COOKERS IN THE FIELD [Main Title]

A military training film explaining the use and construction of issued and improvised cookers in the army.

(Reel 1) Petrol Cooker No 1 has the capacity to feed one hundred and twenty-five men; breakdown of the cooker, how to use and ignite. Uses five to six pints of petrol/hour. Breakfast is cooked while lunch is prepared; transportation of food to soldiers at isolated posts via shoulder pack and army issue G1098 thermos flask. Filmed at a real unit as men are very aware of the camera. Petrol Cooker No 2 with twin burners and oven caters for fifteen men eg tank crews who must be self-supporting. They exist on an Army Fighting Vehicle (AFV) pack consisting of sardines, milk , sugar, tea, preserved meat, baked beans, biscuits, margarine and jam. Petrol Cooker No 3 is specifically for tank crews, similar in construction to Petrol Cooker No 1. Recipes for rations eg fishcakes: mushed up sardines and biscuits cooked in sardine oil; stew: meat, beans and biscuits; hot beans on fried biscuits. (Reel 2) Tommy Cooker carries own solid fuel and burns for half an hour. Each field cooker has limited cooking time therefore improvisation in the field is essential. Building a Turf Oven with an insulated oven chamber, fire box to circulate heat, flue and tight fitting door taking into account the raw materials available and the wind direction. Oven chamber (oil drum) must be raised off the ground to allow heat to circulate; turf dug to make walls; firebox plate made from petrol can and supported by an old tin; surround this with a turf wall place a fireplate on top with a hole for the chimney (cut ends of petrol tins off and join together in a stack). Any small gaps insulated with soil or turf; oven door made of petrol tins tied together; diagram shows circulation of hot air. (Reel 3) Design of ovens dependent on local materials eg in the desert Aldershot ovens are made. If no solid fuel exists use oil and water method with 2 large tins and 2 smaller tins (Lyles Golden Syrup tins). This method can be applied from the smallest to the largest of ovens. Ideal for the desert. To avoid detection at night cut oval shape to fit dixie out of petrol can, add a few handfuls of dirt, some petrol and ignite, place dixie on fire and no flame is visible. How to make tea; level measure is very important as is warming the dixie first and use boiling water. Keep petrol cookers clean and serviceable and learn to improvise. Reiteration of the importance of a hot meal. Very matter of fact film with logical presentation.

35mm