The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-06-11
ARMY KITCHEN MUST PROVIDE
 FRESH BREADS
By HARRY M. HESS, JR. HA- A--

tUnlbeu FEeSS SbAH NOEkeSpOnuenbD
 Chicago, June l1-(UP)-The U. 8. Army Quartermaster Corps Sub- sistence Depot not only must see that Johnny Doughboy gets the cor- rect foods, 1t must be assured that his food Is properly cooked-or, to cite a specific example, that his bread is properly baked.
 So, the army baker in this war goes to school-flve weeks of It. and he doesn't graduate unless he learns to bake a perfect loaf.
 The school idea developed after the army quartermaSter corps learned that Johnny was e very particular customer. Unless his bread was wholesome, tasty and fresh, he wouldn't eat it.
 But master bakers ripe for induc- ton weren't plentiful. There were not enough of them to teach volun- teers to bake, and so the Quarter master Generals office decided to set up Q series of bakery schools.
 16 Hours . Day
 The best equipped of these Is the former American Institute of Bak- ing school, now the U. s. Army School for Baking Instructors. At the request of the army, the 1nSt- ute turned over its staff of five master bakers, its clasSroognS, bak- ing facilities and library.
 The course, under the direction of William Walmsley, 8 civilian with 2l years experience in baking, lasts five weeks. Each entering class is composed of 72 men-36 of them officers and 36 enlisted soldiers
 Glasses start at 5:30 8. m. and continue until g ?. m. every day in- cluding Sunday. The day is divided into class time and baking time.
 During class instruction, the men are taught the theory of baking. Instructors explain the best types of dough to use for different breads, what strains of yeast give best re- suits, how to age flour, how much salt to use for proper consistency, and all other things bakers need to know.
 All Weather Baking
 When class is over, the men ad. journ to the campus" @ stretch of yard right in the heart of Chicago's north side industrial section where the army has installed field bak- cry completely equipped with all types of field ovens.
 Here, the men, to the everlasting aStonishment of the rleighbors who stare from nearby windows, do the baking. In square army tents they mix the dough-sone using the latest type engine driven mixers and others mixing by hand in large troughs.
 There are three types of ovens in use at the school-the modern corn- pact field oven which divides into two easily transportable sections. the bulkier "No. field oven" and the improvised barrel oven."
 An Emergency Oven
 The "barrel oven" Is the answer to the question. What happens if the field equipment gets lostp" Nothing happens. The bakers place an oil barrel over rectangular fire pit, build a clay top over the barrel If clay isn't handy they can use g parts of dirt and one part of flour fashion @ tin door, build a fire. and put in the bread pan.
 All types. of ovens are adaptable to wood, coal oil, or high pressure gas fuel. There are three standard army loaves-"garrison," sheet" or round field"
 Garrison" bread is used where immediate consumption is antic!- pated and where baking facilities are at least Semi-permanent. It Is essentially the same as the civilian commercial loaf.
 Round field" bread is a four pound loaf, heavy in moisture con- tent, used when troops are expect ed to be away from the headquar- ters for some time. Soggy when 1t leaves the oven, 1t becomes light and tasty after aging for a week.
 Good Bakers, or Else
 Sheet" loaves are used when conditions require bread that can be stored for short periods of time. It is composed of five loaves of the garrison type, joined together, and has a medium heavy crust.
 Rain, shine, Sleet or snow, the men must stay at their ovens in order to become adept bakers under any condition.
 After graduation they are as- signed to camps all over the coun- try and maybe elsewhere. Some of them become head bakers, some assistants, and others instructors. But all of them will be good on their jobs.
 "If we aren't" as one of the pri- yates said, we're liable to find our- selves relegated to the infantry"