The Independent Cavalry Regiments

5th Zeta Lancers

On 10 January 1750, Lord Strazcowitz of Zeta offered to raise a regiment at his own expense for service in the Army. The King accepted his offer and thus was born one of the more unusual regiments of the Slydavian Army. While officially simply another unit in the cavalry corps, the distinction was lost on the public and the men serving in its ranks. It could hardly have been otherwise, as the unit was recruited entirely in the eastern region Zeta. It was equipped by Lord Strazcowitz, quartered in Lanzkigrad, and paraded outside the city’s old citadel. The men cut impressive figures, resplendent in dark blue uniforms and matching fezes, and mounted on local Zeta ponies with traditional lances.  Over the years the uniforms changed in only minor ways, until the 1920’s military reforms.  Unlike most Syldavian cavalry units the 5^th Zeta Lancers (and the 3^rd Polishov Hussars) have remained a non-mechanised force.  Despite this the regiment adopted the new uniforms, with some differences.  The new uniform of the regiment was, as of 1926: 

The regulation uniform for the on-duty cavalry enlisted man consists of the wool service coat (w/ a falling collar), fez, wool shirt, wool jodhpurs and riding boots. The boots are laced ankle boots. The boots are worn with matching gaiters and spurs with spur straps. Beginning in 1931, an ankle-height laced boot was issued to enlisted personal for the first time and worn with a separate canvas or leather gaiter. Prior to 1931, a knee-high boot was worn. All ranks would wear a pistol belt with holster and magazine pouch for the C96 Mauser Pistol. The pistol would be secured with a lanyard looped from left shoulder to right hip as required when armed with the pistol while on horseback. The mounted version of the cartridge belt has nine pockets each containing one en bloc clip of ammunition for the C96 Pistol. Additional ammunition is carried in the saddlebags for extended field service.

Weapons of the 5^th Zeta Lancers:

    * 1855 pattern Sabre carried by all cavalrymen.

    * C96 Mauser Military Pistol. The "96" was carried by all cavalry troopers for use as a mounted offensive weapon. The sabre had been retained as a cavalry service side arm although the pistol was the weapon exclusively employed in most actions. The pistol was always worn with a lanyard. The lanyard was worn from left shoulder to right hip and snapped to the butt of the pistol. It prevented loss of the pistol if dropped while on horseback.

The unit was known, officially, as the 5th Zeta Lancers.  Unofficially, it was known as the “Sir Kromir’s Light Horse” It was made up of three “banners” recruited exclusively from the famed horsemen of eastern Zeta. The regiment famously experienced a considerable amount of hard fighting during the 1851 border war with Borduria as well as the Zarawir crises of 1856.

3rd Polishov Hussars

The Polishov Light Horse was first raised in the 18th century. Initially they formed part of the 4th cavalry regiment performing scouting, reconnaissance and the like, but due to their successes in this role, (and also in charging and harassing the enemy), they soon acquired a reputation for courage and skill. The decision was made to allow the light horse to be formed as an independent regiment dedicated to this role, and the Polishov Light Horse were formed.

The Polishov Light Horse was initially known as Sir Vladizlav’s Regiment of Light Horse. By 1781 the regiment title was simplified to the 3rd Regiment of Light Horse. In 1861 the regiment changed its name to the 3rd Polishov Hussars and in 1924 it amalgamated the 8th Royal Hussars (Queen Najada's Own).

Before 1830 the regiment wore a dark blue, braided, dolman jacket and a leather "Tarleton" style helmet. After 1830the uniform consisted of dark blue jackets with short tails and a shako.

The 1851 War

In 1851 the regiment was ordered to prepare for service. On the 20 September the regiment, took part in the first major engagement of the War, the Battle of the Almazout Valley. Although the regiment’s role in the battle had been minimal early on in the day, with the Bordurians now in full retreat by the afternoon, General Prosdj ordered the Regiment to pursue the fleeing enemy. After a brief, but fruitful pursuit, the regiment was recalled when it was realized that the Bordurians had a significant uncommitted cavalry force in reserve.

