AWM Collection Record: REL32576.002
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ID Number: | REL32576.002 |
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| Title: | Emergency Flying ration pack Type 0.2 : Operation ration tin | ||
| Maker: | Union Canco | ||
| Object type: | Personal Equipment | ||
| Place made: | Australia | ||
| Date made: | March 1945 | ||
| Physical description: | Aluminium; Foodstuffs; Paint; Rectangular, green painted ration tin outer with crimped lid and base, containing three separate ration meals. A metal turnkey, similar to those found on sardine tins, is tack-welded to the lid and is designed to be removed and used with the pre-scored opening band and tab. Below the legend "TURN KEY < TO OPEN CAN" is an illustration depicting the opening method. Under this is "A.M.F. / OPERATION / RATION / 02. / D^D". The reverse is 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." The manufacturer's name is printed under this; while the base is impressed with the date of manufacture "3 45". There are some very minor rubbing and handling marks on the tin. Contents of Operation Ration 0.2 - details issued in GRO Q444 of 1942 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 oz block Meat & vegetable stew 4 oz tin Peanut butter 1 ' oz tin Barley sugar rolls (4) 1 oz Caramel bar ' oz Skim milk powder u oz pkt Sugar 2 tablets Tea 4 tablet Salt 2 tablets Meal 2 - Wholemeal biscuits 2 u oz pkt Wheat lunch 3 oz block Meat & vegetable hash 4 oz tin Cheese 1 u oz tin Barley sugar rolls (4) 1 oz Lime tablets ' oz pkt Skim milk powder u oz pkt Sugar 2 tablets Tea 4 tablets Salt 2 tablets Meal 3 - Wholemeal biscuits 2 u oz pkt Chocolate 3 oz block Meat & beans OR Corned beef hash 4 oz tin Blackcurrant spread 1 x oz tin Barley sugar rolls (4) 1 oz Caramel bar ' oz Skim milk powder u 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 02 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 apricots, are more friable and; ' lemon, orange, peppermint and raspberry' are packed. f) Lime Tablets: In future these will have a printed label with the words 'Fruit Tablets - fortified with Vitamin C'. The tablets are now fortified with 75 mgs of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) instead of 50 mgs. g) Wooden spoon: A small wooden spoon, similar to those supplied with ice cream buckets, is now packed in each meal carton. |
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| Summary: | Included with RAAF Emergency Flying Ration pack, item S1/2 E27/8. Evaluation of this ration, conducted in New Guinea in mid 1945 by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) reported (p 102): "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 02 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 02 ration with the normal field ration was suggested by those who thought it too sweet." | ||
| Copyright: | Copyright not applicable | ||
| Related conflict: | Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Last-Modified: Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:47:28 GMT
