Correct Rations

[Transport]

Ahoy!

With the KW just 5 short years after the end of WW2 and stocks of supplies on hand, is there a preference of what was used for rations in the field? C's or K's?

My best guess is either and possibly a mixture of both being issued randomly.

Any thoughts? Comments? Documentation?

Thanks in advance
Transport out

[redjoshman]

From what I have read the common ration mentioned, at least in USMC accounts, from the post war/korean war period seems to be the C-Ration. From what I have read, also in 1948 the K-Ration was declared obsolete and remaining stocks were sold off as surplus in the Civilian Market.

Also we in the Korean probably would be dealing with only a few C-1 rations, we would be mostly dealing in C-2(1948-1951) and C-3(1951-1953) rations.

-Josh

[Transport]

Ahoy!

Thanks Josh!

Chuck

[redjoshman]

I just want to restate things in case I was unclear K-Rations, unless their is evidence to the contrary, are a no-go for Korea. Especially in the light they were declared obsolete and sold off ASAP in 1948, meaning that would have been nearly non-existent in the supply system.

C-1s would be perfect for early war with more and more C-2s thrown in as the war goes on and with the first C-3s showing up in late 1952/early 1953. C-4s are like P53 Utilities, Mitchell Shelter halves, and the P53 Insignia, they were developed just a little to late for Korea.

-Josh

[m1steelpot]

Since this is about Rations, I found a picture that shows a ROK soldier eating japanese made ration(s) sent to the ROK forces. farm4.static.flickr.com/3261/2919544597_5ab4f09bbd_b.jpg

[ringneck]

I agree with Josh that K's were rare to non existant in Korea as GI rations---however they were still in evidence in the system long after Korea.

When my Dad was in basic at Knox(1958) he saw storehouses full of them. I've talked to people who were militarty dependents in the 50's and 60's who were issued K's by the Army as bug-out rations in-case the Russians invaded W. Germany. My personal set of K-Rats were from a Civil Defense stockpile that had other military goods that had been donated by the Army in 1964.

So they were around, I just don't think GI's were eating them. What I wonder is if PW's or refugees may have gotten them?

BradLaGrange

[pop401k]

IIRC, K-rations came in a flat box like Cracker Jacks, and C-rations came in a"cube" type box...correct?

[redjoshman]

Good info on Post World War II C-Rations:
www.olive-drab.com/od_rations_c2.php

-Josh