Interesting batch of 5 ration heating methanol containers, supplied to US Army during WWII. Manufactured in tin, the boxes, a product of the Hotel Research Laboratories of New York, held 3 ozs. (about 85 grams) wood alcohol each, a toxic spirits, also known as methyl alcohol or methanol, with excellent combustion qualities, capable of heating, as read the black inscription on the olive drab can body, a meal for 5 men, or 6 individual meals of the famous US Army C-ration, combat ration composed, in its turn, by two canned, precooked food units, one based on stewed meat (the M-unit), and the other on sweets (the B-unit). Ignitable with a simple lighter, the flame, as explained by the instructions for use on the container's back, could be put out by using the cover upside-down. In good state of preservation, except for some signs of time clearly visible from the photos, the tins, 4 of which still keep, in whole or in part, the original liquid inside, reveal a strong evocative power of the harshness of life in war, and suit well for the placement in US 1941-1945 militaria collections.