5-in-1 and Assault Lunch Rations

According to "Special Rations for the Armed Forces" of the QMC Historical Studies, the 5-in-1 ration was introduced in 1942 for motorized combat groups operating in desert areas, providing rations for five men for one day. This concept later became the basis of the 10-in-1 package, and the menu was similar to its successor. Though extensive procurements of the 5-in-1 ended in 1943, the ration did continue throughout the war. When the 10-in-1 program ended in 1948, the 5-in-1 pack was developed as the "Ration, Small-Detachment, 5-in-1" and was used in Korea.

The Assault Lunch was was a late-war design that came out of the needs of the amphibious campaigns in the Pacific. Soldiers needed something packing a lot of calories for the period between the beginning of an assault and the time when supplies could make their way to the soldiers ashore. The resulting menu contained chocolate bars, caramels, dried fruit (prunes and raisins), chewing gum, peanuts, salt tablets, cigarettes, matches, and water purification tablets. They were packaged in a resealable plastic film packet, and 45 of these packets were sealed in a 6 1/2 gallon metal drum for shipping and distribution. Hudson an Allen say the Assault Ration was phased out after the Korean War.

The Quartermaster Museum was unable to provide me with additional material or images, so I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the Hudson and Allen Assault and Small Detachment Rations product, except to say they have done their homework on their other products and provide the best items of the other rations types, so they've got a commendable track record in my book. I would use the Small Detachment boxes (dated May 1944) in Europe, Italy, or the Pacific, and the Assault Rations in the Pacific.

5-in-1 and Assault Lunch Rations Packaging

Product	Hudson & Allen Studio (1115): Assault and Small Detachment Rations, U.S. Army - World War II / Korea
Number of Items	3 each of 2 versions of box-and-sleeve combination 4 of box top-and-bottom style with two-piece insert boxes
Historical dimensions	not available
Product dimensions	Carton 1: 17 1/2 x 13 x 10 Sleeve 1: 17 1/2 x 14 x 10 1/2 Carton 2: 17 x 12 x 10 Sleeve 2: 17 x 12 x 10 Carton 3 top 14 x 12 x 11 Carton 3 bottom: 12 1/2 x 11 x 10 1/2 Inner box: 13 x 12 x 5 1/4
Material and color	Light card stock; color is acceptable.
Instructions	Yes
Markings	Version 1 and 2 Carton and Sleeve: FOOD PACKET INDIVIDUAL ASSAULT 1A COLE PACKAGING, INC. CLINTON, IOWA 14 Packets WT 29.0 CU 1.1 fine print and stampings; markings are on four sides of sleeve, two sides of carton. Version 3 Carton Cover: RATION SMALL DETACHMENT 5 IN 1E MENU 1 LOT 963 PACKED 5-44 WT 28 CU 1.2 STR. NO. 14-C-563 FOSTER-KANE INC. DAYTON, OHIO CONT. NO. 31-889 fine print and stampings Version 3, Inner Boxes: MENU 1 FIRST (or SECOND) HALF OF 5 RATIONS fine print and stampings
Comments	Excellent appearance and easy construction. Make sure you have the correct sleeves and cartons for each of the two styles. The inner boxes of the third style carton are nicely done; you can leave a flap open or closed.
Finished Product
Final Thoughts	Very good. While I can't vouch for the dimensions, the markings look good. An interesting choice that one does not see often in dioramas.