Ration Packs from WW2

Ration Packs from WW2 (reproductions)

Although reproductions these are as close as is currently possible to the original packs. They are reproduced here for their interest sake, not as any recommendation. I have no commercial interest in the matter, nor do I necessarily agree with some of the "blurb".

Australian WW2 Early War Ration Set A

This is another lot of Reproduction WW2 Rations, this time it is a set of Rations as used by Australians, Brits, New Zealanders, South Africans and, given half a chance, Germans and Italians during the North African campaigns, and most any front line between 1940-1943.

These reproductions were made up to supplement rations to our group of British WW2 Burma Campaign reenactors, as the Brits in Burma and elsewhere would utilize a virtual smorgasboard of mixed rations, ranging from locally procured food stuffs, over standard rations, such as 24 hour meal and Compo Rations to exotic items, such as US and Australian ration packs.

These would be perfect for most allied or axis reenactors running about in North Africa, Crete or the Balkans.

You get the following:

1 Tin of Corned Beef (better known as 'Bully Beef' to friend and foe alike). Comes in the tan-and-green early war Australian military labeled tin. Of course, this is the proper key-turn variety tin with the silver-coloured ends as made in Argentina for the Australian Armed forces to this day. Ready to "pour" from the tin when the temperatures reach 110 degrees and up!

2 Packs of Arnott's Plain Biscuits (These are military biscuits and not fancies)--Hard on the teeth but oh-so-filling! Sealed inside cello bags, inside the buff and properly labeled early war wrapper reminiscent of WW1 ANZAC fame. (3 ounces each)

1 Tin of Tuna in the proper buff-labeled "Diamond Brand" tin as seen in many pictures of Australian rations from the war. Fish was a vital component to rations for men in the desert, to receive plenty of protein in a not-so filling package, while delivering a bit more salt to the diet in order to encourage drinking of water.

3 packs of WEET BIX, Australia's favourite high-nutrition Cereal/biscuit. These can be eaten dry as a snack, or boiled with water and sugar, or, better yet, eaten in Milk (hot or cold) as an energy breakfast. Standard Aussie issue wrapper from the time period covers one serving each of these sealed inside an inner cello pouch.

1 Roll of Steam Rollers Mints in the buff war-time wrapper. These are actual Australian Steam Rollers as issued to troops, and will pleasantly surprise you folks if you don't care for the British or German mints that eat your lips off. These are mild and tasty, and were one of the favourites with all troops in the theatre, even inspiring some German mint makers to work on more pleasant mint varieties when some rolls made it back from the front!

1 pack of Indian "Sun" brand matches, which were both issued and sold through NAAFI outlets. They were cheap, plentiful and somewhat waterproof, and come in gastly hand-assembled and labeled wood and paper boxes, just like the originals!

1 Australian 3-in-1 pocket tin opener in its proper 1940 dated envelope. This opener will open cans, lift up caps, and serve as a spoon. The design is so clever, it is still in service today!

Australian WW2 Early War Ration Set B Tinned Tea Lot

This is another lot of Reproduction WW2 Rations, this time it is a set of Rations as used by Australians, Brits, New Zealanders, South Africans and, given half a chance, Germans and Italians during the North African campaigns, and most any front line between 1940-1943.

These reproductions were made up to supplement rations to our group of British WW2 Burma Campaign re-enactors, as the Brits in Burma and elsewhere would utilize a virtual smorgasboard of mixed rations, ranging from locally procured food stuffs, over standard rations, such as 24 hour meal and Compo Rations to exotic items, such as US and Australian ration packs.

These would be perfect for most allied or axis re-enactors running about in North Africa, Crete or the Balkans.

You get the following:

1 Tin of Service Blend Tea in the reclosable 3.1 ounce package. Lid is pry-up style, tea is properly atrocious, and label is standard Aussie Mil. This is where the mate who is good at making Billie tea can shine. (Yes, you use a tin (biscuit or otherwise) with a handle to make the tea in. After brewing it up, you swing it around to settle the leaves...This requires practice, mate!)

2 Packs of Arnott's Sweet Biscuits (These are military biscuits and not fancies)--Quite tasty with a spot of tea or coffee, or even as an energy snack inside your GP ammo pouch. Sealed inside cello bags, inside the buff and properly labeled wrapper. (4.5 ounces each)

1 Tin of sweetened condensed Milk in the proper compo ration wrapper. Even the flimsy rim tin is right! Brew up a mess of tea to share with your mates, or bribe the Gurkhas with this sweetened treat!

1 pack of "Hard Sweets". Similar to British Boiled Sweets, these red, green, orange, yellow and white "lollies" are intended as supplemental rations and energy food, and were a standard item found inside the pocket of most any Commonwealth trooper. 2 cello packs of one ounce each inside the properly marked outer package as issued with daily rations and flight rations.