I suspect that the "H" shaped widget is there to keep any cans from breaking the glass in the event of turbulent movement of the boat. Also, the smaller can opener is a P-38, while the larger version is the P-51. Fun fact, the Australian Army still use that type of can opener, modified with a spoon on the end. It's called a "FRED": Field Ration Eating Device, or F'ing Ridiculous Eating Doohicky.
Along with those items already mentioned you have to remember that just about everyone was issued a military pocket knife back then. I have one with U.S. markings and another with U.S.M.C. markings. There is a can opener on that thing.
It called a p-38 can opener or know as a John wayne by the usmc. Often times sailor and military personal would attach the can opener alongside there dog tag. Also they would include one with your box of c ration.
We never got to use salvage air food port but we were trained about it. We were told to dump the first portions out because the pipes had antifreeze in them and do not kill yourself.
I only really noticed the inflection until it was mentioned here @@USSCod Public speaking is brave and making one take videos is fun. It feels like we are there on the tour.
I really enjoy your channel, even though I am an Army retiree. Retired in 1994, and still have a couple of P38 can openers. I'm a military history buff, all countries and branches of service. Thanks Paul, keep the great content coming.
70s era Submariner here. During our qual process, were were indeed taught that the air salvage system could be used to deliver some sort of nourishment in the event of an extended rescue. We were told it would be in the form of sort of hot soup. Never heard of the pink substance you mentioned. Also, in our case, the were no "emergency rations" formally stowed about the ship. At least not in my torpedoroom. Unless,....you counted the cans of mixed nuts we commandeered from the wardroom ;)
I was an ARMY REMF in Vietnam. I always kept extra food in my cargo pockets in case we got left at an LZ or got hit and would get hungry staying up all night.
Ha ha, USS Ranger 1968, AQ2 VA-56. You made me remember, I was part of a working party for an UNREP. ONE OF THE BOXES HAD THESE BIG CANS OF MIXED NUTS. I “diverted “ that box and my shop had mixed nuts for weeks. Thanks for the memories.
I always got volunteered to help unload food from the TAK. Mixed nuts were a prize to regular sailors. Sometimes you could make a deal with a cook for a can as well. 1972 USS Simon Lake AS-33
Cookie Wainwright (Alan Hale Sr.) in "Destination Tokyo" could prepare some good looking sandwiches with those beefy arms, and covered them with his meat hooks when they were under emergency conditions.
Not to my knowledge. Subs were built far stronger than surface ships so they were already built "shored up against sea pressure" to the extent of their depth rating. Beyond that sea pressure is so powerful that shoring is impossible. Our DC kits contain wood cones and hammers to pound into (shell or bullet) holes in the pressure hull.
@@paulfarace9595 At 9:16 there's a can of Ballistol stowed at the right of the picture. It's a great gun cleaner, although more of a German thing in the 40's. The viewers miss nothing. 😂
Interesting channel. I liked and subbed. I remember visiting the USS ling a Balao-class boat when I was in cub scouts. Now it sits, derelict, in the Hackensack River. Many plans have come and gone. I look at the USS Cod and think what could be
As a kid I knew a ww2 sub vet that served on the uss Dace during the battle of Leyte gulf. He talked about bug juice, it was a cool aid like powder they would drink. He also was a plank owner of the uss wahoo and had photo of him and mush Morton who was a submarine legend.
In the video game Fallout 4, there was a school that had its students and staff fed exclusively with a pink paste. I wonder if this was the inspiration
Great Info! Thanks Paul! ⚓⚓ "U.S. ARMY POCKET CAN OPENER" and "OPENER, CAN, HAND, FOLDING, TYPE I" Also know as the P-38. (As with other military terms/names...no one knows for sure where "P-38" comes from)
You have to remember, military members tend to be younger. Even in WWII I think the average age was 23, but you could find 12 year olds during that time too. Originally it would have held dense caloric content foodstuffs, either bricks of Charms candies (most likely), or sugar filled hardtack survival biscuits. I would expect a mix of the two, and also supply issues forcing the use of canned goods. The H bar is there to prevent the contents from shifting and smashing the glass. The unit was locked, because the younger crew would be attracted to the Charms candy... geedunk was usually restricted on ships.
