Field cooking equipment plays a vital role in maintaining the health and morale of troops in the field, directly impacting operational effectiveness. This article focuses on the major pieces of field cooking equipment the New Zealand military used from World War II to the present, offering a historical overview of their development, use, and eventual replacement. It intentionally excludes ancillary equipment such as refrigerators, hotboxes, water heaters and section cooking equipment to concentrate on the core cooking systems essential for food preparation in field conditions.

From introducing the No. 1 Burner during the mobilisation for World War II to adopting modern systems like the SERT PFC 500, each innovation reflects the evolving requirements of military field operations. This article highlights the importance of reliable and efficient food preparation and underscores the logistical ingenuity required to sustain forces in diverse and often challenging environments.

Through this exploration, we gain a deeper appreciation for the critical role field cooking solutions play in ensuring that troops remain well-fed and ready to meet the demands of military service.

The No 1 Burner

As New Zealand mobilised in September 1939, one of the many equipment deficiencies identified was the lack of portable cookers for preparing meals in the field. The coming war was anticipated to be one of mobility, rendering traditional cooking methods unsuitable. In response, the Army approached the New Zealand Ministry of Supply to procure 72 portable cookers for the First Echelon, with the possibility of an additional two for the Second Echelon. Samples were made available from existing Army stocks to facilitate the manufacture of the portable cookers.[1]

The portable cooker required by the Army was the No. 1 Hydra Burner, a petrol-burning device developed and patented by Lewis Motley in the 1920s. After 12 years of trials and refinement with the British Army, it was officially adopted as the No. 1 Hydra Burner, becoming the primary cooking and heating device for the British Army by 1939. The burner was designed to cook food in various ways using 6-gallon pots and frying pans, either by using a trench dug in the ground or a purpose-built stand on hard surfaces. The No. 1 Hydra Burner could also be used with Soyer or Fowler field stoves, providing flexibility in field cooking arrangements.

With samples of the No. 1 Burner available from New Zealand Army stocks, tenders were invited to supply 72 burner units and their associated parts and 432 hot boxes, dishes, fry pans, and stands.

Tendering Process and Contracts

The tendering process involved several prominent New Zealand engineering firms, such as:

• National Electrical & Engineering Co. Ltd., Wellington
• Precision Engineering Co. Ltd., Wellington
• Hardleys Ltd., Auckland
• D. Henry & Co. Ltd., Auckland
• Alex Harvey and Sons, Auckland

Ultimately, the contract for the burners and associated components was awarded to D. Henry & Co. Ltd., while Hardleys Ltd. took responsibility for the hot boxes and dishes. Delivery commenced in late 1939, and the equipment was completed in early 1940.

The burner unit manufactured by D. Henry & Co. featured a notable redesign from the original Hydra No. 1 Burner. It incorporated an air pump into the fuel vessel and modified the filling cap with a coil around the orifice. The updated design became the No. 1 Burner (New Pattern).

Expansion of Use

By July 1940, plans were underway to equip the Territorial Force fully, necessitating the procurement of an additional 260 No. 1 Burner units. Accessories for field cooking, such as 6-gallon cooking containers, frying pans, and baffle plates, were also ordered in large quantities. To ensure distributed cooking capability down to the section level, 396 Portable Cookers No. 2 and 207 Portable Cookers No. 3 were planned to be added to the inventory.

The distribution of equipment to the Ordnance Depots at Trentham, Ngāruawāhia, and Burnham ensured that units across the country were adequately supplied. Each depot received a portion of the 260 additional burners and 96 spare units and their respective accessories.

Operational Challenges and Adaptations

The No. 1 Burner (New Pattern) was not without its challenges. Upon entering service, numerous faults were reported, including:

• Difficulty maintaining pressure
• Issues with the nozzle
• Fuel leakage from the air pump

Many problems were exacerbated by using outdated instruction manuals, which referenced the original Hydra No. 1 Burner rather than the updated version. Ordnance Workshops conducted inspections to address these issues, and the manufacturer took remedial actions. Despite these efforts, the burner remained a critical component of the Army’s field cooking solutions throughout the war.

