At first blush this may sound like a strange question, but it does touch upon the most serious of subjects: logistics. Napoleon once famously said "An army marches on its stomach." With that in mind, which army do you think was the best fed? How about the worst? Most importantly, why?
Undoubtedly during WWII the US Army was the best fed. Case in point: General Stillwell, C in C American forces China, insisted and got American imported chow for his HQ, even though the Chinese insisted they could provide plenty of food. The American food had to be shipped from stateside to India then flown "over the Hump" into China. Chang Chi-chek would have prefered cargo tonnage be filled with ammo and weapons.
I would go with the US Army too. Particularly after the US logistical system was refined. Tangentially question, other than the aforementioned nation's military, which was the best fed? Early in the war? Mid? Late?
In the campaign in Malaya 1941/42 the Japanese daily rations consisted of approx 2,200 calories, Indian troops had 2,700 calories, the British 3,700 and the Australian's a whopping 4,300. These figures were provided by Brigadier CH Stringer, Deputy Director of Medical Services. Source, page 44, Singapore: Too little Too late by Brigadier Ivan Simson, Chief Engineer, Malaya Command 1941/42 published by Leo Cooper Ltd 1970.
Regarding the Kra Peninsula campaign, I recall I comment from a British survivor that High Command provided a 'European menu' which was really not suited to the climate. The comment was "Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding and the like was not welcomed by the troops". I wonder how much of the Austrialian's 4,300 calories was in Beer?
Brigadier Simsom did say that prior to the war, British & Australian rations were readily available to buy in many local shops, suggesting that the rations were too generous and that the surplus was being sold by the troops, for beer maybe?
