WW2 US USAAF Silk Escape Map Japan and South China Seas No C-52 and C-53 1945 Dated 33″ X 31″

The WW2 US USAAF Silk Escape Map, featuring Japan and the South China Seas (No C-52 and C-53), is an original 1945-dated navigation aid issued to airmen of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Measuring approximately 33 inches by 31 inches, this map is printed on silk, a material selected for its durability, water resistance, and ease of concealment. The map displays detailed geographical information on the regions of Japan and the South China Seas, with markings in English to assist in orientation and travel. Used primarily for survival and evasion, silk escape maps were designed to support downed pilots and crew in finding safe routes or identifying key landmarks while avoiding capture. The item serves as a historical artifact illustrating the practical tools issued to Allied servicemen for personal safety and strategic mobility in hostile territories during the later stages of the Pacific theater in World War II.