During battle the kitchen would be left behind so they would be on hard rations known as Iron Rations.

They were similar to the American K rations but without the nice things like smokes and gum.

It would consist of tinned food and crackers.

I have 2 folow-up questions :

1. : how comon were field kitchens ( in germany called : Gulaschkanone ) during WW2 ?
2. The movie Stalingrad is featuring a Soldier carrying something that seems to be some kind of isolated backpack, bringing soup to a group of soldiers. Is this realistic ?