Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II
DAYTON, Ohio - British-made buttons carried by some USAAF airmen. One button was magnetized, and it pointed north when balanced on the pin of the other button. This pen clip compass pointed north when balanced on a pin or hung from a string. This compass, usually hidden in clothing, pointed north when balanced on a pin. This uniform button concealed a compass. To help prevent discovery by prison guards, the lid unscrewed in a clockwise direction. Some POWs made their own maps to be used after they escaped. Following a request from MIS-X, the U.S. Playing Card Company concealed sections of a complete map within individual cards, like the reproductions displayed here. These items are on display in the "Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II" exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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