During the 25 October the regiment took part in the Battle of Barazoum. They formed the right of the front line along with the 5th Zeta Lancers on the left. The 3rd and 5th moved forward; after 100 yards the 3rd Royal Lancers, in the second line, also moved off followed by the 5th and 6th. It was not long before they came under heavy Bordurian fire. The regiments were soon cutting down the artillerymen that had remained at their posts. Once the Bordurian guns had been passed, they engaged in hand-to-hand fighting with the few enemies that remained and engaging in a rout of those Bordurians forced to retire.

Renamed to The 3rd Polishov Hussars

On the 8 April 1861 the 3rd Regiment of Light Horse were renamed the 3rd Polishov Hussars. The regiment remained otherwise unchanged until 1918 when they underwent there next major change. The new uniform of the regiment was, as of 1918: 

The regulation uniform for the on-duty cavalry enlisted man consists of a grey wool service coat (w/ a standing collar), fez, shirt, grey wool jodhpurs and knee high riding boots. The boots are worn with spurs with spur straps. Prior to 1931, a knee-high boot was worn. NCO’s and officers would wear a pistol belt with holster and ammunition pouch for the Smith and Wesson Model 3 revolver. The pistol would be secured with a lanyard looped from left shoulder to right hip as required when armed with the pistol while on horseback. The mounted version of the cartridge belt had nine pockets each containing one clip of ammunition for the 1888 Mauser carbine. Additional ammunition is carried in the saddlebags for extended field service.

Weapons of the 3^rd Polishov Hussars:

    * 1855 pattern Sabre carried by all cavalrymen.
    * 1880 Smith and Wesson Model 3 revolver carried by all officers and NCO's.

    * 1888 Mauser carbine. The carbine was carried by all cavalry troopers for use as an offensive weapon. The sabre was been retained as a cavalry service side arm although the carbine was the weapon exclusively employed in most actions.

Independant Slydavian military units

Prior to the 1700’s, there was effectively no standing army in Syldavia, the King maintained a personal Bodyguard, the Royal Guard and the Honourable Company of Gentlemen, as well as a few locally raised companies to garrison important places. As we know from earlier discussions, troops required for foreign expeditions were raised upon an ad-hoc basis when required. This was a development of the feudal concept of fief (in which a lord was obliged to raise a certain quota of knights, men-at-arms and foot soldiers).

In practice, noblemen and professional soldiers were then commissioned by the King to supply troops. They would then raise their units, filling their quotas by indenture from a variety of sources. A Commission of War could be issued to raise even more troops for a foreign expeditions, drawing on a range of earlier laws that directed that, at least in theory, the entire male population who owned property over a certain amount in value, were required to keep arms at home and periodically train or report to musters.

The military reforms of the 1720’s created the first professional standing army in Syldavian history. The King Boris III issued the Royal Warrant that created the first units of what would become the Syldavian Army in May of that year. One of the first new units was the Royal Guards, which was recruited from soldiers formerly in service in the King’s personal guard and the Honourable Company of Gentlemen. This is the oldest infantry regiment in the Syldavian army (known simply as the "Royal Guard"). Infantry and cavalry units had originally been known by the names of their officers, such as "Sir Kazimir's Regiment of Foot", obviously this system could be confusing if officers succeeded each other rapidly or more than one officer of the same name commanded separate companies. In 1781 a numeral system was adopted, with each regiment gaining a number according to their rank in the order of precedence.

The continued existence of independent companies within the Syldavian military is something of an anomaly.  The reason for this lies with Boris III’s decision to allow some lords to continue to raise independent companies in their duchies.  Although they were encouraged to adhere to the new regulations, they were independently funded and for many years, these regiments were to be the most colourful and distinctive units in the Army, retaining much of Syldavia’s traditional dress.  The tradition continued down the years with the more recent raising of 6 motorcycle and bicycle companies in the mid 1930’s.