Post-War Usage and Decline

Following World War II, the No. 1 Burner remained in service, a testament to its robust design and utility. However, technological advancements and the introduction of lighter, more efficient equipment gradually led to its decline. In 1964, the adoption of M37 cooking cabinets began to replace the No. 1 Burner in many roles. By 1973, the burner was no longer listed as an item of supply in New Zealand Army scaling documents.[2]

Wiles Cookers

Early in World War II, the Australians developed and introduced the Wiles Senior and Junior Mobile Steam Cookers into their military service. Over 500 Junior Cookers were used by the Australian forces, earning positive feedback from American forces, who also adopted several units.[3]

In 1943, the New Zealand Commissioner of Supply acquired photos and blueprints of the Wiles Cookers and General Motors in Petone indicated they had the expertise and capacity to manufacture the cookers locally if the New Zealand Army placed an order. However, as the Army already had sufficient stocks of the No. 1 Burner, they decided against adopting the new cookers. Despite this, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) showed some interest. In 1942, the RNZAF received a Wiles Senior Field Kitchen (trailer) and a mobile cookhouse, which was later transferred to the Army.[4]

By 1948, the New Zealand Army still lacked a mobile field cooker and conducted extensive trials of a Wiles Cooker at Trentham. The trials demonstrated that the Wiles Cooker was well-suited to New Zealand’s field conditions. However, the United Kingdom was concurrently testing mobile field cookers, and no immediate action was taken to purchase the Wiles Cooker, as New Zealand hoped to adopt a standard cooker based on the British pattern.

In 1951, the UK trials concluded, selecting a two-wheeled trailer-mounted steam cooker to meet British requirements. However, several factors made it unlikely that New Zealand would obtain these British-pattern cookers for several years. Consequently, the idea of purchasing the Wiles Cooker from Australia was revisited.

Re-evaluation of the Wiles Cooker revealed that it met UK specifications and offered several advantages:

• Fuel Efficiency: The cooker uses light fuel, using only 25% of the standard fuel issue. Alternative fuels like scrub, deadwood, or dry rubbish are available. The cooker could run on wood, coal, or oil.
• High Cooking Pressure: Reduced cooking times significantly.
• Nutritional Benefits: High-pressure steaming preserved many vitamins in vegetables.
• Versatility: Three-course meals could be prepared, cooked, and served with minimal discomfort or inconvenience.
• Multiple Cooking Methods: The cooker supported roasting, steaming, and frying.
• Mobility: Meals could be prepared while the cooker was in transit.
• Hot Water Supply: A continuous flow of hot water was available for washing up.

Among the models available, the Junior Mobile Trailer Cooker was considered the most suitable for training cooks, supporting sub-unit camps and weekend bivouacs, serving as a reserve for national emergencies, and equipping mobilisation efforts.[5]

In 1951, the Wiles Junior Cooker was priced at £747 Australian (approximately NZD 44,130.80 in 2024). In July of that year, the New Zealand Cabinet approved an expenditure of £10,520 NZ Pounds (approximately NZD 696,003.20 in 2024) to purchase 16 Wiles Junior Cookers.[6]

Entering service in 1952, the New Zealand Army’s experience with the Wiles Cooker closely mirrored the challenges faced by the Australian Army. By the late 1970s, the Wiles Cooker had become obsolescent and was no longer in production. Several key issues highlight its unsuitability for continued use:

