20161
W. Britain
After the logistical catastrophe/national scandal of the Crimean War,
Army dietary reforms were undertaken which focused on a high-energy
diet. Unfortunately, it was one lacking in variety and mostly
unappetizing. It was hardtack – and British soldiers despised the little
all-but-inedible wafers. In fact, these sea biscuits were universally
disliked by soldiers of many armies for hundreds of years. During Queen
Victoria’s reign army hardtack was made by machine and stamped with the
Queen’s mark and encased in sturdy wooden boxes. It is not known if the
density of the flat and flavorless wafers added to the structural
integrity of the aforementioned boxes but they made excellent defensive
positions.