The Blood Chits

The Blood Chit; a device issued by a government to an air crew member bearing a message in one of more languages that identifies him as a member of a particular military establishment, and promises as reward for his return to friendly control. Last Hope, The Blood Chit Story Chapter 1, The Evader's Last Hope, Air Force Dictionary definition

The mere thought of being forced down behind enemy or unknown territory can be a the absolute worst fear of any combat pilot or air crewman. The concept of a Blood Chit has its beginnings in the earliest establishment of aerial flight. The document known as the British Empire FAI Aviators Certificate of 1905, was carried as a simple identification form or booklet that indicated the airman's qualifications, country of origin. It also included requests for assistance in different languages, including, English French, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian. Though technically not a true Blood Chit, it did from the basis for requesting assistance in different languages. The first true Blood Chit was used by Royal Air Force Squadrons operating in India in the latter years of World War One. Although it was the development and use of Chits by American Volunteer Group flying over China that firmly established the importance of the Bloor Chit.

The artifacts on this page will included a reference number to the International Blood Chit Museum. It is by far not a complete collection of all Blood Chit variants but many good examples are presented here.

Post-AVG Rescue Patch

A very unusual Chit which features the Chinese Ambassadors Seal or Chop in the center of piece that does not included the "may-guo" characters. This is an indication it is Post American Volunteer Group issued. The National People's Government Aeronautical Commission approved the text of all chits. I.B.C.M. REB-2220, Fig. 7.3 Pg.85, Last Hope. MM-96

MIS-X Type One Chit

The Military Intelligence Service, MIS-X, provided information and training for aircrew escape and evasion tactics. Part of this was the use of the Blood Chit. These were approved by MIS-X who also worked with Chinese Officials to stamp each approved chit with the seal (chop) of the Nationalistic Chinese Ambassador to the United States. This variant with the "W" before the serial indicates wit was issued in Washington. I.B.C.M. REB-3244, Fig. 7.33 Pg. 104, Last Hope. MM-163

MIS-X Type Two Chit

This is and early Type Two MIS-X Chit issued for use in China. The only change was a slightly different text then on Type One MIS-X Chits. The National People's Government Aeronautical Commission approved claimed all chits and, on this variant, indicated it was a borrowed piece. I.B.C.M. REB-3246, Fig. 7.34 Pg. 105, Last Hope.MM-164

U.S. Made DEB-10 5 Language

The DEB-10 chits were printed in India and intended to be used by pilots flying “The Hump. Although this variant was produced in the United States and is considered on ef he best US Made chits. The material is rayon with drill cotton back. The five languages are, Burmese, S. Shan, Chinese, Sgaw Karen and W. Shan. A unique feature to identify this chit is the serial number being printed with purple ink. I.B.C.M. REB 3242, Fig. 7.32, Pg. 103, Last Hope, MM-176

U.S. Made DEB-10 5 Language

The DEB-10 chits were printed in India and intended to be used by pilots flying “The Hump. Although this variant was produced in the United States and is considered one of the best US Made chits. The material is rayon with drill cotton back. The five languages are, Burmese, S. Shan, Chinese, Sgaw Karen and W. Shan. A unique feature to identify this chit is the serial number being printed with purple ink. I.B.C.M. REB 3242, Fig. 7.32, Pg. 103, Last Hope, MM-177

Leather Applique Variant

The multi piece appliqued construction of this interesting souvenir patch. Although it is not considered a true Blood Chit as it has not been approved the Aeronautical Commission nor features the Ambassadors Seal or Chop. These, are nonetheless very intricate and beautiful designs and many are found with personalized notations added. This artifact has none of that, though is considered an earlier variant due to the design of he China Burma India Theater insignia. I.B.C.M., REB-9030, Fig. 7.98, Pg. 140 Last Hope, MM-178

