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Very impressive World War II Australian-made Ike jacket from an airman who had served in the China, Burma, India Theater of Operations. Once arriving in Australia, many soldiers opted to have their uniforms made by local tailors. While staying \"close enough\" to regulations, the variations in these uniforms are endless and offer an interesting niche for the collector.
The jacket has blended influence from both the Commonwealth Battle Dress, and the American Ike jacket. It is unlined (for tropical wear), and has the tailor\'s label on the inside left breast. The label bears the manufacturer\'s code \"N425\" (which I believe is from Australia\'s Northern Territory), the date of 1944, as well as the size, which is a roomy 40R. The tag also proudly proclaims \"Made in Australia\". The left sleeve features a standard CBI shoulder sleeve insignia, which is machine-sewn to the shoulder.
The center of the jacket features a standard US blood chit with 7 different languages, the American flag at the top and the control number \"70765\" at the bottom. The left, front waist has yet another blood chit, except this is the type with the Chinese flag. This one has the control number \"W 78178\". Both chits are machine sewn to the INSIDE of the jacket. This is a highly unusual arrangement, and was likely worn in conjunction with a bomber jacket, or worn in the same fashion as the B13/B14 flight jackets (which resembled the Ike jacket).
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.
The jacket remains in fair-good condition, showing signs of age, use and wear. There is moth damage in varying degrees in different areas of the jacket with numerous holes being seen. Please see the pictures for more detail.
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