• Deterioration and Serviceability – The Wiles Cookers had progressively been withdrawn from service as repair costs now exceed the One-Time Repair Limit (OTRL).
• Fuel Challenges – The cooker relied on solid fuel, which was increasingly impractical. Procuring solid fuel was difficult and required significant time and labour for preparation. Liquid or gaseous fuels were then considered far more suitable due to their efficiency, availability, and ease of use.
• Maintenance and Support – The boilers required regular inspection and testing by RNZEME. Suitable repair parts and major components were no longer available, making maintenance increasingly challenging and costly.
• Operational Deficiencies—The Wiles Cooker used rubber hoses to channel cooking steam and hot water, imparting an unpleasant flavour to food and beverages. These inefficiencies compromise food quality, negatively impacting soldier morale in field conditions.
• Obsolescence and Reliability – The New Zealand equipment dated back to the 1950s based on a World War II design which had surpassed its economic life expectancy, with the Wiles Cooker unreliable and unable to meet the operational demands of the modern Army.[7]

The Wiles Cooker was quietly withdrawn from New Zealand Army service in the late 1970s as they were an obsolete, costly to maintain, and operationally inefficient equipment. The less mobile M-1937 and M-1959 Field Stoves provided field cooking functionality until a new mobile trailer was introduced into NZ Army service in 1985.

M-1937 and M-1959 Field Ranges

The Cooker, Field Range M-1937(M37), is a United States equipment introduced during World War II as a robust and versatile field cooking system designed to support forces in diverse and challenging environments. Compact, durable, and fuelled by a gasoline burner, the M37 can prepare meals for up to 75 personnel, depending on the menu. Its design emphasises portability and adaptability, allowing it to be used for baking, boiling, and frying with the appropriate accessories. Constructed from corrosion-resistant materials, it was built to endure the harsh conditions of field operations.

In New Zealand, the M37 was likely first acquired by the RNZAF and the 3rd New Zealand Division from United States Forces stocks, particularly for operations in the Pacific Theatre, where reliable hot meals were essential. Photographic evidence indicates that New Zealand forces used the M37 as early as 1956, highlighting its durability and effectiveness. Its formal adoption by the New Zealand Army likely occurred in the early 1960s as part of broader post-war efforts to standardise and modernise military equipment. The M37’s reliability in providing hot meals under challenging conditions made it an invaluable asset for field operations.

By 1982, the New Zealand Army introduced the Cooker, Field Range M-1959 (M59), as an upgraded successor to the M37. While retaining many of the original M37 components, the M59 incorporated several improvements.  The M59’s design improvements increased heat output and reduced cooking times. Adding improved safety features and compatibility with existing M37 parts eased its integration into New Zealand Army operations.

Despite the introduction of the M59, the M37 remained in service, often used alongside its successor. Both systems have continued to be a mainstay of field catering operations, supported by modern enhancements such as Gas Burner Units (GBUs) and Multi-Burner Units (MBUs). In 2024, the New Zealand Army received additional cabinets from Australia, further extending the operational lifespan of these systems. However, a growing challenge is the scarcity of replacement parts, including the original pots, pans, and utensils, which are no longer manufactured. This limits the ability to sustain these cooking systems in the long term, providing a challenge to the NZ Army to maintain proven systems with the need for investment in modern, sustainable field catering solutions.

Kärcher Field Kitchen

In 1985, the New Zealand Army introduced 28 Kärcher Tactical Field Kitchen 250 (TFK 250) units into service. Originally developed in 1984 for the German Armed Forces, the TFK 250 was adopted the following year. This highly mobile field kitchen can efficiently prepare meals for up to 250 personnel in demanding environments. Its modular cooking system includes multiple chambers, allowing a variety of dishes to be prepared simultaneously. Designed for versatility, the TFK 250 can operate using gas, diesel, or solid fuel, making it adaptable to available resources. Mounted on a robust trailer with off-road capability, it is well-suited for deployment in remote or rugged terrains. The unit’s energy-efficient heating system ensures reduced fuel consumption and rapid meal preparation, while its stainless steel surfaces simplify cleaning and sanitation. Quick to set up and dismantle, the TFK 250 meets the dynamic demands of operational environments with ergonomic controls for ease of use. Widely used by over 50 countries, humanitarian organisations and disaster response teams, the TFK 250 is renowned for its reliability, adaptability, and ability to function in extreme conditions. By the time production ceased in 2020, Kärcher had manufactured 3,000 of these mobile catering systems at their plant in Obersontheim, Germany.[8]