Korean War Era, 13 Language Chit

This large Korean War era Blood Chit was published by the Aeronautical Chart and Information Service, of the United States Air Force. This chit is identified as XM-51-1 (European). Accepted in February 1951 and lithographed in April, 1951. The languages included are; Persian, Arabic, Turkish, Italian, Greek, Finnish, Serbo-Croatian, German, Polish, French English, Swedish and Russian. This chit and other Korean War era chits are not discussed in Last Hope. Chit No. 25480E 13 Language, XM-51-1 (European) MM-167

Korean War Era, 10 Language Chit

Another large format Korean War era Blood Chit and was also published by the Aeronautical Chart and Information Service, of the United States Air Force. This chit is identified as XM-51-2 (Far East). Accepted in February 1951 and lithographed in April, 1951. The 10 languages on this chit are; Japanese, Korean, Chinese, German, Burmese, French, Hindi, English, Urdu, and Russian. This chit and other Korean War era chits are not discussed in Last Hope. Chit No. 22247E 10 Language, XM-51-2 (Far East) MM-168

Korean War Era, 14 Language Chit

This Blood Chit was published by the Aeronautical Chart and Information Service, of the United States Air Force. This chit is identified as XM-51-3 (USSR and Satellites). Accepted in February 1951 and lithographed in April, 1951. The Languages printed in this chit are; Arabic, Greek, Bulgarian, German, Russian, French, Lithuanian, Hungarian, Turkish, Rumanian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, and English. This chit and other Korean War era chits are not discussed in Last Hope. Chit No. 0222B 14 language, XM-51-2 (USSR and Satellites) MM-169

American-Russian Chit

A very unique Blood Chit printed on a paper like cloth. Of course, these were intended for use over Soviet Territory. The paper/cloth was quite thin, so much so, you could actually see though and read the printing on the obverse. Earlier variants were printed on rayon with black ink and this paper/cloth variant was printed in blue ink. The chits were published and distributed in large numbers near the end of the war. I.B.C.M. REB-3220, Fig. 6.24/6.25, Pg. 73 Last Hope, MM-187

American-Russian Chit

The reverse of the dual language chit. It has English instructions on how to conduct themselves when approached by Russian soldiers. I.B.C.M. REB-3220, Fig. 6.24/6.25, Pg. 73 Last Hope, MM-187

MIS-X Type 4, Five Language

The Type Four MIS-X chit printed on rayon with 7 languages. The centrally located serial number is now printed in red ink. This is a feature of an early variant of this chit. An interesting thing is the inclusion of Japanese on this chit, as well as identifying each language. The languages on this chit are; French, Annamese, Thai, Lao, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. I.B.C.M. REB-3250, Fig. 7.39, Pg. 109 Last Hope, MM-188

United Kingdom 17 Language

The United Kingdom flag is the centerpiece of this large Blood Chit, and indicates its use by British aviators. It is a 17 language chit that included French, Annamite, Malay, Jawi, Haka, Sumatra, Thai, Kachin, Tamil, W. Shan, Laizo, Karen, Burmese, Chinese, E. Shan and N Thai, as well as Bengali. It is a very large chit that is printed on rayon, most likely in Britain. Apparently, there were a large number of these produced and there were earlier variants which were printed in different color inks and made of a silk. I.B.C.M., REB1256-1, Fig. 7.30, Pg. 101, Last Hope. MM-175

United States Flag

The flag was produced in India and was most likely made around the same time as the DEB-10 Chits. It is printed on Silk and sewn to Cotton and was another example of theater made, officially issued item. I.B.C.M. REB 3252, Fig. 7.42, Pg. 11 Lat Hope, MM-162

Desert Shield, 1990, Blood Chit

This unique and very late version of the Blood Chit is not listed on the International Blood Chit Museums database. This chit was produced the Operation Desert Shield and indicated on the Chit. It was prepared and published by the Defense Mapping Agency Aerospace Center, in St. Louis MO. The languages included are Arabic, Persian (Farsi), Kurdish, Turkish and English. An interesting feature are the serial numbered corners. It has been suggested that a corner would be torn of and used as a confirmation of indent of the holder being transported by other forces. MM-189

