C-ration
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In Quartermaster Corps terms, the C-Ration is an individual pre-cooked or prepared ration to be issued when fresh food (A-Ration) or canned unprepared food (B-Ration) prepared in mess halls or field kitchens are impractical or not available and when a survival ration (D-ration) is insufficient.
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[edit] "Iron Ration" (1907-1922)
The first attempt to make an individual ration for issue to soldiers in the field was the "iron ration", first introduced in 1907. It consisted of three 3-ounce cakes (made from a concoction of beef boullion powder and parched and cooked wheat), three 1-ounce bars of sweetened chocolate, and packets of salt and pepper that was issued in a sealed tin packet that weighed one pound. It was designed for emergency use when the troops were unable to be supplied with food. It was later discontinued by the adoption of the "Reserve Ration" but its findings went into the development of the emergency D-ration.
[edit] "Reserve Ration" (1917-1937)
This was a ration issued during the latter part of World War I to feed troops who were away from a garrison or field kitchen. It originally consisted of one pound of meat (usually canned Corned Beef), two 8-ounce cans of hard bread or hardtack biscuits, a packet of 1.16 ounces of pre-ground coffee, a packet of 2.4 ounces of granulated sugar, and a packet of 0.16 ounces of salt. There was also a separate "tobacco ration" of 0.4 ounces of tobacco and 10 cigarette rolling papers, later replaced by brand-name machine-rolled cigarettes.
After the war, there were attempts to improve the ration based on input from the field. In 1922, the ration was reorganized to consist of 1 pound of meat (usually beef jerky), 3 ounces of canned Corned Beef or chocolate, 14 ounces of hard bread or hardtack biscuits, coffee and sugar. In 1925, the meat ration was replaced with canned Pork & Beans. In 1936, there was an attempt at variety by having an "A"-menu of Corned Beef and a "B"-menu of Pork & Beans. This was cancelled after it was superseded by the later Field Ration, Type C.
[edit] Field Ration, Type C (1938-1945)
The C-Ration, introduced in 1938, was intended to replace the "Reserve Ration" and supplement the new D-ration. Each daily ration consisted of six 12 oz. cans (three M-Units and three B-units) and an accessory pack. A meal consisted of one M-Unit and one B-Unit.
The M-unit contained a canned entrée originally made of stew meat (a mixture of beef and pork) and initially came in three varieties Meat Hash, Meat Stew with Vegetables (carrots and potatoes), and Meat Stew with Beans. Later entrees introduced in 1944 incorporated beef, pork, ham, and chicken or turkey.
The B-unit (bread and dessert portion) contained a packet of cheese spread or jam, 4 hardtack crackers, and loose candy or a dessert.
The accessory pack contained a packet of beverage mix (instant coffee; lemon drink; or boullion soup powder), salt and sugar tablets, Halazone water purification tablets, a flat wooden spoon, a piece of candy-coated chewing gum, 3 "short" sample 3-packs or one "long" sample 9-pack of commercial-grade cigarettes and a book of 20 cardboard moisture-resistant matches, a P-38 can opener, and several sheets of toilet paper.
The P-38 can openers were generally worn on the GI's "dog tag" chain to facilitate opening the next meal's cans.
[edit] Field Ration, Type E (1946-1948)
After World War II there was an attempt to combine the best features of the C-ration and the K-ration into a new item called the E-ration. The E-ration was found to be unappetizing and was so unpopular that it was dropped from the inventory.
[edit] C-Ration, Revised (1948-1958)
After the failure of the E-Ration, there were several improvements made on the basic C-ration. Most involved ration variety and content, different sizes and shapes of cans, and improverments in packaging. The C-ration series was eventually phased out and replaced by the Meal, Combat, Individual ration in 1958.
[edit] Ration, Individual, Combat, Type C, Version 2 (1948)
The C-2 ration was described in TB-QM-53, Department of the Army, dated March, 1948, as an individual ration which consisted of packaged pre-cooked foods which could be eaten hot or cold. It replaced the World War II C ration, and later, the E ration. It could be carried and prepared by the individual soldier. The ration was designed for feeding combat troops from a few days to an extreme of three weeks. Due to the required individual portability of this ration, maximum nourishment had to be provided in the smallest physical unit. The components of this ration were prepared in five different menus.
Each menu included an accessory packet which consisted of essential toilet articles, tobacco, and confections.
[edit] Ration, Individual, Combat, Type C, Version 3 (?)
The C-3 was composed of five full menus of a greater variety, and in addition to the new and improved “B “(bread) and “M” (meat) units, each menu contained an accessory packet, fruit, and cigarettes. The ration weighed 5 lbs., 8½ oz., and was packed in 8 small cans.
- Three “M” (meat) components, which offered 10 different varieties of meat entrees.
- Three “B” (bread) components consisting of:
- a unit of pre-mixed cereal.
- a unit of 5 crackers & jam and a cocoa disc.
- another unit of 5 crackers & jam, soluble coffee and sugar.
- One 12-ounce can of fruit.
- The accessory packet: (Gum, toilet paper, a P-38 can opener, granulated salt, and a flat wooden spoon).
- The cigarette packet: (one 9-pack of cigarettes and a book of matches).
Field cooking equipment was not required for the preparation of this ration. The C-3 ration was more adequate than the original C ration in respect to its nutritional value.
[edit] Ration, Individual, Combat, Type C, Version 4 (1954-1958)
The C-4 ration was developed as a modification of the C-3 ration. It included the issue of two 6-ounce cans of fruit for 2 meals to replace the one 12-ounce can issued for one meal in the C-3 ration.
[edit] Sample C-4 Ration Contents
A sample C-4 ration (stamped March 1954) contained:
- 1 Instruction sheet
- 2 Cheese bars (1.5 net ounces)
- 2 "Cereal Class 5" bars (1.5 net ounces)
- 3 Type XII Style 1 Enriched chocolate bar (1 ounce)
- 1 "Jelly Bar" (2 ounces)
- 2 "Fruit Cake Bars" (2 ounces)
- 3 sticks Topps peppermint chewing gum
- 3 Domino sugar packets
- 2 Nestea "soluble tea product"
- 1 Pure soluble sugar
- 1 "Soluble cream product"
- 1 bottle Water Purification Tablets, Individual, Iodine
- 1 plastic bag
