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Peanut butter for GIs and a 40% shot of cordiale for the Italians: Can you guess the army's nationality by its ration pack?
- Operational ration packs provide enough food to feed a serviceman or woman for 24 hours
- British troops are given chicken tikka masala, vegetarian pasta, tea, coffee, biscuits and Tabasco sauce
- Only the Italian forces are given alcohol, in the form of a 40 per cent measure of cordiale
- Ration packs were collected from troops serving in Kabul, Afghanistan for a charity dinner in aid of Afghan schools
PUBLISHED: 15:27 EST, 24 February 2014 | UPDATED: 04:30 EST, 25 February 2014
Napoleon famously said that 'an army marches on its stomach', but who knew that soldiers from across the world would be powered by such a diverse range of foodstuffs including Tabasco sauce for the British and a shot of alcohol for the Italian troops?
Operational ration packs including canned, freeze-dried or pre-cooked food are dished out to many servicemen and women on the front line, providing enough food to get them through 24 hours and millions of pounds have been spent on making them as appetising as possible, with gadgets including heaters to warm the meals also included in the packs.
British troops serving in Afghanistan find themselves tucking into favourites from home including chicken tikka masala, vegetarian pasta and jam-filled biscuits, as well as familiar brands such as Typhoo tea and Kenco coffee with a tiny bottle of Tabasco sauce to spice up their meals.
Although the French used to include red wine with their ration packs they now must make do with venison pate and duck confit, as it is now only the Italians who are provided with any type of alcohol in the form of a miniature measure of 40 per cent alcohol 'cordiale' .
Estonian troops snack on smoked sprats, stuffed peppers and halva, while German forces enjoy liver sausage spread and rye bread.
The ration packs were collected from troops from across the world serving in Kabul, Afghanistan by the Guardian newspaper for a dinner in aid of charities School of Leadership, Afghanistan and The Afghan Schools Trust, attended by diplomats, aid workers, security contractors and other officials.
As they are legally banned from giving away ration packs, the Americans were unable contribute to dinner, although US ration packs can sometimes be purchased in markets should they fail to make it to Afghanistan via Pakistan. Peanut butter, spiced apple cider, almond poppy seed pound cake, cranberries and tropical punch give US soldiers a taste of home while on the front line.
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The British ration pack contains a host of familiar items including Typhoo tea and a tiny bottle of Tabasco sauce as well as favourites such as chicken tikka masala, vegetarian pasta, jam-filled biscuits and boiled sweets
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It is only the Italian troops who are provided with any type of alcohol in the form of a miniature measure of 40 per cent alcohol 'cordiale', as well as some minestrone pasta soup, rice salad, an energy bar and some fruit salad
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Although French troops are no lobger given red wine, they can enjoy venison pate, a cassoulet with duck confit, a Creole-style pork dish, fish soup, a chocolate pudding and a Dupont D'Isigny caramel - as well as a disposable heater to help warm the food
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The Estonian ration pack contains treats such as stuffed peppers, chicken pate, green tea, crackers and smoked sprats, as well as halva for pudding
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Peanut butter, spiced apple cider, almond poppy seed pound cake, cranberries and tropical punch give US soldiers a taste of home while on the front line
Take a look at the US Military's MRE field ration pack
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Salmon fillet with Tuscan sauce, vegetable couscous, a packet of Baxters soup, peanut butter and a Bear Paw desert makes up a meal designed for Canadian troops
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Spanish soldiers are given packs containing green beans with ham, pate, squid, powdered vegetable soup and cracker for their lunch, followed by a desert of peaches in syrup
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Included in the German pack is liver-sausage spread to be served on rye bread, Italian biscotti and goulash with potatoes, as well as pots of cherry and apricot jams
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Soldiers from Singapore are given pack of Szechuan chicken noodles, rice with mushrooms and basil, and soya milk with red-bean dessert, as well as other items such as energy drinks in a 'accessory pack'
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There are plenty of snacks packed into the Australian ration including a steak bar, processed cheese and a military-issue packet of Vegemite, as well as a spoon which doubles as a can opener. Main meals include tuna pasta and meatballs
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The Australian ration packs, bagged up to be given to the hungry troops
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The ration packs were collected from troops from across the world serving in Kabul, Afghanistan, for a dinner in aid of charities School of Leadership, Afghanistan and The Afghan Schools Trust
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