MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Question and opinion regarding Living History / Reenacting.
pintelhook11over
G-Major
G-Major
Posts: 870
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:45 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by pintelhook11over » Tue Feb 23, 2016 7:26 pm

Here is some tinkering with a M1941 pocket stove roasting green coffee beans:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0tBJRQoR5c

Small batches seem to be easy to work with...
1942 G7117 No. 389946
1945 G527 Serial no.9218
USN CM3 NMCB "4"
Cat Field SVC/GPS installer
Cat Main shop Mech


pintelhook11over
G-Major
G-Major
Posts: 870
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:45 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by pintelhook11over » Sun May 22, 2016 9:55 am

Here are some pictures of the gear we took to the Chino Air Show, there was a lot of good people, good equipment and Flying machines that would roar by!

We got to the event at 0630 Saturday, so we were pretty much late to the party...

They staged us on the Tarmac and said: "Standby until we find a place to have you park." We were supposed to be set up by 0800 when the public came into the airshow. As time passed and we received no further word on a set up position, I figured "This is it. We aren't getting moved anywhere." :lol:

Gear used:

M-1941 pot belly stove
M-1941 pocket stove
M-1942 pocket stove
British portable cooker No.3 (2 burner)
My Chuck Box- place setting for 8
1- M-1941 round Mermite
3- 5 gallon water cans (refilled once)
1- 3 gallon insulated liquid container
4- Metal 12 qt buckets
8- folding chairs
Improvised tables



We then deployed our gear in an expedite fashion and began the 48 hour evolution. Unfortunately, I didn't bring all the gear I wanted to. I never got to test out my "Ice Box" like I wanted to. We traveled "Light" and still had fun! I didn't take any photos of the dinner we made, but the dinner was good. Once dinner was cooking more visitors arrived that we did not have chow for so I was getting worried how I was going to feed everyone. They then departed and we returned to our planned ration amounts.

The menu was:

Chicken w/bell peppers, onions, seasoning (Fajitas)
Slices of bread + butter
"Cajun" Black eyed peas w/ diced spam and Tabasco sauce
Dehydrated Cabbage (which I forgot to serve)

Breakfast Menu:

Coffee- fresh roasted/ground onsite
Bacon
Eggs
Toast w/ butter

Lunch:

Cheese
Bread


I had some dehydrated items, but didn't bring any protein items to prepare, so I made a call to HQ and the Mrs. rescued us by making a supply run. :lol:

Oh, one good discovery I had accidentally discovered is a hot water heater! I put one of my metal dish washing buckets on the potbelly stove and realized the top access hole on the M-1941 stove was the perfect diameter for the bucket to cover and warm up water for dishes! So now the buckets have a black bottom to them from getting warmed up on the stove

Here are the pic's:

ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImage
1942 G7117 No. 389946
1945 G527 Serial no.9218
USN CM3 NMCB "4"
Cat Field SVC/GPS installer
Cat Main shop Mech

Mark in Tucson
G-Command Sergeant Major
G-Command Sergeant Major
Posts: 202
Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2003 6:56 pm
Location: Tucson , Arizona

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by Mark in Tucson » Sun May 22, 2016 1:58 pm

Great looking set-up Cody.
Flank on each side by 2 great looking 1½ ton Chevys.
Bratwurst across the way and a hop, skip and jump from Ye old port-a-privies.
Had to of been a fun weekend.

Mark

yoeri
G-Sergeant First Class
G-Sergeant First Class
Posts: 75
Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 8:40 am
Location: belgium , europe

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by yoeri » Fri Jun 03, 2016 9:03 am

steevo wrote:Nothing from Weldonkrieg, but here is a recent one from Jefferson Barracks in April. Sorry about the car in the background, we were set up by the parking lot. My utensils are hanging from a rope down the middle of the fly.

what are the tons ( with stove pipes ) on the right in the photo?

Steve Webb
G-General
G-General
Posts: 16659
Joined: Fri Jan 17, 2003 3:40 pm
Location: Fort Myers, Florida

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by Steve Webb » Sun Jun 05, 2016 5:02 pm

Good start for some red eye gravy in that cup.
Stand for the Flag, Kneel for the Cross Psalm 55; 9-11

steevo
G-Sergeant
G-Sergeant
Posts: 32
Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2012 3:25 pm
Location:

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by steevo » Mon Jun 06, 2016 5:36 am

Hello yoeri, The "tons", or as we say, trash/garbage cans to the right of the mess fly are for the cleaning station. They were brand new and sanitized when first put into use. The stove pipes are for the immersion heaters to heat up the water. First can without water is for trash and scraps, wipe mess gear with paper towels here. First can with hot soap water is for washing with long handle brush. Second can, boiling water for rinse. Third can, boiling water rinse/sanitize. You can add a couple Tbls. of bleach to (15 gallons of water) to help with sterilization. A little bleach goes a long way, but don't add to much because it can cause any hidden rust on the steel parts to re-activate. The bleach is just a pre-caution, not really needed if your water is boiling.
I had to put the cleaning station close to the fly only because our camp site was not that big. I would rather it be at least 50 feet away from everything if possible.
Remember...Wash...Rinse...Sanitize...and have a great time. Steve

Buckomp
G-Civilian
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Sep 27, 2020 1:35 am
Location:

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by Buckomp » Tue Aug 31, 2021 6:26 am

Hello, I have a complete, new, unused Chrysler Air Temp Stove with all the post/pans, knives, etc etc. I would like to use it as part of my Military Veh Club display but concerned of the safety issues with petrol and how it works with the stove. Has anybody ever converted one of these to gas/propane and how did u do it. Also, are there other options to run it/use? Any info or suggestions would be appreciated as I would like to cook real GI food and let people try it. Thanks

pvttab
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2010 2:04 pm
Location:

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by pvttab » Sat Sep 04, 2021 3:07 pm

We used them with gas prior to buying M-1937 field ranges for our kitchen. As long as you have a clean burner head and the clamps are all tight on the gas line, they are safe to operate. Just like anything, if maintained well, you should be safe.

