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Recently, I was fortunate enough to add a rare and nearly complete survival kit from the Second World War to my collection: an original RAF Escape & Evasion survival kit.

This compact plastic box was issued between 1943 and 1945 to Allied pilots, paratroopers, commandos, and infantrymen. The purpose of these kits was to help servicemen survive after a forced landing or parachute drop behind enemy lines — and to increase their chances of making it back safely.

In the collection of the Imperial War Museum
The kit I acquired closely matches examples held in the collections of the Imperial War Museum, the Canadian War Museum, and the Pegasus Memorial in Ranville. These sets are known as the “Ration Pack Mk.IV,” developed under the supervision of MI9, the British military intelligence service responsible for escape and evasion equipment. From 1943 onward, the kits were standardized in waterproof plastic containers — a major improvement over earlier versions made from metal or cardboard.

What makes this kit particularly special is its completeness and the fact that it contains elements identical to those found in museum examples and original wartime documentation. My set includes, among other things, the well-known “How to Snare Rabbits” instruction — a simple but vital tool for trapping rabbits in the field using wire and two wooden pegs. It also contains Halazone tablets (for water purification), a collapsible water bag, a chocolate bar, chewing gum, and high-calorie milk and caramel tablets. Included as well was a waterproof miniature compass — an essential tool for navigation during an escape attempt.

What makes this object so fascinating is that it’s a tangible example of the practical and innovative thinking within the British armed forces during the war. Every component of this kit was designed to be compact, discreet, and highly functional. The combination of simplicity and effectiveness makes it a truly unique piece of wartime history!