile equipment is absurd. If we are to discard anything German, then we should get rid of many current weapon systems used today. It is well known in the US Military that the M-60 machine gun, for example, is modeled after the MG42. Germany also introduced the world to the main battle tank, guided missiles and bombs, etc. Don't confuse technology with National Socialism.

[George M]

How about the "Jerry" can. The cans used by the allies in ww2 leaked badly. After capturing a German can, we changed our design and still use it today. I don't hear anyone complaining.

Geo

[Torin Cowles]

Owing to the fact that most German hardware was superior to ours in WWII, is it not a testament to the American soldier that we prevailed? I realize that there other factors (generalship, fuel, resources, etc.) but leave it to the American GI to do more with less. It's not so much the gear as the man who carries it.

[Yoda_91bravo]

I only used my army issue mess kit one time and then had to spend a long time with steel wool geting it ready for the next inspection.

After that I went to the boy scout department of Sears & Roebuck (they had them back then) and bought a boy scout mess kit for field use and left the issue mess kit at home ready for inspection.

[Dan]

I found one of these kits at the big
army surplus place on the west side of I-15 just south of Brigham City, Utah, when I was driving truck back in '81. It was great for the weekend off-road motorcycle camping trips I would make in the summer. On the other hand, I can see the point of those who could only use it to collect the former contents of their stomach because it reminds them of an enemy so horrible they rank with the Barbarian Hordes, if not worse. My folks, who went through this time period [my Dad was a Marine on the USS California; Navy Cross, Purple Heart] said they made the barbarians look like Boy Scouts.

[Ed]

Re Joanie and "rascism": Only if an Asian or Black said it.
Ed

[Steve]

I retired from the military and was more than once very glad I had my mess kit with me. I feel like this, a soldier is a soldier. He or she goes where they are told to go and fights who they are told to fight. If most of you were overseas, and spent a little time learning about your location, instead of complaining about it you might have been better off.

[PAUL]

ANYONE KNOW WHERE WE CAN BUY ONE

[Robert A. Dott]

Where can I purchase this German mess kit?

[psyops]

Nazis developed the modern rocket and jet aircraft. So we should boycott airliners, the space program, sattelite TV, and GPS?

[Christopher Lindley]

If it is not broken don't fix it. It doesn't matter who developes anything for the comfort of the troops makes it wrong, Anybody that thinks anything should be discarded because of the past that works is a friggin idiot and racist. Racism is not just between the Whites and as we have to say Afro-American. I guess I am an European-American. I feel that all forms of identification should have the choice for non whites ie Black, Asians and Aliens but I also feel that people of European distinction should be included in any survey. When was the last time you heard any white person from America say they were European American, but people of the BLACK race can claim they are AFRO-AMERICAN. This bis BULLSHIT on high. You are either an AMERICAN or you are AFRICAN< ASIAN< EUROPEAN or other. I am tired of this 1 sided piece of BULLSHIT when it comes to AMERICAN. I believe in immagrants as long as it is done legally.

[Gary Todd]

Speeking of Good ideas The Germans had Was What we call the eisenhauer interstate system. Just Look at some of the 30's erra German films of cars going down the Autobaun. looks just like I-57 to me, the exact same bridges. I-57 was started in the 60's

[H White USMC]

RE; The mess kit. I've cooked many a C-Rat meal right in the can. Anything can be a utensil if you adapt it properly. I once cooked a spaghetti dinner for 4 grunts on a hubcap. Necessity can truely be the Mother of invention. At my last AT with the Ohio Military Police, one of our guys (56 yrs old) strained his knee. With no heating pad at hand, we wrapped his knee in hot towels and placed our Company's iron on it. He was good to go in about 45 minutes. The point is, if it works, USE IT!! As always, improvise, adapt and overcome. H. White U.S.M.C.

[Chuck B]

I spent 13 years Riding Missile Subs.. I didn't serve in Tents on the Front line eating out of a Mess Kit... My Opinion is that if it works better than what you have... Use it.. If you can use it as a basis of a new design.. Design away...

The US Military uses Armored Cars, Tanks, Jeeps, SMGs, Planes, Rockets, You name it... Origionally Designed by some other Nation or Group.. And Improved or Adapted for our use... give the Best there is to our Forces.. Or use it for Civilian Uses.. Whatever works best.... Adopt and Adapt..

[Wanye]

I have samples of the Japanese, German, and Swiss mess kits. I use the American one the most because it is more durable, being made of steel and practically never wears out.

