Ration question

Mark Burr · #1 26-08-05, 06:16

Here's a ration question... I see the OD "Spam" key type cans containing Emergency Rations here and there and am wondering if they are WW2 vintage or Korean War? One side is in English and the other in French. Sometimes they are marked MRT..
Any ideas?

Krat

#2 01-09-05, 03:20

Mark I believe the rations you speak of are post Korean War era. MRT means Meals Ready to Eat. If I recall rightly the only rations that Canada produced during WWII and Korea were for use in the Arctic. In Korea while I was there we used a combination of US and British rations.

Ponysoldier · #3 01-09-05, 06:00

Greetings
This sounds like the old K-ration which were used in
WWll korea and some time past that.This was replaced
By the C-Ration which was used until about 1979,at which
time it was replaced by the MRE which is some of the foulest
stuff Ive ever had to eat.
Patrick

Jon Skagfeld · #4 01-09-05, 06:28

Yeah...MRE=Meals Rejected by Everyone.

Lima beans, anyone?

Ponysoldier · #5 01-09-05, 06:45

Lima's would be hard to deal with,but certainly better
than the MRE. Just something about a frezze dried
hambuger patty even soaked in hot water nope
tried one that was enough for me
Patrick

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #6 01-09-05, 11:30

Quote:

Originally posted by Jon Skagfeld
Yeah...MRE=Meals Rejected by Everyone.

Mainly Rat Entrails (I read that in a book somewhere)....

Patrick, weren't the original MREs introduced in Viet Nam for use by LRRPs etc? I've read a number of books by and about Rangers and they mention those things as being an essential when humping the boonies because of space and weight savings.

Ponysoldier · #7 02-09-05, 04:19

Geoff

Yes the mre was in use in vietnam lrrp's Seal teams
and Special forces used the them for the weight saving.
Sadly most everyone else got the C Rat's
Patrick

#8 02-09-05, 06:43

Quote:

Originally posted by Jon Skagfeld
Lima beans, anyone?

HEY ... I resent that!!!! Herebywith, whatever, Master Jon Skag-man ... you are cordially invited to a taste test of lima beans cooked by Little Miss Ma Yappy, herself ... please do NOT turn up your nose, and close your lips, to at LEAST the taste test of this .....

Next time we get to Snowen Sound, I shall bring dried baby lima beans and bacon ... and cook some up for you and Betty to try ... you can barf if you like AFTER you have tasted them.

Many a lima-bean hater has tasted this and been a convert ... to these particular type lima beans done MY way ... please allow this experience .... (they have to be DRIED BABY lima beans , not the big DRIED or fresh green yukky ones

)

All I will need is for you to provide the stovetop burner, pepper (and salt to taste though I don't add salt) and perhaps a very litle dollop of butter, and about an hour and a half simmering time .....

Ma

Invites you!

#9 02-09-05, 08:03

Quote:

Originally posted by Jon Skagfeld
Yeah...MRE=Meals Rejected by Everyone.

Allegedly, infantry from the N. American continent are quite keen to be exchanged on exercise with the UK military, simply that we have the excellent boiling vessel (BV) fitted in front-line fighting vehicles and so Meals Rarely Edible when heated can, they say, become Meals Regularly Eaten.

Not only does the BV, unchanged from the 50's to Challenger 2, provide hot meals, the outer container contains enough water for a nice cup of tea afterwards as we can attest since the entourage has many a mug of Stalwart provided BV tea.

If in doubt, brew-up.

Ponysoldier · #10 02-09-05, 08:42

Greetings
With the lima beans Im not worryin about the taste
rather and how say this errrrrrrrr the after effects.
I would trade an mre for just about anything.
Picture popping a dryed peach in your mouth and
having every drop of moisture suck out of your mouth,
and not sweet mind you sour. Nope give me good ole
fashioned beans and weinies any day.
Patrick

lanceh99 · #11 05-09-05, 03:34

Mark,
Is this one of the rations in question?
I believe it is a post war emergency ration, although I have seen them peddled as wartime.
I have no idea as to the contents and dare not open it unless I can find one to replace it.

lanceh99 · #12 05-09-05, 03:36

P.S. mine is marked PRT on the bottom

Mark Burr · #13 05-09-05, 05:36

Lance,
YES. Thats the ration in question....

About three years ago I purchased a complete unopened WW2 Canadian Mess Tin Ration from the daughter of a Canadian vet... with the group was two of these emergency rations.. Both were purchased for about $25 U.S.
I'm just trying to nail down the real issues dates for this emergency ration.
If anyone knows for sure please let us know