FOOD PACKET, INDIVIDUAL, ASSAULT 1950

[biscuits brown]

Mreheater72s brilliant thread on the German living history museum and a couple of his photos gave me this idea.

Just carrying on the theme of the ancestry of current rations, this I would say is the direct descendent of the current MRE concept, as it seems to be the closest in size of sub - ration (the meal) and approximate colorific intake. Each FPIA had a minimum 900 cals. Even the weight of the meal at 1.5lbs is similar to the MRE Obviously the packaging, steel as opposed to composite retort material is completely different.

It is the 1948-49 FOOD PACKET, INDIVIDUAL, ASSAULT.

From the 1950 Natick rations catalogue

From the 1950 Natick rations catalogue

Photo courtesy of mreheater72 :))

Photo courtesy of mreheater72 :))

I think this is closer to the MRE than the C or MCI series.
its funny but it seems that Natick were not exploring the potential of the "Meal unit" and were still hung up about complete rations. From the contemporary description above, it seems they were very cautious about its duration of use. However looking at its components, it has all the elements of the modern MRE - Entree, crackets, dessert type item and an acccessory pack. With a little tinkering of the items the US army could have had a wide ranging MRE type unit in the 50s

It seems the 24 hr ration type was still in favour at Natick at the time though.

I know the MCI was a meal based unit, but it was 10 years later, and 2 times heavier.
I reackon this is closer to the MRE.

[Treesuit]

BB,

Wow, excellent time to open this thread since we saw for the first time a FPIA in MREHeater_72's thread at the museum. Reading your hypothesis on the FPIA and whether the US Army had something close to a MRE, I agree. The contents are similar but yet meager in my opinion. I say this because 900 calories isn't that much to go on, especially if you packing a rucksack, rifle and minimal fighting load. Hell, a person might need one in the morning, then a mid meal ration, then lunch, etc.

Judging from the pictures from the 1950 NATICK catalog, it looks like you got a crackers, 1 cookie, and a A-packet. Now am I missing something?

[sodjer]

i did a google search last week using the word compo rations, and found an article about the first sucsessful everest expidition,they used a mix of british composite rations ,and at the final stage, assault rations(if i knew more about computers iwould add a link

[biscuits brown]

BB,

I say this because 900 calories isn't that much to go on, especially if you packing a rucksack, rifle and minimal fighting load. Hell, a person might need one in the morning, then a mid meal ration, then lunch, etc.

Judging from the pictures from the 1950 NATICK catalog, it looks like you got a crackers, 1 cookie, and a A-packet. Now am I missing something?

There was also a canned entree in the meal, I think there was 8 types.

Re the cal count, I hear you Ts, but the thing to bear in mind is that even as the FPIA was presented there, it has 900 cals MINIMUM. Perhaps more like 1000 -1200 cals in some of the menus.
The point is, with a little tinkering of ingredients like additional chocolate and high energy crackers kraft paper wrapped and enclosed in the accessory pack, and maybe a 2oz can of jam or spread this Meal unit could probably have easily equalled the average contemporary MRE cal content, without adding to its weight much more than a few ounces. I think 3600+ cals could have been achieved with the FPIA format as it was, on a basis of 3 FPIAs as daily issue.

Sodjer Ive seen that too, by a Major Ian Smith, 1953. Trouble is the source didnt have pics, and thats what I was looking for at the time. Ive got 14 in 1 menu info now. Thanks for mentioning it mate

[mreheater72]

Hi,

very interesting thread of that great vintage FOOD PACKET, INDIVIDUAL, ASSAULT !! Here are a couple of pics I saved the last years from internet auctions (source of all shown pictures: ebay.com)































































So long mreheater72

[biscuits brown]

Brilliant!

Thanks as always Hagen!

[Treesuit]

Hagen,

Many thanks for the awesome FPIA photos.

BB,
I was wondering about this today, you mentioned that the Army could have had a wide ranging MRE style FPIA as early as the 1950's. Mind you thermostabilization/retort wasn't even in the begining stages until the mid 1960's. So how could have this been an MRE style when you have the cans invloved? Are you refering to the fact that if you put a smaller type can(s) and a A-packet in there that would what your trying to describe?

[biscuits brown]

Ts it would just maybe have been a smaller more compact ration, thats all i meant. remember the C5 of the time weighed over 6 lbs! That was my point really. And also if you look at Hagens pics, its very MRE like in content amount.

It was just an idea I patched out, its an almost unknown ration and it looks cools, very compact.

In the Natick 1983 "mini history of ration types" suppliment it says this ration was very well recieved in Korea btw, but it was being over used, just like the earlier K was, and I assume for the same reasons. Ease of distribution by weight, and just sloppiness on the part of COs of units, not paying enough attention to setting up proper B ration facilities.
Same as WW2 in Europe.

[Treesuit]

BB,

You mentioned it was well recieved in Korea but being over used. When did they cease production?

[biscuits brown]

Well Hagens got an example box dated 1953, and the 1960 Natick list doesnt mention it anymore, so Id say it went mid 50s by the looks of things.