In the history of rations, it was nowhere better demonstrated than in small-group rations that there should be clear-cut
lines of central authority for evaluation of needs before ration development was begun. This was evident during the early
days of World War II when three small-group rations made an almost simultaneous debut because diversified groups sought special
rations for unusual but not clearly defined military purposes. Eventually, the three were replaced by one ration with characteristics
common to all. Although the consolidation was preceded by confusion, loss, and delay, the initial threefold development had
the important result of entrenching the Quartermaster Corps Research and Development Laboratory as the central agency responsible
for ration development.
At severe altitudes solid foods are undesirable, but sweets, fruits, and soups are well tolerated. After experimentation
at the Quartermaster's Chicago Subsistence Research Laboratory, the Mountain Ration was developed for use by "Alpine Troops",
the 10th Mountain Division and the First Special Service Force (FSSF) in particular. The ration contained 4,800 calories and
items of adequate roughage capable of slow digestion. The components were assembled in a solid fiber carton labeled "U. S.
Army Mountain Ration." Three cartons, one of each menu, were over-packed in a similarly labeled outer carton.
The Mountain Ration was not popular since it was excessively heavy to transport in the mountains and required cooking or
at least heating. One 10th Mountain Division soldier in Italy, after experiencing the time delay, noise and clutter of preparing
the Mountain Ration, commented that it must have been developed by the Axis.
It was the Laboratory product that emerged as the ultimate World War II group ration. The original trio were the Mountain,
Jungle, and 5-in-1 rations; their common successor was called "ration, 10-in-1." 43 The activation of mountain troops in 1941
led to a demand for a ration suitable for use in cold, high-altitude climates. The Laboratory was asked to provide a ration
that would not exceed 40 ounces in weight, be easy to cook at high altitudes, stress compact packaging, contain 4,800 calories
and items of adequate roughage capable of slow digestion. The resultant specification in November 1942 proposed
that the mountain ration consist of food for four men for one day.
Before the specification was available, and despite Laboratory warning that purchases should be limited pending determination
of specification adequacy, procurement of more than 600,000 rations was underway. An additional one and one-quarter millions
were procured in 1942 and early 1943. Procurement halted completely there-after.