From 1985, the TFK250 became the cornerstone of NZDF field catering support. Supplemented by the M37/59 Field Ranges, it provided hot meals to New Zealand servicemen and women both at home and on operations around the world. Originally planned with a Life of Type (LOT) of 33 years set to expire in 2018, the TFK250’s LOT was extended by an additional seven years to 2025, bringing its total service life to an impressive 40 years.

SERT PFC 500

To replace the TFK250 and reintroduce laundry, shower, and ablution capabilities, the NZDF launched the Field Operational Hygiene and Catering System (FOHCS) project. This force modernisation initiative encompassed catering, shower, ablution, and laundry platforms. A request for proposals was issued on 27 March 2019, with the submission period closing on 12 May 2019, seeking a range of equipment to meet these objectives.[9]

The contract for the FOHCS requirement was awarded to Australian Defence Contractors, Nowra-based Global Defence Systems (GDS), with deliveries scheduled for completion by 2022. The platforms delivered by GDS were developed in collaboration with the French manufacturer SERT, a leader in deployable life support solutions for over 25 years. To ensure the NZDF maintained a robust sovereign sustainment capability throughout the equipment’s lifecycle, some components were manufactured in New Zealand, with engineering support services also available locally.[10]

The catering portion of the solution provided by GDS included ten SERT PFC 500 transportable kitchen platforms.[11]  The PFC 500 is installed on a modular platform designed to fit various logistic configurations, such as a trailer, two platforms in a 20’ dry ISO container, or on a flat rack.

Each PFC 500 unit has four stainless steel gastronorm cooking modules: the MultiSert multifunction kettle, the Big CombiSert combined oven, and the DuoSert fan-assisted oven with a hot plate on top. These units are highly energy-efficient, featuring the latest-generation components and SERT’s advanced high-efficiency burners, resulting in low electric power consumption. Additionally, the units are powered by a low-power generator, ensuring full autonomy in the field.

The expandable platform provides users with a sheltered work area measuring 14 m², elevated 40 cm above the ground for ease of use and protection.[12]

Despite nearly 70 years of experience demonstrating the utility of trailer-mounted field kitchens—for training cooks, supporting sub-unit camps and weekend bivouacs, aiding national emergencies such as earthquake recovery and flood relief, and supporting significant national events—the PFC 500 is not trailer-mounted. Instead, it is mounted on a platform requiring specialised material handling equipment (MHE) and vehicles for transport, which limits its utility. Consequently, despite being delivered in 2022, the PFC 500 has not yet been utilised for any significant events, such as disaster response, national hui and tangis. Meanwhile, the TFJ205 and M37/59 have continued to serve effectively, raising questions about the suitability of modern defence procurement decisions.

Conclusion

Field cooking equipment has been a cornerstone of New Zealand military logistics, ensuring that troops are well-fed and operationally effective in a variety of challenging conditions. From the No. 1 Burner’s ingenuity during World War II to the versatile M37/59 and the robust TFK 250, each system has contributed significantly to maintaining the health and morale of soldiers in the field. However, the NZDF’s latest procurement—the SERT PFC 500—has raised concerns about the organisation’s ability to learn from its own history and past successes.

The No. 1 Burner demonstrated the importance of adaptability, while the M37/59 and TFK 250 further underscored the value of functionality, flexibility, and mobility in field cooking systems. These systems not only meet operational requirements but also adapted to evolving military and humanitarian needs, proving their worth in national emergencies and international deployments.