3rd Infantry Regiment, The Duke of Travunia's

4th Infantry Regiment, The Duke of Moltuja's Rifles

5th Infantry Regiment, The Duke of Hum's Fusilers

5th Zeta Lancers

3rd Polishov Hussars

13^th bicycle company

14^th bicycle company

15^th bicycle company

16^th frontier motorcycle company

17^th frontier motorcycle company

inspiration...and links

Why have I started down this road?  Well, it's several peoples fault* really.  As I've already aluded Herge is my primary motivator for all of this, as his stories are the ones that truly stuck with me.  As I grew older I dabbled in the world of historical reenactment (to various degrees of accuracy).  However, I hit upon a few problems...very basic problems: "accuracy versus creativity" and "politics".

Politics is an easy one to explain really.  I don't feel comfortable hanging about with folks who feel comfortable dressing up in an SS uniform...simple as that.  Since I'm a historian by nature and training I know why folks who got all pumped up dressing as Templers gave me that same odd feeling.

The other issue is ever so slightly more complicated I think...perhaps not, but it seems so to me.  The groups that can document every aspect of their impression are, I think, amazing.  However, at times this rigidity can stifle creative expression.  not that that is a major problem if the groups purpose is education, and logically an accurate display trumps these other concerns.  One option, for those of us with a creative bent is to reenact an under-researched pre-industrial era...loads of creative freedom there.  But, that bothered me greatly when the public was concerned...they don't understand that we are speculating, and take things at face value.

So what was needed was a fictional setting in which I could be creative and "reenact" without misleading anyone...but place like this don't exist do they?

At about this time I came across several sites that would in time inspire me greatly.  The first was Berget and that got me curious...but I'm not that excited by airsoft and strikes me that some of the folks who are (especially those into military simulations) are a bit "Waltish".  The "Inquisitiontrupp 23" was anther group that I ran across around that time.  Aside from being not a huge fan of GW I still think that this is a fantastic group and I'm impressed with what they have created. More photos of their work is available here.

The real problem with all of this was the time frame...Berget was roughly contemporary and the Inquisitiontrupp was science fiction.  Neither of these are eras that really grabbed my interest.  It was about then that I uncovered Despatches from Syldavia and remembered my earlier interest in Herge's work.

Hopefully in time I will create something that can inspire others...and hopefully it will be a fun trip.




*fault being the wrong word here...inspiration is better I suspect.

Equipment Source List

Now, the list below are just a few of the locations that I've found some of the components of this uniform for sale.  There are in fact numerous others out there.  In truth,  have no idea how reliable any of these vendors are.  Use your  best judgement.

1) Helmet

http://www.hessenantique.com/Swiss_M18_Steel_Helmet_p/s91667100.htm

http://www.etsy.com/listing/40393349/m-18-swiss-army-helmet-vintage-1918-1971

http://www.armysurplus.com/swissm-18.aspx

http://www.ima-usa.com/swiss-m-1916-steel-battle-helmet-wwi-era-darth-vader.html

and of course…there’s always Ebay.com

2) Coat, uniform, wool.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/new-east-german-army-dress-jacket-olive-drab.aspx?a=545659

http://www.tridentmilitary.com/EG-Uniforms.htm

http://gowenmilitaria.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=GM&Category_Code=TUN (generally fairly pricey, but there are deals to be found)

http://www.hessenantique.com/Reproduction_German_Uniforms_s/791.htm

and of course…there’s always Ebay.com

4) Trousers, straight leg, wool. 

