Field rations in Indochina

[stalder]

Hello

I have many questions regarding the field rations used in Indochina.

I have often read that US K and C rations were issued again and again. This even in 1954! Does anyone know more about this?

Apparently the French also started to make their own rations to supply Vietnamese and Muslim soldiers. But also because the US and English rations were not so popular in terms of taste

These were apparently available as rations packed in steel sheet or in cardboard.
Does anyone know the sizes of the packaging?
I would like to try to reproduce the

Thanks for help

ibb.co/vvNjXwM

[Kenneth]

Rations are probably the most important thing in a soldier's life, since, after all, one eats three times a day, more when possible. But the subject doesn't get a lot of coverage in books. In this case, I've only seen one illustrated reference to a French soldier's ration.

On page 251 of Raymond Guyader's book "La Legion Etrangere en Algerie 1954-1962, there is illustrated the contents of a TTA Model 1950 musette. Included is a box identified only as a box of combat rations. No markings are visible but it is just the right size (or maybe a little larger) to be an individual US Army K-Ration. I refer you to Wikipedia's page on the K-ration for further information. The K-ration was apparently produced through the end of the war and after it was declared obsolete, the surplus was sent overseas. I didn't see any specific reference to rations in his book on the Legion in Indochina.

I have seen nothing that suggested the French had anything similar before WWII. The K-ration was only introduced in 1942. There were a surprising number of different rations developed during the war, although most were of a more specialized nature, although the K-ration was supposed to be special, too, sort of. The Germans developed some packaged rations during the war, copying the American rations in a way but I don't think anyone else did. I never saw anything but C-rations during my time in the army.

[topbreak]

You might find some useful information here

www.mreinfo.com/

Bon Appetit

[stalder]

Thanks for the link, I will browse it.

Well, I have already found some pictures and also managed to collect explanations from the books.

What I am missing above all are the exact sizes of the rations.

[Kenneth]

I can't help you on that point but the K-ration was originally for paratroopers and it was supposed to be of a size to allow it to be carried in the pocket of a field jacket or HBT fatigue jacket. They look like they would be just the right size to fit in the pockets of a French parachutist's jacket, too. I don't think they'll fit in the breast pockets of a M47 combat jacket but the side pocket should take one--if they could get one.

Regarding rations for Vietnamese and Muslims, it's quite possible they produced special field rations. The British did and today, the British have a variety of special rations for those who don't eat blood pudding and kidney pie. By the time the war was well under way in Indochina, specially produced field rations were still a relatively new thing, unless you count hard bread and canned beef.

[stalder]

Nov 5, 2021 18:28:31 GMT -5 Kenneth said:

I can't help you on that point but the K-ration was originally for paratroopers and it was supposed to be of a size to allow it to be carried in the pocket of a field jacket or HBT fatigue jacket. They look like they would be just the right size to fit in the pockets of a French parachutist's jacket, too. I don't think they'll fit in the breast pockets of a M47 combat jacket but the side pocket should take one--if they could get one.

Regarding rations for Vietnamese and Muslims, it's quite possible they produced special field rations. The British did and today, the British have a variety of special rations for those who don't eat blood pudding and kidney pie. By the time the war was well under way in Indochina, specially produced field rations were still a relatively new thing, unless you count hard bread and canned beef.

Very interesting information. Thanks



By the way, in the book PARAS francais INDOCHINE is a very nice illustration of a French (tropical) ration at the page 200 and 201.

[topbreak]

French CEFEO Rations

Another Google find.

Apparently US, British, and even wartime German rations were issued in Indochina.

Not sure if this is a genuine vendor, but the information is interesting.

Vintage Ration Depot 

[craigtx]

Jan 29, 2022 9:53:14 GMT -5 topbreak said:

French CEFEO Rations

Another Google find.

Apparently US, British, and even wartime German rations were issued in Indochina.

Not sure if this is a genuine vendor, but the information is interesting.

Vintage Ration Depot 

This looks like it might be someone who has taken over the old Reporations business. I did business with Norm a coupla three years ago, or so. At that time he had a wide variety of rations available, including French WWI. This looks to be way slimmed down. It'll be interesting to see how they progress.

I've recently used Hogan Quartermaster Depot for K rations (www.angelfire.com/nc/stug/) and I'm quite impressed with their offerings for K rats. I haven't tried their Brit offerings yet.

Craig

[stalder]

The French CEFEO Rations
I wrote to them a long time ago.
As already mentioned above, unfortunately the e-mail is no longer active.

Thanks for the other suggestions.

[stalder]

Messieurs



I found this page today.

It is about the British 24 hours rations.

The soldiers in Indochina also often got these rations, the page seems interesting to me.

Also the links below, even if not all work anymore.



www.6thairbornearmouredreconnaissanceregiment.com/rations-and-cooking.html

[topbreak]

Good find. Interesting to note that canned goods haven't really changed much in the last 60+ years. Some images of period labels, a good printer, and some appropriately sized cans and, voila, there you go. In fact, I think I've seen canned meat like product that still have the twist key.

That does raise a question. Was SPAM handed out to CEFEO troops? I know that it was widely distributed, and never rationed, during WWII. Was it distributed in the same way with post war aid?

[stalder]

The cigarettes are still available.
Even if in the meantime the tobacco blend has changed.
The ones in the blue pack are without filters. They have been manufactured since 1910.
The ones in the yellow pack are with filter. They were introduced to the market in 1956. So for Indochina representation too late.

[topbreak]

Interesting find. Repacked in reproduction packaging, or just remove the "Smoke these and you are going to DIE!" label and you've got something.

Were American cigarettes common or even available in Indochina during the period? There are a number of reproduction packages available for WWII American cigarettes, thanks to WWII reenacting.

[stalder]

Yes, this is documented. Certainly, at least already through the rations that were obtained from the USA and GB.

I am sure that American and British cigarettes, at least in the major cities, were also available for purchase. If not in the official stores, then certainly on the black market.

But I can imagine that they may have cost a little more than French?

[stalder]

In Europe, Atlas is very well known for paper work.
Unfortunately, he does not have so much on offer at the moment but he has French cigerette packs.
WW2 French Tobacco – Atlas Repro Paperwork (atlas-repropaperwork.com)

I am not sure if the two works were also seen in Vietnam.
But when I read in the books what they dropped as rations with date 1945 and before over Dien Bien Phu, then I think it would be quite possible.

He also has US or British paper works.
WW2 US Tobacco – Atlas Repro Paperwork (atlas-repropaperwork.com)

WW2 British Tobacco – Atlas Repro Paperwork (atlas-repropaperwork.com)

WW2 Canadian Tobacco – Atlas Repro Paperwork (atlas-repropaperwork.com)

[stalder]

Feb 6, 2022 3:33:39 GMT -5 stalder said:

In Europe, Atlas is very well known for paper work.
Unfortunately, he does not have so much on offer at the moment but he has French cigerette packs.
WW2 French Tobacco – Atlas Repro Paperwork (atlas-repropaperwork.com)
I am not sure if the two works were also seen in Vietnam.
But when I read in the books what they dropped as rations with date 1945 and before over Dien Bien Phu, then I think it would be quite possible.

He also has US or British paper works.
WW2 US Tobacco – Atlas Repro Paperwork (atlas-repropaperwork.com)

WW2 British Tobacco – Atlas Repro Paperwork (atlas-repropaperwork.com)

WW2 Canadian Tobacco – Atlas Repro Paperwork (atlas-repropaperwork.com)

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