Since the Camp Algona POW Museum has been focused these past few weeks on planning our special exhibit about food production during WWII, tentatively titled “Our Food is Fighting,” I have decided to showcase a food related item in this week’s artifact of the week. To read more about this upcoming special exhibit, please read the “Historian’s Corner” blog, located here.
This is a canteen used by an American soldier in WWII. A canteen was a basic part of every soldier’s equipment. This canteen holds about 1 quart of liquid and is made out of stainless steel. The canteen has a curved “kidney shape” body and a screw on plastic cap attached by a chain. It sits in a separate metal cup that soldiers could use to make coffee, soup, or drinks. The entire canteen and cup is insulated by a cloth cover marked “U.S.” that can attach to a soldier’s belt or pack. The US military issued this style of canteen from 1942 to 1963.
This particular canteen is dated 1944 and was manufactured by the G.P. & F. Co.
-Annette, the Intern
This is a canteen used by an American soldier in WWII. A canteen was a basic part of every soldier’s equipment. This canteen holds about 1 quart of liquid and is made out of stainless steel. The canteen has a curved “kidney shape” body and a screw on plastic cap attached by a chain. It sits in a separate metal cup that soldiers could use to make coffee, soup, or drinks. The entire canteen and cup is insulated by a cloth cover marked “U.S.” that can attach to a soldier’s belt or pack. The US military issued this style of canteen from 1942 to 1963.
This particular canteen is dated 1944 and was manufactured by the G.P. & F. Co.
-Annette, the Intern