(You are on your own here...just make sure they match the colour of the jacket)

5) Shirt, white linen/wool/cotton pull over without a collar, closed by 3 to 5 small buttons on the front.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/42239?from=SR&feat=sr

http://preview.tinyurl.com/68q8tpq

6) Boots, field service, black/brown

http://www.amazon.com/Carolina%C2%AE-Domestic-Engineer-Boots-Black/dp/B0002P8HIA

http://www.americanmadeworkboots.com/carolina902.html

7) Fez with insignia

(Your best option here is to build your own)

8) “bread bag”

http://www.omahas.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_28&products_id=1470

9) Belt, made of leather, stitched with roller buckle, black/brown

(These are fairly ubiquitous really.)

10) Canteen

The bottle portion can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com or http://www.target.com and a variety of other vendors.

11) Magazine pouches

http://www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/German_WWII_98K_Triple_Ammo_Pouch_Repro_803120.html

http://www.ima-usa.com/nation/german-militaria/german-mauser-98-05-98k/german-wwii-98k-triple-ammunition-pouch-black-set-of-2.html

and of course…there’s always Ebay.com

12) Rifle

No matter what this is a DIY job, someday I’d like to have templates up here for the plywood/wood form…until then remember that the 1888 Mauser is the likely inspiration for the Syldavian rifle.

The required fittings can be found here: http://www.culturedcowboy.com/kids/parrismfg/pages/riflesnreplicas.htm

Either the “Kadet Trainerifle” or “Full Size Trainerifle”

The evolution and appearance of the Home Guard

Until the reign of Boris III and his military reforms of the 1720’s the Home Guard did not truly exist.  The reforms began the process of codifying the guard’s existence.  Prior to this the ancestor of the guard was the peasant levy that the great dukes could raise in times of strife to bolster their retinues. Until the 1740’s the common soldiers consisted largely of peasantry recruited or impressed into service with little training, leading many to avoid service. In order to halt this trend, Boris IIII divided the nation into regimental regions. Every youth was required to serve as a soldier in the Home Guard of their district for three months each year; this met agrarian needs and added the potential of extra troops to bolster the regular ranks.  Sadly, the Guard was not truly supplied, organized or led adequately until the next phase of military reforms in the 1920’s.  In the 1740 edict conscripted every free able-bodied male citizen between the ages of 18 and 25 into the local Home Guard overseen by the region. Members were to be issued with a musket, bayonet and belt, two spare flints, a cartridge box with 24 bullets, a powder horn, 1/4 pound of gunpowder, and a uniform coat.

Over the years the Home Guard "uniform" all too often consisted only of a white armband with words “HФMЗ GЦДЯD”. Although the government tried to issue as many of its members as possible with military uniforms, these were rarely provided in sufficient numbers, thus many members of the Guard wore makeshift uniforms or their civilian clothes.

Typically during their three months of service a year members of the Home Guard received basic military training.  This would have included brief overview of military tactics and training on the use of basic weapons. There was sadly little to no standardization of any kind and units were often issued whatever equipment was available. This often resulted in some units looking very ragged, whilst others were rather uniform.  Armament was equally diverse, while some ex-regular army firearms were on hand, members were issued a plethora of Bordurian, Albanian, Russian, French, Italian and various other weapons that had been obtained at low cost by the government.

Fortunately for the Home Guard it finally received some well-deserved attention as a result of the 1924 reforms. Theses reforms expanded the ages of eligibility to male citizens between 18 and 45.  Members were now required to serve for set terms of three years and report for training twice a year, usually in the Spring and Fall.  The supply issues that so characterized the old guard units were improved with the issue of a standardized new uniform drawn from the same stock as the regular armed forces (distinguished by a brown collar) as well as the issue of rifles in the same standard calibre and design as that of the regular army.

The 1939 invasion

The Polishov Home Guard regiment features heavily in the opening stages of Borduria’s invasion of eastern Syldavia.  Although the members of the regiment were ultimately overcome and forced to surrender and lay down their arms, they managed to hold up the Bordurian advance in several hours of fierce fighting around Niedzdrow.