[Tim]

Though made of a different material, our present day helmets look very much like the German army's of WWII

[Major Phillip Foraker (ret)]

You never tried eating the stuff the nazis
called food and ate out of those during
WWII. Yuk.

Remember who won that war!

[Greg]

On the issue of the horrific or evil scale. The Germans don't hold a candle to the Japanese. PERIOD! Lets look at the rates o death for captured Marines,airmen,sailors,soldiers. It was a little above 26 percent with the Japanese and slightly higher than 3 percent with the Nazis.By the way the Japanese still killed more people by far,even if you include the concentration camp totals.Get real I had relitives that fought in WW2 (Sure they are long dead before I knew them).The difference between the stories that carried down to the family about those that fought in the Pacicfic and in Europe--- jaw dropping!The SS even the concentration camps had nothing on the Japanese! YET WE BY MORE OF THEIR CARS THAN ANYTHING FROM EUROPE!

[Steve Edwards, GySgt (Ret)]

Isn't it great to be an American? After 20 years in the Marines, I can look back and see what it was all for. We have the right to be immature and hold a grudge against an inanimate object because of where it came from. The funny thing about this piece of gear is I have several Russian weapons around the house, should I get rid of them because they are communist? I don't think so. If people don't want the gear because it is German so be it that is their right. Personally, I would really like to know where to get one.

[Mike Lauerman ll]

My grandfather migrated here from Germany in '36, hated the Nazi scourge. My uncle was V.P. of Consolidated during the War years, B24 Liberator Project his favorite. Dad fought Pacific Theater, USN. We drive BMWs.

[N. R. Glenn]

A good soldier, sailor, marine, or airman uses what works best to defeat the enemy, equipment, recon, high ground, whatever. This includes equipment. As for the cruddy chow the Germans had, there wasn't any better available to them, on the line or at home. Only the Nazi higher echelon had the luxury items, usually stolen from whereever.

[Larry Babitts]

Cut out the stoopid crap...let's tell the folks about some great AMERICAN inventions...like the Garand M1 and other stuff...we are still the best country in the world...Larry the B

[Larry Babitts]

Cut out the stoopid crap...let's tell the folks about some great AMERICAN inventions...like the Garand M1 and other stuff...we are still the best country in the world...Larry the B

[Michael Dress]

I feel the need to jump into this, why? I don't know. All I can say is if you don't use something simply because the German Wehrmacht had it then I guess you wouldn't be using our Aircraft today as the Germans invented the Jet engine and we stole it. I guess you would have a deep hatred for NASA for using German engineers to make our rockets after they made V2's that bombed London. Hell for that matter I guess you wouldn't ever drive VW or on any highway because those were influenced by the Autobahn. Being American IS accepting other cultures and ideas as our own.

[MMC(CC) Van Worman]

Opinions are like assholes; everyone is entitled to one.
I have an M-1, a k98k Mauser, a 1911 Colt and a Sig-Sauer P-226. I like, and am proficient with all. My mess kit is GI, and works just fine. Looks like the German one does, too. Cheers.

[Nevadan]

Let me understand this ... if the WWII German used it, then we shouldn't or we should vomit in it? Does that extend to air? Water? Potatoes?

Interestingly enough, the German Wehrmacht wasn't too keen on the Nazi's. From as early as 1939, they referred to the Nazi political officers that accompanied their units as "Goldenen Fasanen" -- golden feasants for their silly mustard yellow uniforms and foppishness.

[Boyd]

Gotta like the kraut stuff from the past, it works.
Their beer sucks though!

[MSgt (Retired) USAF]

It is interesting to find such a wide range of comments on this mess kit and will just say it looks like an excellent device. As for the other comments, granddad always told me, "Boy, you just can’t fix stoop-id!"

