Jungle ration
The Jungle Ration (or "J-Ration") was a dry, lightweight United States military ration developed by the U.S. Army during World War II for soldiers on extended missions in tropical regions.
Origins, development, and use
Prior to World War II, during field exercises in Panama and other jungle regions, it was determined that standard heavy canned or 'wet' rations were unsuited to soldiers on foot carrying out extended missions in jungle or tropical environments with an abundance of water sources. Testing in Panama by units of the
The Jungle ration was originally based on foods carried by American civilians, such as geologists and engineers, prior to World War II.
The Jungle ration was designed to be compact and to feed four men in one day. A can opener, matches, toilet paper, and cigarettes were packed in each 10-ration waterproof box.[2] In the original issue of the Jungle ration, all food components were dried or dehydrated and could be decanted from their tins or packages into individually carried lightweight waterproof bags. This practice greatly decreased the total weight, yet the foods would still keep for several weeks in jungle heat and humidity.[3] In general, it was favorably accepted by soldiers during experiments with the testing platoons in Panama. Among Australian forces, who were briefly issued the ration in New Guinea, the Jungle ration became known as "the Christmas package" for its varied components, which were appreciated after a steady diet of hardtack and tins of corned beef.[2]
Because of its expense and specialized nature, the Jungle ration, like the
During its short existence, the Jungle ration was repeatedly altered with heavier, less expensive canned components by the SRL at the direction of Quartermaster Corps staff, defeating the purpose of a lightweight dehydrated ration. Replacement of the dried beef component with processed, tinned pork or beef in 1942, followed by elimination of the dried fruit component, caused a predictable reduction in the popularity of the Jungle ration.
Menu contents
The jungle ration was repeatedly altered during its existence, as Quartermaster Corps officers substituted less expensive or heavier canned components (such as evaporated milk).[10] Some known components include:
- Biscuits (Hardtack)
- Salted beef (1st issue) – A U.S. version of traditional Central and South American carne seca, using dried high-quality cuts of beef, lightly salted and spiced; this component was one of the first to be eliminated in favor of cheaper, heavier canned meats
- Canned meat (2nd issue) – tinned beef/pork or pork loaf; some sources[8] indicate pork luncheon meat (Spam) was also a rotating component
- Grapenuts or other precooked dry cereal)
- Fruit bars
- Chewing gum
- Hard candy
- Dried apricots
- Dried peaches
- Lemon powder
- Cocoa powder(usually combined with powdered milk and sugar to make a chocolate drink)
- Roasted salted peanuts
- Whole powdered milk
- Raisins
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Instant coffee
- White sugar
- Cigarettes
- Toilet paper
See also
- LRRP ration(A dehydrated 1960s ration)
- Mountain ration
- K-ration
- B-Ration
- C ration
- 5-in-1 ration
Notes
- ^ a b Kearny, Cresson H. (Maj), Jungle Snafus...And Remedies, Oregon Institute (1996), p. 288
- ^ a b c d Kearny, Cresson H. (Maj), Jungle Snafus...And Remedies, Oregon Institute (1996), p. 291
- ^ Kearny, Cresson H. (Maj), Jungle Snafus...And Remedies, Oregon Institute (1996), pp. 289–291
- ^ Kearny, Cresson H. (Maj), Jungle Snafus...And Remedies, Oregon Institute (1996), pp. 291, 391
- ^ a b Kearny, Cresson H. (Maj), Jungle Snafus...And Remedies, Oregon Institute (1996), p. 391
- ^ Koehler, Franz A., Special Rations for the Armed Forces: Army Operational Rations - Historical Background, QMC Historical Studies, Historical Branch, Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington, D.C. (1958)
- ^ Koehler, Franz A., Special Rations for the Armed Forces: Army Operational Rations – Historical Background, QMC Historical Studies, Historical Branch, Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington, D.C. (1958): The Quartermaster General's Historical Report indignantly notes: "Specifications were hurriedly produced without a clear-cut idea of what a ration assembled especially for jungle troops should consist [of]...the Subsistence Laboratory participated in the development only to the extent of determining packaging and packing requirements. [SRL staff] warned that the reasons for developing the ration had not been made clear and indicated that the tactical situation presented was one for which the K ration had been designed. Despite the warranted lack of Laboratory enthusiasm, more than 9,600,000 rations were bought in 1942 and 425,000 more early in 1943."
- ^ ISBN 978-1855329959, pp. 20–21
- ^ Kearny, Cresson H. (Maj), Jungle Snafus...And Remedies, Oregon Institute (1996), pp. 291–294
- ^ Kearny, Cresson H. (Maj), Jungle Snafus...And Remedies, Oregon Institute (1996), pp. 288–291