In contrast, the SERT PFC 500 reflects a worrying departure from these principles. Its reliance on platform-mounted configurations requiring specialised material handling equipment and vehicles has limited its usability and undermined its intended purpose. This is particularly concerning given that the TFK 250 and even older M37/59 systems remain functional and continue to provide critical support in the field and for domestic disaster relief. Despite the NZDF’s modernisation goals, the PFC 500 lacks the versatility, mobility, and proven reliability that characterised its predecessors.

The NZDF’s choice of the SERT PFC 500 raises questions about its procurement processes and ability to prioritise operational needs over theoretical specifications. While the PFC 500 may offer advanced technology, its lack of practical flexibility and mobility represents a step backwards, especially compared to the legacy systems it replaced. This oversight suggests that the NZDF has “dropped the ball” with this procurement despite decades of valuable lessons in field cooking logistics.

Hopefully, this article will not only highlight these shortcomings but also encourage further research into this often-overlooked yet vital area of military logistics. By investigating historical successes, contemporary challenges, and future requirements, researchers and policymakers alike can ensure that future field cooking systems are innovative, practical, resilient, and aligned with the realities of modern military operations. Only by learning from past successes and failures can the NZDF develop solutions that effectively support its personnel in the field and beyond.

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Notes

[1] Memorandum Defence Purchase Division to the Factory Production Controller dated 2 October 1939. “War, Transport Supply – Portable Benzine Cookers,” Archives New Zealand Item No R20947073  (1939-1943).

[2]  Index to New Zealand Army Scaling Documents, vol. Issue No 7 (Trentham: Scales Section, RNZEME Directorate, 15 January, 1973). .

[3] Memorandum from the Office of the Director of Production to the Munitions Controller dated 26 July 1943. “War, Transport Supply – Portable Benzine Cookers.”

[4] “Trailer [‘Wiles’ Army Field Kitchen trailer],” Museum of Transport & Technology, 2024, accessed 1 December, 2024, https://collection.motat.nz/objects/9967/trailer-wiles-army-field-kitchen-trailer.

[5] Memorandum to Cabinet from Minster of Defence Subject: Purchase of Wiles Mobile Steam Cookers for NZ Army Dated 4 July 195. “Army Equipment.- General,” Archives New Zealand Item No R20821850  (1950-1957).

[6] Minute: Secretary of the Cabinet to Minister of Defence Subject: Purchase of Wiles Mobile Steam Cookers for NZ Army Dated 12 July 1951. “Army Equipment.- General.”

[7] “Standardisation -ABCA America/Britain/Canada/Australia] Army Standardisation – Quartermaster – Organisational Equipment – Bakery And Cooking,” Archives New Zealand Item No R6822201  (1974-1986).

[8] “The end of an era: Model series ends after more than 30 years,” Kärcher Futuretech, 2020, accessed 7 April, 2024, https://www.karcher-futuretech.com/en/inside-kaercher-futuretech/newsroom/medien-information/2152-the-end-of-an-era-model-series-ends-after-more-than-30-years.html.

[9] “Field Operational Hygiene and Catering Systems (FOHCS),” Closed Tenders, NZDF, 2019, accessed 1 Decemeber, 2024, https://www.gets.govt.nz/NZDF/ExternalTenderDetails.htm?id=20885024.

[10] “Nowra based GDS wins NZ Field Infrastucture Contract,” Australian Defence Magazine, 2020, accessed 1 Decemeber, 2024, https://www.australiandefence.com.au/defence/land/nowra-based-gds-wins-nz-field-infrastructure-contract.

[11] “New Zealand Defence Force overhauls Field Operational Hygiene and Catering System,” Defence Connect, 2020, accessed 1 December, 2024, https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/joint-capabilities/6009-new-zealand-defence-force-overhauls-field-operational-hygiene-and-catering-system.

[12] “Kitchen Platforms PFC500/100,” SERT Life Support, 2020, accessed 1 Decemeber, 2024, http://www.sert.fr/market-military/catering/trailersorplatforms/75-kitchensplatformspfc5001000.html.