If you got shot down behind enemy lines and a local found you, you wanted one of these to help make sure you got back home.
-Expert
Facts[]
- Fact 1: A blood chit is an official document carried by a pilot promising reward for the safe return of its carrier to his home country.
- Fact 2: The first blood chit was issued in by George Washington to French hot air balloonist Jean-Pierre Blanchard for his 1793 American tour.
- Fact 3: British combat pilots in WWI began carrying blood chits to encourage central Asian locals to return them to British lines if downed.
- Fact 4: Kits issued to American pilots in WWII included blood chits printed in over 50 languages, along with small barter items such as coins and sewing needles.
- Fact 5: In case of severe injury or unconciousness in a crash, many pilots sewed their chits directly onto the backs of their flight uniforms.