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Friends of the Museum Francisco J. Campos Francisco J. Campos explains the origins of the blood chit. " The concept of the blood chit originated in China during the early days of World War II. It was created by members of General Chennault's American Volunteer Group — the Flying Tigers. The famed pilots wore Chinese and American flags, and a message in Chinese characters. The translated message said that they were American airmen fighting the Japanese invaders of China; they had met misfortune and needed help in evading the Japanese and assistance in returning to their home base. The original blood chit was stenciled on silk, and sewn inside the jacket. If a pilot was downed, he just had to reverse his flying jacket (since American pilots did not spoke Chinese) and let the Chinese peasants to led him to his base. Chinese knew there was a reward for aiding a downed AVG pilot, so they gladly collaborated with downed Flying Tigers. Time passed, and the AVG feats feeded their legend. Japanese pilots were less than confortable when a group of green P40B Tiger Sharks (with the famous 'shark face' painted on nose) was spotted flying into their vector. The AVG pilots started to use them the Blood Chit not inside their jackets, but in the back of their leather vests, as a proud symbol of their efficience. The complete (and fascinating history of the Flying Tigers and their three Squadrons (Hell's Angels, Adam and Eve and Panda Bears) can be read on their homepage, at www.flyingtigersavg.com/tiger1.htm |
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