Italian Group Feeding Rations-Razione Giornaliera

CHARLOTTE'S AXIS ATTIC

Italian Group Feeding Rations-Razione Giornaliera

When field kitchens were not available, troops were issued with the so-called RAZIONE GIORNALIERA (RG, “Daily Ration”). This ration, similar in design to British ‘Compo’ rations, was a group feeding rations, portions of which were meant to be cooked in squad-sized elements as a camp food. These items were large tins of fruit, coffee (both soluble and ground varieties in 100 gram tins), boxed sugar, uncooked pasta etc.

Other components were designed as a take-along ration, such as hard bread packages, sweets, fish tins, meat tins and small 1 and 2 portion-sized tins of prepared meal items or condensed soups.

This ration was issued in boxes containing sufficient food for 10 meals. Even though not specifically broken down for specific meals, these 10-man boxes could include breakfast, lunch and dinner items as appropriate. This ration was the second most prevalent ration right behind actual mess hall food. In some units, cooks were “courted” with offers of additional tobacco rations or less soldiering duties, as the components of the RG could be turned into quite passable fare in the hands of a skilled chef!