Australian Operational Ration 1941
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 9:23 pm
I am interested in Field meal history. Be it Military war time or Civilian foodstuff made for Hunting. camping and expeditions.
Below is an interesting article on the development of Australian combat meals made for jungle use.
Some of you might find it worthwhile
Australia was a pioneer in the introduction of modern combat meals. These were by the standard of the day lightweight, nutritious and palatable for short term combat use in harsh climate and condition
These early meals seem crude but were ahead of their time. A great amount of thought and research went into their development.
Any of us that has eaten a modern Combat meal should read the entire section. It compares major military powers combat meals with pros and cons. Also you can see what they thought were ideal portions per day and How much weight troops lost in mountain warfare exercises while consuming these new meals
http://www.army.gov.au/~/media/Files/Ou ... n%20O2.pdf
‘Operational Ration’, which was introduced to supply the ration
necessary for subsistence when the complete army ration could not be supplied because of
military or physical conditions.
During development it was stated that the operational ration must fulfil certain requirements,
including:
• All dietary elements must be present to satisfy hunger and the calls of nutrition, so as to
present a balanced ration.
• It must withstand heat, and not deteriorate during storage.
• No cooking must be needed.
• Flavour must be maintained, e.g. there must be no rancid change in fat.
• Sterilisation must kill all eggs of moths or weevils.
• It must be in a container easy to open but strong enough to withstand air-dropping.
• Packs must be water-proof.
• Design must meet the current size and shape, and certain items can only be made by
machinery.
Below is an interesting article on the development of Australian combat meals made for jungle use.
Some of you might find it worthwhile
Australia was a pioneer in the introduction of modern combat meals. These were by the standard of the day lightweight, nutritious and palatable for short term combat use in harsh climate and condition
These early meals seem crude but were ahead of their time. A great amount of thought and research went into their development.
Any of us that has eaten a modern Combat meal should read the entire section. It compares major military powers combat meals with pros and cons. Also you can see what they thought were ideal portions per day and How much weight troops lost in mountain warfare exercises while consuming these new meals
http://www.army.gov.au/~/media/Files/Ou ... n%20O2.pdf
‘Operational Ration’, which was introduced to supply the ration
necessary for subsistence when the complete army ration could not be supplied because of
military or physical conditions.
During development it was stated that the operational ration must fulfil certain requirements,
including:
• All dietary elements must be present to satisfy hunger and the calls of nutrition, so as to
present a balanced ration.
• It must withstand heat, and not deteriorate during storage.
• No cooking must be needed.
• Flavour must be maintained, e.g. there must be no rancid change in fat.
• Sterilisation must kill all eggs of moths or weevils.
• It must be in a container easy to open but strong enough to withstand air-dropping.
• Packs must be water-proof.
• Design must meet the current size and shape, and certain items can only be made by
machinery.