On 2 April 1939, Bordurian forces crossed the eastern borders of Syldavia. Resistance from the Polishov regions home guard regiment met the initial stages of the invasion. Having crossed the border in the early hours of the morning the first priority of the Bordurian forces was the regional capital and the Home Guard barracks.  Most HG members were not in the barracks at the time of the attack and so the Bordurians were robbed of an immediate victory.  Alerted to the attack members of the Polishov HG soon arrived in small bands in Niedzdrow with the intention of resisting the invasion.  This sporadic arrival was something of a double edged sword for the Syldavian’s as on the one hand they could not mount a large enough force to effectively resist the Bordurians for long, and on the other hand the Bordurians were constantly harassed on the morning of the 2^nd. The engagement between the Bordurian troops and the Polishov Home Guard was fierce but sporadic, with the last holdouts surrendering at noon in the regional capital.  This was not to be the last we would hear of the Polishov HG though.  Many of the remaining members who were not among those in the city centre at noon simply slipped out of the city to rejoin other latecomers.  Their resistance in the region continued until the 12^th of April with the arrival of the 1^st & 2^nd Mountain Brigade.

Due to the disorganised nature of the defence, most HG members in the city were either in civilian dress or only in partial uniform.  At one point taxis were commandeered to ferry ammunition and arms to various resistance points around the city.  The HG that operated in the region after the city’s surrender was a more organised affair and conducted its operations in proper uniforms.

Syldavian Mechanised Cavalry


 Renault FT17

There were a total of 30 FT17 tanks obtained for use in the original Experimental Mechanised Company. Eight of these were received in 1920 from French troops stationed in Bulgaria. The remainder was purchased in 1925 from various unknown sources.  It is not known if these FT-17’s were from French or Polish units. There is some mention of the Polish made CWS-FT-17’s being exported at the time*.

*Some reports state "about 30", others state 64, still others claim 90. It is believed that Poland, with the agreement of Uruguay, sent some of the tanks to Spain. There were two or three companies (some 30-45 tanks) sold to China, and one (probably only one) company sold secretly to Spain via Uruguay. Exactly how many made it to Yugoslavia and Syldavia is unknown.

B1

Impressed with the overall performance of the FT17 the Syldavian government pursued the production of a Syldavian version of the Renault FT17 which they designated the B1. 

B1 Specifications
Crew	2
Weight	6.8 tons
Length	5m
Width	1.9m
Height	Height - 2.3m
Engine	Hveghi 145 air-cooled engine
Armament	One 37mm cannon.
Armor	17mm
Performance	Speed: 9+ Range: 30 miles (on road).

B1a

Of the original 30 FT17 tanks, 24 of these were redesigned following the introduction of the B1 to serve as self-propelled artillery pieces*.  They featured a 75 mm Krupp howitzer on fixed superstructure, and new engines.  They were re-designated B1a by the war office.

*The remaining in 6 tanks were similarly refitted (although without the main gun)

 and transferred to the tank driving school.

B1a Specifications
Crew	3
Weight	6 tons
Length	5m
Width	2m
Height	Height - 2m
Engine	Hveghi 145 air-cooled engine
Armament	One 75mm cannon.
Armor	6mm
Performance	Speed: 8 Range: 25 miles (on road).

B2

The Syldavian Army’s Experimental Mechanised Company tested a number of tanks, before settling on and purchasing forty-two of the Vickers-Carden-Loyd 6 ton light tank (designated B2 by the Syldavians) as a replacement for the B1.

B2 Specifications
Crew	2
Weight	3.8 tons
Length	11' 10.75"
Width	6' 2.5"
Height	6' 2"
Engine	Meadows 6cyl 90hp
Armament	1x .30cal MG
Armor	7 - 9mm
Performance	40 mph

B3

In 1935 the government ordered the creation of an up-graded version of the Vickers Light Tank.  The original 42 B2’s were upgraded in the fall of  ’35 and returned to service along side 58 locally produced B3’s.

