| 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 Flying Tiger 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.
|
| Col 5, 6 |
Col 4 |
Col 3 |
Col 2 |
Col 1 |
Issuing
Authority |
Deliver
Protect |
Soldier
Civilian
One
Body |
Foreign
Person
|
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
|
Pure Chinese silk. |
|
