During the Second World War , the January 1943 issue of the American National Geographic Magazine ,urging readers to buy U.S. war bonds and stamps , carried the above full page advertisement for SPAM- said to be perfect for luncheons , supper or STAG PARTIES ! It must be said that stag parties where SPAM is served up seems pretty tame by Australian standards . Napoleon Bonaparte famously said an army marches on its stomach . It is a sure bet that the Marines were not marching on this tinned tucker when they stormed ashore in various parts of the Pacific . Apart from recipes for SPAM , it was pointed out that the metal key to open a tin of SPAM should be saved , as there would be no more keys for a" duration ", presumably of the war , or use a can opener . Were the keys made into bullets?
In an article in the magazine about American servicemen in Australia there is an interesting insight into the food on offer , both in the community and at American bomber bases. In a town near a base , American reporter-photographer Howell Walker wrote that streets seethed with soldiers, sailors and airmen of both Australian and American forces . Hotels and restaurants had to turn hungry servicemen away at mealtime .
He and some airmen had tried vainly to get a square meal and had to be satisfied with a round of milkshakes and sandwiches ( SPAM ?), the bill 16 shillings for a few sips and nibbles.
At another base, they had a choice of cold salmon and salad or braised chops with vegetables , tea , bread and butter and oranges.
