Spring Military Aviation and Militaria Auction
Lot 71A:
Description
An original WWII Royal Air Force (RAF) British Government “blood chit” issued for use in the Middle East theater, this scarce survival aid leaflet features the British coat of arms on the cover with bilingual English and Arabic text inside. Intended for downed Allied airmen, the message respectfully requests assistance from local Arab populations—offering protection, food, and safe passage to British or Allied forces in exchange for a reward. The interior includes a phonetic “useful words” glossary to aid communication, further underscoring its practical field use. Printed on lightweight paper and carried by aircrew in hostile territory, examples were often lost or destroyed, making surviving specimens increasingly desirable. This piece displays expected age toning and handling wear consistent with wartime issue, adding to its authenticity and historical appeal as a tangible artifact of RAF operations and Allied cooperation in the Middle East during World War II.
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