[Marvin Buffi]

How many of you that dislike the German mess kit of WWII or Germans can trace your ancestory back to Germany, France, Italy, Russia or other European countries? Does that make you any less of a patriotic American? I can trace mine back to Germany, France, Italy and even Russia and I served 20 years in The US Navy. Where can I find one of those mess kits? I can see where it would be great for camping, hiking, fishing or any outdoor activity where you want to pack light and yet still be able to prepare a meal.
As to retired Captain Milo of the Royal Netherland Army, how in the hell did you ever attain Officer status?
Remember we only fought the Germans because of their Leaders beliefs and hatereds not because they were Germans. ML Buffi, Retired US Navy, E6

[steven w. wilgus]

my reply as many above said is NEVER attribute to inanimate object the good or bad attributes of people. Period - they were never alive so tere is no way a cooking pot is guilty of war crimes - who stops breathing air because they might share oxygen molecules? silly as hell to think such foolishness. Be thankful you breathe FREE>

[jeat.bullock]

Where may one of these German mess kits be found and purchased?
Jeat Bu;llock, Captain
US Martine Corps, Retired

[Jake of Sigourney]

Lest ye forget, BASF made the cyanide used in Hitler's death camps. BASF does not make the stuff we use, only more lethal. Get used to it!, Mistubishi made the Jap Zero, and also cars and electronics we now buy in America.

[DALE BRETT]

The beat goes on! Jeez louise, some of you people actually are really funny. Hey, i heard in the new Mercedes, if you look hard enough, you'll find one with your flat tire kit! Hahaaaaaa Didn't the good guys use one of those in stallag 13, corporal lebeau? We should all get a life insted of looking for reactions on a friggin chat line on cyber space....i gotta get back to work Good reading Hope our men and women get to leave the desert soon. We have lost too many already. Anyone seen Bin laden and his forty thousand or so thieves? God Bless us all.

[Michael Adam]

This mess kit is still used by german armed forces today.
It can be bought in german militay stores for not much money.

[POPS]

Alot of interesting facts have come to light regarding the three piece mess kit for the German army. Using Jake of Sigourney as a back-up....look into the history of Ford Motor Co. They were trying to get plants built "over there", just in case. Got any Ford owners out there?

[Dan]

I recently had to spend 3 nights at my jobsite due to a snowstorm and windstorm that blocked local roads. Power was out widespread in 7+ counties including our campground. We had our genset powering our maintenance shop and fuel pumps. I wish I'd had ANY mess gear. I really could have used my German mess kit. I cooked my supper 3 nights on a piece of aluminum plate on our wood stove. Maintenance guys know how to IMPROVISE-ADAPT-OVERCOME!!! Hobo burgers with fried onions (yummy). I operated our snowplow for 4 days. Another snowstorm may hit us in the next 12 to 24 hours. WE ARE READY! Our plow is standing by and the Maintenance Dept. is ready to "GIT HER DONE!" My Dad served in the U.S. Merchant Marine on convoy duty during WWII. He was on a 40MM AA GUNCREW on board ship. WWII was a tough time for the world. America won 'cuz we had more men and equipment to send over there. Plus no one was bombing our factories to slow down/stop production. Germany had superior armor (TIGERS-88s- PANZERS-THE MG42-JET FIGHTERS AND THE V1 AND V2 ROCKETS. If Hitler hadn't of been running the war and his generals had been we all might be speaking German or Japanese now. WWII bought America her freedom once again. The two wars we are in now are not about freedom. They are about control. Gov't. control of the masses. Read the PATRIOT ACT if you don't believe me. Homeland Security is the new secret police/gestapo. The PC warm and fuzzy sheep of this country all crying "we just want to be safe!" They will give up the freedoms and God given rights granted by our U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights "for a little security". These are the same people that tailgate me, drive and talk on their cellphones,drive with bald tires and one headlight out and or NO insurance and run around in winter with no sox on short pants and no coat. Do their moms know they are out by themselves??? Get a grip America. Straighten up-quityerbellyachin'-pull yer head out of the sand and getyourshittogether. NOW would be a good time. SANDMAN

[John Beaman]

My dad was in the US army in WW2 and my uncle was in the German army at the same time. After the war they became great friends. This also was the case in WW1 and the Revolutionary war in our family. (Maybe civil war too.) lt still is possible to have normal family retations dispite where you're born and the calamities of the world.

[pete]

Yes I think it is stupid to not use a mess kit just because. I would like to get one for myself. I went to Vet-Naim and if they had something that would be good to use, I wouldn't hesitate to use it. So what ,it was made in Vet-Naim.

