The Escape Kit was a waterproof pouch that held a thick pliofilm cover with several maps inside. There are a lot of different types Escape Kits, for all Theaters of Operations. Some have 'Maps' or 'Maps Only' and/or a date, normally the last two digits of the year, i.e. 43 stamped on the outside in Red, Black, White or Blue.
The one on display is a Mark III ETO Escape Kit,
with silk maps of France, Holland etc.
This is the type of kit carried by Allied Airmen, Paratroopers and other Operatives
who might find themselves alone and behind enemy lines.
The maps were made of Silk because it was quiet when
unfolded and compact when stashed inside the waterproof pouch. Biggest benefit
for us, 60 years later, is that the silk map doesn't wear of tear easily.
Even when found underneath the soil, the silk is mostly in pretty good condition
!
The Escape Kit on Display has an additional text: 'If this packet is found it must be handed in at the nearest Police Station at once' , a text for friendly territory use (UK). One can assume that it wouldn't help the person trying to get away in occupied territory, if the map would be brought to the nearest Police Station…
An incredible amount of various guides were issued amongst the Allied soldiers, amongst the language guides; Dutch, French, Italian, German etc. The books are still an excellent tool to communicate.
After Normandy, Paratroopers had to give back the
Escape Kit which was issued before D-Day so the maps could be dispatched
to Air Force personnel and operatives of other actions above or on occupied
grounds.
This order was ignored on a massive scale; the map turned out to be the first
wartime souvenir for many of the soldiers in general, and more specific paratroopers
! This was an item that could easily be stashed away in their pockets where
their other souvenirs had to be left behind when engaged in action (together
with their duffelbags or seaborne rolls never to be seen again, or completely
empty in most of the cases).
Escape Kits could also contain a small type of compass and/or small tools like matches, a mirror or a little saw.
Article: D.C. van den Bogert