B3 Specifications
Crew	2
Weight	4 tons
Length	11’ 10.75”
Width	6’ 2.5”
Height	6’ 2”
Engine	Hveghi 6cyl 90 hp
Armament	1x 37mm 1x7.9mm MG
Armor	10mm
Performance	40 mph

T15

In 1929, the BGV truck chassis was used as the basis for an armoured car. The Army ordered two prototypes with superstructure built by the Royal Ordinance Factory in Klow. This prototype was armed with a .30 machine gun and operated by a crew of three. Both the rear axles were fitted with twin-tired wheels. In 1929 the prototype was sent testing but it was not a success. On its return it was fitted with a new turret, mounting twin Maxim M08 machine guns. The second prototype was built in 1930 and included a lower bonnet to improve the drivers view and improved armour. Impressed with the second version an order for 50 vehicles was arranged and delivered by 1931.

Specifications
Crew	4
Weight	10,340 lbs
Length	16’
Width	6' 4"
Height	7' 6"
Engine	Hveghi 60hp
Armament	2 x7.9mm MG
Armor	8mm (max)
Performance	50 mph

T16

In 1934, the BGV truck chassis was again used as the basis for an armoured car.  This time the design was an improvement upon the popular T15 armoured car: mounting a 37mm main gun, an improved engine, and thicker armour. 90 vehicles were produced by 1935.

Specifications
Crew	3
Weight	6150kg
Length	3.74M
Width	2.05M
Height	2M
Engine	Hveghi 75hp
Armament	1 x 37mm, 1x7.9mm MG
Armor	15mm (max)
Performance	69 mph

T1

In 1935, a lighter BGV truck chassis was used as the basis for another armoured car.  This time the simpler design was intended to provide the Home Guard and the Mountain Infantry with a simple armoured car. 75 vehicles were produced by 1938.

Specifications
Crew	3
Weight	5000kg
Length	3.74M
Width	2.05M
Height	2M
Engine	Hveghi 75hp
Armament	1 x 7.9mm MG
Armor	7mm (max)
Performance	69 mph

So how does one go about re-labelling cans?

The first step is to create new Syldavian canned food labels.  Since food will have originated from several regional military supply centers the labels should be similar, but with some variation.  Labels should be olive, off white or light brown with simple black lettering noting the contents.  For example:

 Baza, 300 grams

Klobaza, 200 grams

 Krajek, 300 grams

or  you could even run it through a fake cyrillic generator http://www.theworldofstuff.com/other/cyrillic.html

ЬДZД, 300 GЯДMS

  КLФЪДZД, 200 GЯДMS

   КЯДJЗК, 300 GЯДMS

 

You should then keep these in a handy folder, either as hard copies or electronically.  Whenever a label is needed, either travel down to the local office supply or have your original colour copied. Another option is to print reproduction labels from computer files such as jpg or PDF files. The original label should be scanned at 300 dpi or better and then printed on a laser printer. For those without their own laser printer your files can be saved to a datastick/flashdrive and again taken down to an office supply/Kinko’s and printed on the laser printer. Once the reproduction label is created, remove the modern label from the can and apply the reproduction to the can – it’s that simple.  At some point in the future I intend to post several examples of these labels in this section.

Meat

Processed beef was probably the most common form of the meat ration, and was packed in 12-ounce trapezoidal cans. Similar items are available in any grocery store in the canned meat section from companies such as Libby, Armour or the store’s own brand.

Bread

The soldier’s bread ration usually came in one of two possible forms – hard bread and loaf bread. The best approximation of this hard bread is the German knackebrot and is available in most stores. Like the crackers hard bread was issued to the soldier in cardboard boxes.  It might seem odd with the concerns over spoilage and contamination; however, it was fairly common for soldiers to receive loaf bread (again usually with food coming from the mobile kitchen). Loaves of bread from these kitchens varied by region and style, to replicate this choose a wholemeal loaf weighing one pound, un-sliced, these are commonly available at most local bakeries and specialty grocers.