[George Downs]

I just finish reading every-ones comments. Very interesting. As a kid in France I played in bomb out buildings medieval war games with other kids. Bomb out building make for great castles. Did find helmets and mess kit and so on. If I only knew they where to be so valuable I should of keep some of that stuff. I guess now I should call myself a French American!! I came to the US in 1957 at the age of 11. In 1966 I volunteer in the U.S.Air Force, ( did not have to) went to VietNam in 1968 (did not have to). Came back in 1970 in the middle of war protest (did not have to). Work hard to be a good citizen (did not have to), drove a VW Beetle (Nazi people car)(wanted to), still have a 73 beetle. It took nearly a year in 1999 for me to get a passport because I could not prove my citizenship as a war veteran, but finally got one since I was naturalize in France as a war baby by US. I love this country more then anything else in the world and I can appreciate it more then most be people can. Everyone should serve in the military for four years and see how other people live in third world country. I think right now the biggest challenge in American is forgiveness and pride of country. I think it takes sacrifice on our parts to find those qualities in our-selfs. So as an American, regardless of where I was born, what color I am (cant do nothing about that) what car I drive and how much people or country have let me down in the past. I'm still a proud American (that also speaks french), yes I learn to speak english(did not have to). Its to bad young people don't see what I see today. The things I found so long ago and figure out for myselves what being an American is all about. As far as German stuff goes. I'm looking forward to restoring my 73 beetle. I drive an 03 Ford van, my wife as a 04 Honda CRV, my son has an 06 Audi and now I guess I'm going to have to find one of those mess kit just because I have the freedom to be able to do so. Also I am a proud owner of a commie made in the USSR alarm clock with a missile on it. That must make a threat to this country. Isn't Freedom great.

[Ziggy]

RE: Wehrmacht mess kit. Interesting comments, but encouraging that the majority of them are realistic and practical, vs. ideological (I got a big laugh out of the knuckle-dragger who associated the far-right-wing and neo-Nazi-like Patriot Act with Political Correctness!). Interestingly, I am currently wearing a t-shirt, plastered with U.S. flags and slogans like "Freedom Isn't Free", with a tag that says MADE IN MEXICO!! Keep the Faith.
Ziggy

[JCrumb]

In my Neighborhood there lives a great ol guy, we all call him Uncle Frank..anyway, he and I become friends..he really enjoys discussing his day's in the Army in WWII, he had pivotal experiences in Germany after the War, Guarding German Soldiers...POW's..from the Russians.
Frank made friends with these men..not Idiologically...just as one person to another..and was given a few items in gratitude, by these German POW's.
One such item he has given to me. It is a German Aluminum Fork. Frank say's it was an Officers Fork, I was ..really stunned to see, on the back of the handle, the Eagle and Swastika....this Otherwise simple item...really causes me to feel...odd...in a good way..again, NOT idiologically...but in the sense of...in the way coin collectors describe being taken back...as in..where has this been..besides the Mouth of a soldier....ughhh..but this Fork might have been in some of the great moments of History...it is possible...
Anyway, I like to look at it some times..just to experiance that Floaty..time travel experience.
Also, as to point...it is in almost perfect condition, it has a 1939 date stamp, and it has only slight wear on one tine..indicating the way..perhaps..the original owner liked to cut his food with his fork...it is so light weight...and so beautifully made it is heart breaking...
I keep it next to a WWII era statue of Stalin I found in a French Flea Market..I figure let them..the Fork and The Bust..duel it out in quiet existential proximity...a sort of...admittedly corny...Karmic zero sum game...if you will.
No one has ever made quality equipment like the WWII nations...ever since...
A realted discussion for another time bearing on this is: How hopeless would OUR generations be in a Great Escape scenario...we simply do not posess the skills to make...for example...fake I.D's and uniforms...nope...the beautiful crafstmanship of the past..I belive..is like the Do-Do...gone forever..
Good to Go...

[AJ Allred]

Thomas Milo is right. He was there - his opinion counts - that's what is great about America. Besides, Milo was only making commentary - - everyone knows that we all share technology - - let's just remember that technology is not value-free. Keep talking Mr. Milo. Nausea is a great reminder that war is not a hobby.

[Jess Newcomb]

Kits can be purchased and (www.sportsmansguide.com)

[R.E. Lee]

Heck, I wish I had MG-42s, Tiger tanks and ME262s when I fought in the Great War of Northern Agression. Grant, Sherman and McClellan wouldn't have stood a snow balls chance in hell against my army of fine southern boys with such fine equipment. I would have asked for Stonewall's left nut for that German mess kit. Miss Scarlett just couldn't get her act together at Tara with Yankee pots...

