| In
the China-Burma-India threatre of World War II, Flying Tiger pilots were issued silk Blood
Chits by the Chinese government. The chits identified the bearer as a friend of the
Chinese. They asked the Chinese people to protect and help downed flyers,
which they did with enthusiasm. At the top of the chit was the
flag of the Nationalist Government of China with a white sun and twelve rays (not a star,
not a flower). You can find the literal translation and the meaning of the
characters below our AVG blood chit.
The blood chits did not promise a reward, did not carry the
pilot's name, and did not carry Chiang Kai-shek's signature or chop. Silk blood
chits were stamped with a serial number and the chop of the Nationalist Government's
Commission for Aeronautical Affairs.
When pilots sewed their chits onto their flight suits or
jackets, they did not wear well. And they would be available only if they wore that
particular garment. Many aviators carried their official blood chit in a convenient
pocket or sewed it into their jacket lining as an extra pocket.
Pilots often made a copy of their chit from dyed leather
purchased from local merchants. They hand cut the Chinese sun and and hand painted
the Chinese characters. Then they sewed their new chit onto their flight suit or
jacket. Hand-made leather replicas did not carry either the Commission
for Aeronautical Affairs chop or a serial number |
| Col 5, 6 |
Col 4 |
Col 3 |
Col 2 |
Col 1 |
Issuing
Authority |
Deliver
Protect |
Soldier
Civilian
One
Body |
Foreign
Person
American |
Come
China
Help
Fight |
| "This foreign person has come to China to
help in the war effort. Soldiers and civilians, one and all, should rescue, protect,
and provide him medical care." Issued by the Commission for Aeronautical
Affairs. |
|
Size
|
7 3.4 inches (20 cm) by
11 inches (26.5 cm). |
|
Materials
|
100% leather |
|
