WWII Australia Operation Ration - The first 24 hour rat pack

Discussions about rations from other countries - IMPs, EPAs, RCIRs, etc.
Post Reply
User avatar
specopsaust
Posts: 17
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 4:04 am

WWII Australia Operation Ration - The first 24 hour rat pack

Post by specopsaust » Sat Jan 16, 2010 11:56 pm

Hi guys,

First post. Thought I'd share some info I have gathered about the Australian WWII Operation Ration. This was probably the first 24 hour individual combat ration pack designed and used by Australian Forces. It was originally conceived as an emergency flying ration, but was later on general issue to Aus forces where it replaced the various Composite rations. What is interesting about the Operation Ration is that it was contained within a tin. The tin in turn contained three individual meals packed in waxed cardboard boxes. See components list and usage instructions below.

From http://www.specialoperationsaustralia.com ...

AMF OPERATION RATION

Originally designed as an emergency flying ration, the AMF Operation Ration was on general issue to S.O., Intelligence and regular troops. The ration tin was fully sealed not only to keep the contents as fresh as possible for as long as possible, but also to allow the tins to be buried or otherwise cached - an important consideration for S.O. use. Within the SRD the AMF Operation Ration was known as the "02 Ration".

Resupply drops almost always included a stock of US rubberised jungle food bags to be used when the main tin was opened.

Image

Advantages and Disadvantages of the "02 Ration" from an SRD training manual:

Advantages -
Waterproof
Can be buried
Keep indefinitely
Nutritionally Balanced
Requires no water except for drinking
Requires no cooking, or cooking utensils

Disadvantages -
Not economical in either total weight or total bulk.

The tin contained three separate meals making it essentially a 24 hour combat ration. It was opened using a metal turnkey soldered to the top of the tin in a similar manner to AMF-issue corned beef tins or modern leg ham tins.

The front of the tin was printed with a "comic book" style instruction for opening the tin. This was done in order to allow the tin to be opened by indigenous guerrillas and others who may have never seen a turnkey can opening system.

The back of the tin was printed with the following statement:

This Ration is intended for use in circumstances where normal rations cannot be supplied.

This tin contains three complete meals separately wrapped in waterproof cartons. When one meal has been consumed, the remaining two meals can be carried on the person and the Tin discarded.

The contents form a completely balanced ration with ample protective (Vitamin) cover.

The complete ration in the tin will keep indefinitely, and can be submerged or buried.

Contents of Operation Ration Menu:

The contents of the ration are packed in three portions or meals, each in a sealed bituminous paper carton which has been finally waterproofed by dipping into molten wax. The waxen meal carton is only intended to give temporary protection from moisture and insect pests to the contents, consequently the outer container should not be opened unless the contents can be consumed within the following 24 hours.

The contents of the meal cartons were originally as follows:

Meal 1 -

Carrot biscuits 3 oz pkt
Fruit & nut 3 3/8 oz block
Meat & vegetable stew 4 oz tin
Peanut butter 1 1/2 oz tin
Barley sugar rolls (4) 1 oz
Caramel bar 1/2 oz
Skim milk powder 1/4 oz pkt
Sugar 2 tablets
Tea 4 tablet
Salt 2 tablets

Meal 2 -

Wholemeal biscuits 2 1/4 oz pkt
Wheat lunch 3 oz block
Meat & vegetable hash 4 oz tin
Cheese 1 1/4 oz tin
Barley sugar rolls (4) 1 oz
Lime tablets 1/2 oz pkt
Skim milk powder 1/4 oz pkt
Sugar 2 tablets
Tea 4 tablets
Salt 2 tablets

Meal 3 -

Wholemeal biscuits 2 1/4 oz pkt
Chocolate 3 oz block
Meat & beans OR
Corned beef hash 4 oz tin
Blackcurrant spread 1 7/8 oz tin
Barley sugar rolls (4) 1 oz
Caramel bar 1/2 oz
Skim milk powder 1/4 oz pkt
Sugar 2 tablets
Tea 4 tablets
Salt 2 tablets

One pocket tin opener with instructions is included in the outer container.

Amendments to these contents were listed on 9 September 1944 in a memo sent out by the AMF Quartermaster-General:

The following variations have now taken place in this original packing:

a) Meat: Since June 44 Operation Rations has been packed with Hampe in Meal 1, Meatreat or Corned Beef Loaf in Meal 2, all three packs being "solid meats", and M&V Stew or M&V Hash or Meat & Beans or Corned Beef Hash in Meal 3.

b) Fruit & Nut: During April 44 two types of Fruit & Cereal block replaced the Fruit & Nut block. These blocks, one of which is predominately dried vine fruits and the other mainly dried apricot.

Summary: Evaluation of this ration, conducted in New Guinea in mid 1945 by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research reported: "Battalion and company commanders whose units had recently used this ration described it as invaluable for forward troops and stated that, while at present its use is restricted to 4-day or longer patrols, it would be very useful for other types of work if larger supplies were made available. It is recommended that undue economy in the use of the Operation Ration should be avoided. A more rapid turnover of present stocks is desirable to avoid deterioration in some components. Those who had used the ration agreed that it provided more than the minium needs for one man-day, but opinions differed as to whether the margin was excessive. The majority view is against any reduction in the ration. A few complaints were heard that the ration was too sweet, but this opinion was not generally supported by observers with recent experience of the ration. Alternating the Operation Ration with the normal field ration was suggested by those who thought it too sweet.

Image
Wartime photo showing AMF Operation Ration tin contents

User avatar
Bypah
Posts: 1641
Joined: Mon May 26, 2008 8:44 pm
Location: Somewhere in the Peach State of Ga.

Re: WWII Australia Operation Ration - The first 24 hour rat pack

Post by Bypah » Sun Jan 17, 2010 2:15 am

Nice...Welcome to the forums!!!!
"Live long and prosper..."

Post Reply