[Scott]

I'm amazed at how many people like to wax elloquent throwing out historical or technical data to make themselves sound intelligent.
I'm also shocked that one man made a comment about how he felt and suddenly the whole thread was consumed by censureship of his thoughts and feelings. I think we're losing perspective here. If the guy don't like them because they are "Nazi pots" that's his right. Unless of course you all want to become "thought police" who condemn the poor guy for sharing an opposing opinion. It's his right, get off of it and lighten up, especially the "little professor" who wanted to use the term "racist."

[Teufelhund]

I entered the Marines in 1954, served during the Viet Nam War, am retired now. I was always able to separate the military from the political. The German Army was not political, except for the SS. The average German soldier was an honorable fighter, like any other who fights for his nation.
Hatred for political reasons is ignorant, and since when was ignorance a point of view?

[VTMarine]

LOL....60 comments arguing over a friggen mess kit?Awsome...just frickin' awesome.No wonder we Americans can't unite anymore.You all can't even stick to the article,all ranting and raving about patriot acts and shit.Whatever.It's a friggen MESS KIT.Get over it.Here in Iraq we've got a captured insurgent weapon.What is it?An original Mauser from WWII.Complete with eagle and swastika.And you bet your ass I want to take it home.Does that make me a nazi?Does it make me any less of a patriotic American?NO.It makes me a military history buff.It's a friggen mess kit for God's sake.GET OVER IT.

[Sgt Hardwood]

I see a lot of crying over a stupid mess kit,that many of our Dads and Grandfathers brought back with them after the war.now if it was vile or useless,why'd they bother.as for the present war,they have been after us for some time as any one who served in the middle east in the last 20 years or so can tell you.this time they've taken it to us.we don't meet them over there and take them on.they will come after us here.there is a hatred of America and all it stands for that you wouldn't believe.those people are so poor.that when thier leaders tell them it's the U.S.thats doing it to them,they go crazy.if a kid dies from thier poor health conditions,it's our fault.most of the time all the money is being stolen by thier leaders and military.but we get the blame and the hate,to keep the heat off thier selves

[George]

Just a small detail here that seems to have been overlooked... these are aluminum, right? Aluminum has been linked to some pretty serious health risks, such as alzheimer's disease. Even things like soda cans have plastic liners to prevent the aluminum from getting dissolved and absorbed into your body. I wouldn't eat from one of these because of the health risk. No other reason's necessary.

[Grenzebach]

I am a German soldier and use this mess kit already for 30 year. I am not sure whether it is better than this other armies although my father during WW II and my grandfather during WW I already have eaten her meals in it. I find it very sad that 60 years after the end of WW II people still have so much hate for all German , that a small piece of aluminum lets these write such comments. This mess kit is nothing else but a device which hungry soldiers have used on all sides of the front line. I can understand that a former soldier from the Netherlands heats all things from Germany. German soldiers have destroyed this country terribly. However, I still hope that the younger generation of Dutch soldiers who does your duty together with German soldiers in the NATO, these, will overcome. I do my duty as a German soldier in a US Army unit. I never heard something bad about Germany, since I am deployed in the USA What a great country, Thanks America

[DeeDee]

I bought one of these types of mess kits in the 70's and used it for backpacking for years and my boys used it for campouts. I'm surprised that they don't give these out anymore. They're lightweight, convenient, and the cost for them is minimal. And they hold up pretty well!

[Stefanie]

I am greatly troubled with some of the comments here. I am german and I am proud of who I am I had two grandfathers fighting in WWII on the German side and I am proud of them. One was a Officer the other a Footsoldier. Both where no Nazi's they just did what they had to do survive. I get pretty tired living here 15 years and always hear about germans getting referred to as Nazis. I do not call people here in the south Slavedrivers etc. why do you americans not look at your history and see all the things you did wrong instead of pointing fingers.

[Glen Morris]

Before we were married, and in our first two years of marriage, my wife had a VW bug, which was originally designed by Adolph, himself. Does that make me a Nazi? Prescott Bush and Henry Ford were supporters of Hitler--and Charles Lindberg, utill public pressure forced him to change sides and join the Army Air Force. There are skeletons in everyone's closet; so no one has a right to throw stones.

[Steve Jones]

Use those Nazi mess kits. Recycle is good for the environment!

[ron cronin]

I served as an advisor in Thailand in 67-68. We were not allowed to carry
weapons. I trained with the M14, a
great variant on the Garand M-1, and
thought that the "plastic fantastic" M-16 was a piece of crap. The rifle leaning against the wall in my bedroom? The AK-47.

