The Snapshots in Time Collection

AAF Cloth Escape Chart No. C-53, East China Sea (Side B), 345th Bomber Group Collection

AAF Cloth Escape Chart No. C-53, East China Sea (Side B), 345th Bomber Group Collection

Printed on silk for durability, this Army Air Forces escape chart of the East China Sea region helped downed aircrew navigate to safety by illustrating seasonal ocean currents alongside coastlines from Japan to Taiwan. Charts like this were standard survival equipment for airmen flying long over-water missions from bases such as Ie Shima during World War II. Project: 218404