Canned Fruits, Vegetables and Soups

Fruits and vegetables received by the soldier were most often of the canned variety. When using canned fruits and vegetables stick to the staples and avoid the exotic products.  Soups and stews were also frequently issued to frontline troops.

Salt, tea, coffee

There is no need to do anything special about tea, coffee, or salt. We all have it in our home kitchen. Condiment tins were issued and permitted the soldier to carry several days’ ration of these.

Local Foods

While the army provided the bulk of soldiers’ food, the local population serves as a possible source of food available for purchase. The soldier was sometimes able to purchase such items as eggs, cheese, breads, fresh meats, fresh vegetables, and wines.

Royal Syldavian Army, A Guide for Re-creating Foods and Rations

During both peacetime and war, a soldier usually received his food prepared by company cooks, in their garrison or if in the field from mobile kitchens, who were able to prepare meals from canned, fresh and dehydrated foods. The mobile kitchens allowed the cooking and feeding operations of a company to keep up with advances or to operate to the rear of a static line. Food would then be brought up to the front in insulated cans to be distributed to soldiers in the lines.

While on campaign or if the tactical considerations prohibited the bringing up of hot food for 24 hours or more, soldiers would then rely their full or half-field rations supplied by the company kitchen’s stores. The ration was carried in the soldier’s musette or “bread bag”.  The full Field Ration consisted of 300 grams of hard bread or crackers (maznica or mazek), 200-300 grams of preserved meat or Sausage (Baza or klobaza) or Stew (zka), 300 grams of preserved or canned vegetables (krajek), 25 grams of tea or coffee (tolko or vovka), and 25 grams of salt.  The half Portion consisted of canned meat and crackers only.

Supplies of the “full” Field Ration (with canned vegetables, salt, coffee, etc.) were stored with the field kitchen. Prior to beginning a tactical march or a movement to contact, troops were issued an additional day's issue of field rations if sufficient numbers were available.

What did the Field Ration look like?  While few examples of the canned meat are known to have survived the war, we do have some detailed descriptions left by soldiers.  For example, the standard meat portion of the Field Ration came packed in a can that measured 3 inches high by 2 ⅝ inches wide.  Weighing between 200 and 300 grams net, the can was normally packed with various pork or beef products.  Size had to be kept to a minimum in order for the can to fit inside the soldier’s bag.  The cans were usually labelled quite simply, since they were issued directly from the regimental store, with a descriptive paper label glued to the outside.

The hard bread/cracker portion of the Field Ration offered a bit more variety, though its taste apparently left something to be desired.  Depending upon what was available from Syldavia’s food industry, a soldier could have received 300 grams of hard bread or plain crackers.  They were occasionally issued individually or pre-packed in paper or cardboard boxes.  Again, it would have had to fit inside the “bread bag”.  This hard bread was similar to the Swedish crisp bread that is available at any modern deli.  It came packed four to a carton, with each piece measuring 5 ⅜ inches by 4 ½ inches by ¼ inches thick.  Another common substitute for fresh bread in the Field Ration was the common cracker.  These were often issued loose, directly from a tin or wooden crate, and varied in shaped, but generally measured 2 ⅛ inches by 2 ⅛ inches by 3/16 inches thick.

In the field articles requisitioned or purchased locally or shipped from the rear often supplemented the Field Ration.  As we start, it is important to note that a large portion of the field ration was packaged in cans and boxes for effective food preservation, efficient use of shipping space and protection from contamination. However, the methods of food packaging have changed considerably. The biggest developments which affects the re-creation of the rations is the use of “EZ-open” tops. Cans with “EZ-open” tops must be avoided, as these aren’t appropriate to the period.  It is the re-labeling and repackaging that allow our Syldavian rations take shape. Removing the modern label and replacing it with a Syldavian label will go a long way to creating the right look for our impression.