[Rube]

Adolf didn't design the VW Bug, he commissioned it. Ferdinand Porsche designed it.

[Mike]

When all you folks that want to gripe about items made overseas are finished, I'll make you an offer. Send those items to me, and I will MAKE SURE They get some proper use.

I for one have never understood the WASTEFULLNESS of the human attitude of IF IT AIN'T MADE HERE, WE DON'T WANT IT.

Get over it. A German, Dutch, or Japanese Mess Kit will feed you just as good as one made by the Yanks.

A Chicom carbine, if it scores a hit, will hurt you just as bad as an m-1 carbine made by the US or an Italian Carcano.

A Non Leaking tent from Russia is far preferable to a leaking one from mexico.

In other words, If it works, Good. If it does not, then either fix it or dispose of it.

Again, if you want to whine about your gear, get in touch with me, and I'll tell you where to send it at YOUR COST, so it will get some proper use.

[HM1 Jackson 1st Recon Marines]

Wow!! I can't believe all the exhaustive comments against Germany and The Nazi's when the article is about a little ol' mess kit.
I served for four years and have seen many places.
I was wounded in Action in 91 and was sent to Germany to get patched up.
All of the WW11 vets i have spoken to had great respect for the German foot soldier. At first they thought the German's were evil incarnate. Most realized that The Nazi's were different from the common foot soldier.
Since the discussion has waivered from this mess kit to geo-political strife over the past, I had to read the comments.
In response I say that the German people are a hearty lot and make up the majority of the nationality pool in The US.
In response to J Crumb...
How hopeless would OUR generations be in a Great Escape scenario...we simply do not posess the skills to make...for example...fake I.D's and uniforms...nope...the beautiful crafstmanship of the past..I believe..is like the Do-Do...gone forever..
All i have to say is...I would take my Marines, the guys i served with over any others. If there was a Great Escape scenario We would prevail. We DO have the skills to do all those things and better technology, even in a situation where we need to improvise.
I liked your story J Crumb but you are sorely wrong about SOME of Americans readiness, skill, and intelligence. I and my fellow Marines are not hopeless. Semper Fi.
As for the mess kit--I'd love to have one as i'm a Military History buff.
Carry On!!
Hm1 Jackson

[Ceasar Eleasare]

Talking about versatility. I always take it with me when I eat out. It's a perfect container for your leftovers. It keeps your food warm, and it keeps the little critters out of it.

[dave]

I cant believe i just wasted 20 min of my life reading this crap.

Cpl
c co
2lar bn
2nd mar div

[Xerxez]

Here in Sweden you could buy these kits by the ton at most army surplus stores!

Most probably almost the same as the one used by the swedish army. Minus the 'middle' bowl. Instead, our model featured an additional separate outer shell of steel used as a much needed wind protection for the alcohol (wick) burner. (see link below for pictures) During the WW2 the whole kit was made out of steel tin, probably due to the scarcity of aluminum which was dearly needed for airplanes. Later the swedish army also switched to alu.
The kit makes a considerable rattling noise for every move you make if not considerable care is made to 'silence' it.
The kit was also used to contain the emergency ration - one box of crackers, one tin liver paste, one stonehard cake of dark, bitter concentrated chocolate and a couple of small envelopes of salt and pepper.
It was 'streng verboten' to consume the ration prematurely, but at the end of the sevice periods we were free to take it home for peaceful consumption.

The steel model of the kit was almost indestructible, but the alu model soon got the bottom surface scarred by inumerable dents and scratches from steel knives (bayonet!) and forks etc., which made washing difficult.
The jargon named it 'snuskburken', roughfly translated to 'the filth can'.
Wimpy conscripts as well as professional officers often brought paper plates for the sessions in the field.
The 'snuskburk' had a completing piece of equipment in the form of a smallish canvas bag which was meant for storing all kinds of food and stuff, and a thermos flask. (Mine invariably broke the very first day of every campaign.) The nordic speciality, 'knackebrod' e.g. crisply baked dry rectangular bread slices, was a sure bet to be found in every 'brodslunga' (bread sling). 'Knackebrod' and pea soup with diced pork is still the foundation fuel for the swedish warriors.

A webpage dedicated to "snuskburken": http://www.soldf.com/enmanskok.html - or 'google' the word snuskburken.

