Letter issued to British servicemen in Europe, 1954 (c)

Even after 1945, there was a risk of being taken prisoner. British servicemen carried letters like this asking for help in a variety of European languages. The letter promises a reward from the British government for people who help lost British servicemen to reach Allied forces.

Along with the letter, the servicemen were issued with a small compass, a map of Berlin and Germany and a saw blade. Similar letters were issued to servicemen during the Korean War (1950-1953) written in languages of the area.