Tab

Messtruck
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:59 pm
Location: Ozark, AL

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by Messtruck » Sun Jan 22, 2023 9:16 am

We were luck enough to get several from Cheatham Annex Property Disposal Sale in VA. The crates around the immersion heaters had rotted away but you could see the Sea Bee stencil on the side of the immersion heater sets. We typically take one or two to each event just to show off a WWII garbage can :D . But we learned early on to put a plastic garbage bad in it because people typically filled them with trash.
The cans we have are to the left of our mess truck as a mess tin cleaning line with the WWII immersion heaters.
Attachments
WWII Heritage Days, Falcon Field, GA 2011 008.JPG
Garbage cans dated 1943 and 1944 were immersion heater sets.

70th Division
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5632
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:29 pm
Location:

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by 70th Division » Fri Feb 10, 2023 2:23 pm

Messtruck wrote:
Sun Jan 22, 2023 9:16 am
We were luck enough to get several from Cheatham Annex Property Disposal Sale in VA. The crates around the immersion heaters had rotted away but you could see the Sea Bee stencil on the side of the immersion heater sets. We typically take one or two to each event just to show off a WWII garbage can :D . But we learned early on to put a plastic garbage bad in it because people typically filled them with trash.
The cans we have are to the left of our mess truck as a mess tin cleaning line with the WWII immersion heaters.
Hello,

That is a great picture, and this entire post is outstanding !!
Keep up your good works and Keep 'em Rolling !!
Looking forward to more pictures at events :D :D .

Best Regards,
Ray

Messtruck
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:59 pm
Location: Ozark, AL

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by Messtruck » Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:51 pm

I finally found my manual on TM 10-702 Heater Immersion Type for Can, Corrugated dated 1945. I also ran across the instruction sheet that came with the immersion heaters and 1944 garbage cans and a few of my oddball manuals, like the one on Cheese, Sandwiches, etc.
Attachments
TM 10-702 Heater Immersion Type for Can, Corrugated.jpg

Messtruck
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:59 pm
Location: Ozark, AL

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by Messtruck » Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:57 pm

Here is the one on Eggs, Cheese and Sandwiches. The Army had a manual for everything!
Attachments
TM 10-412-2 Army Recipes (Eggs, Cheese, and Sandwiches).jpg

Messtruck
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:59 pm
Location: Ozark, AL

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by Messtruck » Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:03 pm

Here is a copy of the instructions that came with the immersion heaters and garbage cans (even they were dated 1943 and 1944) that were bound for a CB unit in the pacific. The wooden crates they were in were falling apart but the cans, heaters and paperwork were in great shape!
Attachments
Instructions.jpg

User avatar
Leatherneck17
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 2681
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2003 7:12 am
Location: Rushden,Northants,England
Contact:

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by Leatherneck17 » Fri Feb 16, 2024 12:15 pm

Hi guys long time no posts but we’re still around! Thought you guys would like to see our full 3 x M1937 range field kitchen set up ! And yes we do cook on it 👍
Attachments
697b4631-4bf7-47e7-a6c1-8b9a84baec54.jpeg
0f4aea00-fa17-4a25-8c46-e6eb21d1c7f0.jpeg
a7ddb10a-61b3-4636-b4fe-50b213bfcab2.jpeg
3b31e5a0-267f-469a-9499-1f05ff913c7d.jpeg
d30c59e3-38e8-4963-8bfb-387c5eee6bea.jpeg
b9106001-c9d5-4e7c-8a23-e5cbe581d090.jpeg
035f6a96-86cb-45e9-963f-0d402ac0e7cd.jpeg
d9f5737f-dca9-4d08-b21c-1468cc524ea4.jpeg
ce98d8fd-512a-4e3b-a921-16f55f660f9e.jpeg
IMG_2059.jpeg
1942 Willys MB (Script).Chassis #MB 132051. Named "CONNIE"
1943 Bantam T-3 (Tandem)Trailer..ACM # B50604
1944 RL-35 Johnston Lawnmowers Reel Cart
1944 WC54 Dodge Ambulance "Florence"

Messtruck
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:59 pm
Location: Ozark, AL

Re: MESS OPERATION IN FIELD (ref. TM 10-405/ TM 10-406)

Post by Messtruck » Sat Feb 24, 2024 5:51 pm

That is a really nice setup. Who made your M37 ranges? Was the enameled information plate on the front original? All of may M37 are missing them.
10153681_1478750092342066_7417722505130702622_n (1).jpg


Post Reply

Return to “Living History / Reenacting Knowledge Base”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 16 guests