Type A-2 Jacket, Silk CBI Chit, Leather Flag, Unidentified

An interesting Type A-2 Flight jacket fitted with silk, quilted and embroidered letter Blood Chit. The large leather United States multi-piece flag is an anomalous feature that is very roughly attached with heavy thread. It is also fitted with a China, Burma India Theater shoulder sleeve insignia and remnants of leather 1st Lieutenants bars. The chit is a souvenir piece and is a copy of an Aero Commission Rescue Patch. even the embroidered text copies the original. This chit is discussed in the book Last Hope and featured as Fig. 7.91, pg. 137, and is referenced in the international Blood Chit Museum database as REB-9023. The jacket was made by the Fried Osterman Company of Milwaukee Wisconsin and was one of 8000 jackets produced. It is featured on the published book American Flight Jackets. UJ-188

Type A-2 Flight Jacket, 3rd Combat Cargo Squadron, Lt. Gene W. Gooch

Brief History of the 3rd C.C.S.

LINEAGE. Constituted 3d Combat Cargo Squadron on 11 Apr 1944· Activated on 15 Apr 1944· Re-designated 328^th Troop Carrier Squadron on 29 Sep 1945· Inactivated on 20 Dec 1945· Re-designated 328th Troop Carrier Squadron (Medium) on 4 Aug 1949. Activated in the reserve on 2 Sep 1949· Ordered to active service on 15 Mar 1951· Inactivated on 1 Apr 1951· Activated in the reserve on. 14 Jun 1952. Ordered to active service on 28 Oct 1962. Relieved from active duty on 28 Nov 1962.

ASSIGNMENTS. 1st Combat Cargo (later 512th Troop Carrier) Group, 15 Apr 1944-20 Dec 1945 (under operational control of Air Transport Command, 23 Jun-20 Aug 1945, and 69th Composite Wing, 25 Aug-to Nov 1945)· 512^th Troop Carrier Group, 2 Sep 1949-1 Apr 1951· 512th Troop Carrier Group, 14 Jun 1952; 349th Troop Carrier Group, 16 Nov 1957; 512th Troop Carrier Group, 25 Mar 1958; 512th Troop Carrier Wing, 14 Apr 1959; 914th Troop Carrier Group, 11 Feb 1963-.

STATIONS. Bowman Field, Ky, 15 Apr-5 Aug 1944; SyIhet, India, 30 Aug 1944 (detachment operated from Yunnani, China, 16 Sept Oct 1944); TuIihal, India, 18 Oct 1944; Hathazari, India, 7 Apr 1945; Myitkyina, Burma, 1 Jun 1945; Luliang, China, 25 Aug 1945; Kunming, China, 4 Sep 1945; Waragpur, India, 15 Nov-u>Dec 1945· Reading Mun Aprt, Pa, 2 Sep 1949; New Castle County Aprt, Del, 1 May 1950-1 Apr 1951· New Castle County Aprt, Del, 14 Jun 1952; Paine AFB, Wash, 16 Nov 1957; Niagara Falls Mun Aprt, NY, 25 Mar 1958·

AIRCRAFT. C-47 1944-1945· C-119, 1962,

OPERATIONS. Aerial transportation in CBI, 16 Sep 1944-14 Nov 1945·

SERVICE STREAMERS. None.

CAMPAIGNS. India-Burma; China Defensive; Central Burma; China Offensive.

DECORATIONS Distinguished Unit Citation: French Indo-China, China, and Manchuria, 1-30 Sep 1945·

Type A-2 Jacket issued to Lt. Gene Gooch

The very distinctive squadron insignia of the 3rd Combat Cargo Squadron. They flew C-47 over "The Hump".

Type A-2 Jacket issued to Lt. Gene Gooch - Back

A stunning multi-piece leather and hand painted chit. I.B.C.M., REB-9030, Fig. 7.98, Pg. 140 Last Hope, MM-178

Type A-2 Jacket issued to Lt. Gene Gooch - Interior

Simple cloth flags re-purposed into interior pockets

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