"Understand that the foundation of an army is the belly. It is necessary to procure nourishment for the soldier wherever you assemble him and wherever you wish to conduct him. This is the primary duty of a general."
Frederick the Great
Instructing his generals (1747)

[Thomas Milo]

My comment was straight from the heart.

The people from whose asses these pots were dangling were not "just doing a job", but terrorizing Europe from Italy to Norway and from France to Russia. No need to differentiate between SS and Wehrmacht. They were all accomplices in a huge crime. Either because they _were_ criminals (SS), or because they too cowardly to stand up against injustice and state incompetence (Wehrmacht). The real German heros attempted resistance, left the country or were being demolished in concentration camps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AePoNJhNgN4&mode=related&search=

From me no love for Nazi pots.

For all clarity - or maybe to add to the confusion - I have great admiration for Germans, especially their scholarship and enjoy frequent contacts and exchanges. I realize that Germany has come a long way since.

In friendship and respect,

Tom

[Thomas Milo]

My comment was straight from the heart.

The people from whose asses these pots were dangling were not "just doing a job", but terrorizing Europe from Italy to Norway and from France to Russia. No need to differentiate between SS and Wehrmacht. They were all accomplices in a huge crime. Either because they _were_ criminals (SS), or because they too cowardly to stand up against injustice and state incompetence (Wehrmacht). The real German heros attempted resistance, left the country or were being demolished in concentration camps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AePoNJhNgN4&mode=related&search=

From me no love for Nazi pots.

For all clarity - or maybe to add to the confusion - I have great admiration for Germans, especially their scholarship and enjoy frequent contacts and exchanges. I realize that Germany has come a long way since.

In friendship and respect,

Tom

[Donald J. Cheek]

One bit of correction. The German mess kit shown is a postwar model. The Kochgeschirr M/34 used by the WW2 German Armed Forces did not have the inner aluminum bowl - only the cookpot itself (1.5 liter) and the frying pan/lid with attached handle. The small inset bowl was added after WW2 and used in both the NVA (East German Army) and the Bundeswehr (West German Army). Incidentally, the WW2 German kit was originally made of aluminum, but soon (after 1941-42) made of steel because of material shortages.

It is still an excellent piece of equipment.

[Gene Schubeck]

Try Sportsmans Guide, or Cheaper Than Dirt. I have a couple, and I didnt take one with me to Afghanistan in 2001. I still have not finished cussing at myself....

[J.W. Will]

I have seen this messkit labeled as a Norweigian and Swedish mess kit as well.

I purchased a Swedish model, bare aluiminuim, but it also came with three extra items,

1- alcohol stove
1 alcohol fuel bottle
1 metal cook stand that holds the pots above the flame, acts as a stand and base for the stove and a windbreak.

And all of the above except for the stand fit inside the metal cups. Upon first getting it I put it to the test and made a batch of imprompt chili with ground beef, dried red beans and peppers, onions and chili powder and tomatoes. I let the beans simmer and rehydrate for several hours and then added the rest and let simmer, figure about four hours of cook time all using just the items in the mess kit.

The kit is good to go, it works well on a campstove, its alcohol stove or the kitchen stovetop.

The stand works very well to keep your cook pots either the shalllow one or the deep one so you don't have any spills.

The downside, its aluminium so it turns black from the campfire and that can be a bit messy,

Overall its a good piece of kit, and the cook system is leaps and bounds ahead of a canteen cup and those aftermarket canteen cup cooker/stands and trioxaine

[JD]

Interesting how people would not use a German designed mess kit but what about all of the equipment designs the US military copied from them? Kevlar helmet shape, M-60 Machine gun, the idea of maneuver warfare, the general staff and NCO cadre. Not to mention U-Boat technology, submarine tactics and missle technology. Hey, if it works then use it.

[Timo Kiravuo]

This kind of cooking/eating kit has been used at least by the German, Finnish and Swedish forces. As one side of the pot is concave, the kit is easier to pack next to body or can be hung next to a round stove, for cooking (at least the Finnish army has 20 man tents with wood burning stoves). The kit also works over an open fire.

The aluminum is easily scratched and a hygienic problem, so most soldiers have figured out to buy plastic bags and use them as liners when using the kit only as a mess kit.

I have a 30 year old set in my garage and I don't think that I would likely to use it again.

Now the famous Finnish spoon-fork combination is a different story: http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lusikkahaarukka

kiravuo

[goblin]

I want to get a nazi mess kit so i can envoke fear and disgust, hatred and critisism as i cook beanie weenies over the campfire