Blood chit

Blood Chit

A blood chit is a notice carried by military personnel and addressed to any civilians who may come across an armed-services member – such as a shot-down pilot – in difficulties. As well as identifying the force to which the bearer belongs as friendly, the notice displays a message requesting that the service member be rendered every assistance.

History

The concept of the blood chit originated in British India where, in exchange for assistance, local leaders were promised a "blood debt" (chit) to be paid in the event of future need. The use of blood chits by military personnel can be traced back to the First World War, and they have been issued in one form or another by many nations.

Design and Usage

Blood chits are typically made of fabric or paper, and are carried by military personnel in a safe place such as a flight suit or survival kit. The message they carry is often printed in several languages, and it usually identifies the bearer as a military member who is lost or in distress, and requests all who read it to render him assistance and to treat him kindly in accordance with local customs.

Notable Instances

During World War II, blood chits were extensively used by the Flying Tigers and other air units operating in the China-Burma-India theater. They were also used during the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.

Controversies

While blood chits have undoubtedly saved the lives of many service members, their use has not been without controversy. Some argue that they can put civilians in danger by making them targets for reprisals. Others contend that they are an outdated concept in an era of global positioning systems and satellite communications.

See Also

• Escape and evasion map
• Survival kit
• Dog tag