U.S. Army 14th Army Air Force Map, 'The Flying Tigers', Pilot's Survival, Evasion and Escape Map
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Mr. Kaufman says:
"We located a small number of original U.S. Army Air Force WWII issue survival and escape maps dated 1943 in Warehouse No. 3 that were specifically designed for use by American bomber and fighter pilot and air crews in the CBI (China Burma India) Theatre fighting the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy."
U.S. Army 14th Air Force (AAF) The Flying Tigers and the 20th Air Force 'Survival, Evasion and Escape' map of Southeast China:
The map was a vital component of every pilot and crew member's survival vest if he crashed or was shot down over enemy held territory. Each full-color double-sided map displays the wind and ocean currents, which would have afforded the Airman a greater chance of survival depending on his perilous situation. They were printed on rayon* as silk from Japan was unavailable.
*During the War, the U.S. Government required a material durable enough to withstand the demands of airborne warfare for use in parachutes as well as for survival maps such as these that could withstand the corrosive effects of salt water if AAF personnel crashed or were shot down in the ocean surrounding the islands of Japan.
Silk would have been the obvious choice, but since America's supply prior to Pearl Harbor came from Japan, rayon proved to be a suitable replacement.
Obverse side, No. 34, Southeast China
The 14th AAF was the main U.S. Army Air Force component of the CBI Theater under the command of General Joseph Stilwell.
This map was designed for military personnel assigned to the 14th Army Air Force stationed in Kunming China. Throughout the years 1943 through 1945, the Flying Tigers as they came to be known bombed the cities of Kowloon outside of Hong Kong, Hankou, Heng Yang and Formosa, which is present-day Taiwan, all cities clearly delineated on the map.
Reverse side: The Luzon Islands of the Philippines
The 20th AAF stationed in Chengdu, China was also a component of the CBI and was assigned to the Philippine Theater during the War. A portion of the 20th's B-25 bombers flew missions over Tokyo and Manchuria.
Each map is in mint condition and has never even been unfolded! Just imagine- you can be the first to remove its 80-year-old black military issue rubber band and unfold it since the day it was manufactured in 1943!
The map was a vital component of every pilot and crew member's survival vest if he crashed or was shot down over enemy held territory. Each full-color double-sided map displays the wind and ocean currents, which would have afforded the Airman a greater chance of survival depending on his perilous situation. They were printed on rayon* as silk from Japan was unavailable.
*During the War, the U.S. Government required a material durable enough to withstand the demands of airborne warfare for use in parachutes as well as for survival maps such as these that could withstand the corrosive effects of salt water if AAF personnel crashed or were shot down in the ocean surrounding the islands of Japan.
Silk would have been the obvious choice, but since America's supply prior to Pearl Harbor came from Japan, rayon proved to be a suitable replacement.
Obverse side, No. 34, Southeast China
The 14th AAF was the main U.S. Army Air Force component of the CBI Theater under the command of General Joseph Stilwell.
This map was designed for military personnel assigned to the 14th Army Air Force stationed in Kunming China. Throughout the years 1943 through 1945, the Flying Tigers as they came to be known bombed the cities of Kowloon outside of Hong Kong, Hankou, Heng Yang and Formosa, which is present-day Taiwan, all cities clearly delineated on the map.
Reverse side: The Luzon Islands of the Philippines
The 20th AAF stationed in Chengdu, China was also a component of the CBI and was assigned to the Philippine Theater during the War. A portion of the 20th's B-25 bombers flew missions over Tokyo and Manchuria.
Each map is in mint condition and has never even been unfolded! Just imagine- you can be the first to remove its 80-year-old black military issue rubber band and unfold it since the day it was manufactured in 1943!
Some aging and discoloration is visible on the rayon where the rubber band has remained all these years.
Measures: 24" L X 23" W and is suitable for framing.
Measures: 24" L X 23" W and is suitable for framing.
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