I think there were many types and sizes. I remember P-38 was the small one. There is a RU-vidr… I copied the following from Wikipedia (it is accurate): Steven Andrew Thomas, known online as Steve1989MREInfo, Steve MRE, or Steve1989, is an American RU-vidr and military history commentator, best known for his RU-vid video content in which he unboxes and eats military rations. I’m sure if you asked him he could tell you everything you wanted to know about the particular Navy ration that would have been in the Navy inventory. From whatever timeframe you give him he will tell you about the ration. He not only has them in his collection… he most likely has eaten them and can describe the tastes and smells. He’s one of my favorite Military Historians/RU-vid Creators. Great video.
@@paulfarace9595 I haven’t personally had the pleasure of witnessing the well cherished piece of US naval history that is the USS Batfish (which is a shame as I have traveled most of this wonderful state and love military history) it seems the sub is currently closed to visitors but is still able to be viewed from the outside. We love what little naval history we have here in our state and I’m sure she’s in good hands over in Muskogee
First time I've heard of the pink soup meal supplement. Then again - the Brits had a survival ration during the war that was just a tin full of tootsie rolls and Benzedrine pills, so I'm willing to accept that there were some - creative - ideas about nutrition in emergency situations. If you haven't already read it - look for a book called "The Terrible Hours" by Peter Maas about the rescue of the Squalus and development of sub escape technology.
The Terrible Hours is an excellent book! I've read it twice. The author does a really good job of bringing the tension of the event and the history to life.
I think the metal guard on the inside of the Emergency Ration Box was to keep cans inside the box from rattling around inside and breaking the glass. Were there more than one Ration box in each compartment? There does not seem to be enough room in this box to feed many sailors.
Never heard of the pink liquid you spoke about. However, I remember being told in sub school that a 'soup' could be sent down the high salvage lines if need be. We were reminded that if you didn't have any normal containers for collecting it, a white hat would suffice.
@@paulfarace9595 unfortunately, the D bars were specifically designed not to taste particularly good, so the troops wouldn't be tempted to consume them like candy.
Am I the only one who thought the survival kit should include : 1 45 caliber automatic 2 boxes of ammunition Four days' concentrated emergency rations One drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills One miniature combination Japanese phrase book and Bible One hundred dollars in Yen One hundred dollars in gold Nine packs of chewing gum One issue of prophylactics Three lipsticks Three pair of nylon stockings.
8:42 Engine jacket water would not be drinkable. Besides the chemicals added to it, the metals from the engine also leach into the water. 8:54 But the distilled water is totally drinkable.
In Vietnam I carried a "P-38" can opener everywhere. 1969-1970 was in the "C Ration" era of canned everything. I carried it in my leather key holder for decades afterwards as a reminder.
From Tim. We created a false deck by placing can goods on the after battery floor. Card board was placed on top of the cans to create a walk way. Of course, the aft battery cans were used first.
I think you will find the guard in the emergency food locker is there to prevent the contents breaking the glass in rough weather or during a depth charge attack. The lockers would have to be locked to ensure the sailors didn't eat the contents when there was not an emergency. The key more than likely was not located in the same compartment so the only way a trapped crew could access the emergency rations was to break the glass.
I had a WW-II P-38 lifted from me by a TSA agent...still pisses me off to this day. It's a racket & totally ridiculous what they confiscate & then sell on E-Bay.
How did I pick -up your sight? Must be that I `ve been watching too many 1957 Episodes of "The Silent Service" TV Show. One of my favorites. A question, on WWII subs, why didn`t they carry more than one radio unit? One or two in storage for emergency use?
Some thoughts on that.... yes, a bag would be lighter and more versatile, but less reliable in keeping the contents secure and in place for the designated event, should it ever occur. Anyone with a knife could slice a hole in the back side of the bag, and take out contents, then put the bag back in the original position. Anyone could relocate the bag, then in a time of need, the e-rations aren`t where they are supposed to be. You never know, if the lights aren`t working, who the hell wants to be fumbling around in pitch dark, feeling for a bag of food that, hopefully, is in that compartment. At least if that cabinet is still there, someone will remember roughly where it is. That said, I have never in my life opened up a can of food in complete darkness. Not going to try it any time soon, I hope.
What a situation that would be. Trapped in a cold dark hulk that the sub has become. On top of that somebody probably has to undo a fitting or valve so the crew can suckle at the sweet pink live giving milk like new born whale calves feeding at their mother's teat....
