Jump to content

Military rations - all periods


autorifle
 Share

Recommended Posts

There is another string concerning WWII cigarettes. Can someone post examples of the cigarettes that were provided with the rations for all periods? I would like to see the evolution from WWII through Vietnam. Also was tobacco provided with rations during WWI?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Beau-Brummel

Next we have a packet of 4 Camel from the later K ration. This ration underwent 7 changes of specification during WW2 before being rendered obsolete in 1948. Only the later k rations contained cigarettes from approximately late 43 early 44.

post-1781-1191582590.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Beau-Brummel

This packet of 20 Camel is from a Korea period C Ration Accessory Pack. This was the last of the tinned accessory packs, ultimately replaced by a foiled paper package. The tin in my collection (pics to follow) was packed in April 1951.

post-1781-1191582913.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Beau-Brummel

Cigarettes, were removed from ration packs some time in the early to mid 1960's before being replaced at the request of the troops. Hope the above was what you were looking for Beast.

 

Yours, Guy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cigarettes, were removed from ration packs some time in the early to mid 1960's before being replaced at the request of the troops. Hope the above was what you were looking for Beast.

 

Yours, Guy.

 

Great job Guy! That is just what I was looking for. Now for a follow-on question. How do you tell the difference between a Vietnam 4 pack and a WWII 4 pack? According to the Nam vet that I work with, he thought all the cigarettes had been packed during WWII or Korea. At least they tasted that way! :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Nam vet that mentioned abopve also said that he thought there were Company size rations issued that had full (20 count?) pack of cigarettes included.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you Dustin, that is very interesting.

 

There seems to be a lot more gear in earlier parachute ration.

 

Yours, Guy.

Beau, yes!

The parachute ration was developed in early 1943 for inclusion in parachute back pad kits.This ration included much of the K ration but in a tin.Upon the development of the C-1 vest the USAAF requested a smaller ration for inclusion in the vest later that year to be renamed emergency parchute ration designed specifically for the C-1 vest.So to streamline the ration they had to eliminate components.

PARACHUTE RATION:

dehydrated chedder cheese

biscuits

chocolate

fruit bar

sugar

coffee

lemonade powder

chewing gum

halazone tablets

EMERGENCY PARACHUTE RATION

sweet chocolate

hard candy

dehydrated cheese & crackers

boullion cubes

sugar

halazone

chewing gum

cellophane bag

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Beau-Brummel

Thank you Dustin. I have always fancied one of these rations but they just don't turn up now do they. The last one I saw was on ebay about 4 years ago and it went for huge money.

 

Hi Beast I don't have any handy to compare to but would think it possible that the manufacturers details on Vietnam issue cigarettes carried a zip or area code. perhaps someone could look at theirs and confirm or disprove this? The 20 I have shown is from a 1951 c ration accssesory pack. Not sure why they issued 20's then as the normal daily issue seems to have been 9 with the WW2 C ration and 12 with the WW2 K ration. I too have heard about issue of 20's at company level but suspect this was in rear areas as opposed to the field as that was covered by the C ration I think. Have to be careful though as most of this is just conjecture. What we need is a look at the original specs and issue reg's.

 

Yours, Guy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...
The Nam vet that mentioned abopve also said that he thought there were Company size rations issued that had full (20 count?) pack of cigarettes included.

 

 

The company sized rations you mentioned were called SP packs. I don't remember what that stood for - that was what the troops called them. They were for troops in the field - 1 pack per 100 men per day. I remember there were 10 standard cartons of cigarettes (100 packs), writing paper, matches, candy, soap, and probably other stuff.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...