Frontline Cookbook by Robertshaw Andrew

Author:Robertshaw, Andrew
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780752483672
Publisher: The History Press
Published: 2012-05-14T16:00:00+00:00

In theory, at least, supplies were to be sent forward from the Base Area along the lines of communication to the formations in the field by rail, arriving at the Rail Head for collection by motorised transport and forward distribution to supply companies just behind the lines.46 During the war this system worked in India, where the Japanese Army were not able to interfere with the railway network, but elsewhere bombing and systematic destruction by the enemy of rail routes meant that it was motorised vehicles that carried most supplies. This had the effect of increasing the amount of fuel needed, which in turn increased the requirement for petrol, oil and lubricants, leading to a further increase in the demands on shipping. To give an example of the magnitude of the task in sustaining one division in the field, the records of the 53rd (Welsh) Division in North West Europe are illuminating: between 27 June 1944 and 4 May 1945, 6,045,680 rations were issued, made up of 4,325,276 field service rations and 1,720,404 ‘compo’ rations. This means that over 14,363 tons (13,029 tonnes) of food were transported to the divisional administrative area and during the campaign every man in the division ate 17 cwt of food (863kg), which amounts to fourteen times his own average weight or roughly the same weight as a cow! In the same period 1,030 portable cookers were issued.47

Although the British Army became almost fully motorised by 1941, draft animals remained in use in several theatres of war. These included the mountains of Italy, the jungles of Burma and the deserts of North Africa.

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