When I researched this subject in relation to our grandfather (who was KIA in 1945), I was not able to get a clear understanding of what was carried by the airmen. I think it varied throughout the war. I do have the dinghy pack contents, but only for the Lancaster.

However, having just re-read my notes, I came across the following which is a listing of the contents of one of the "survival kits" used by the RAF:

Malted milk tablets, liver toffee, matches, chewing gum, boiled sweets, Halazone tablets (water purification), Benzedrine tablets (Wakey Wakey's), fishing line, compass, sewing needle and thread, razor and soap.

Update:

I found this, which was posted on another forum, which may provide you with the information you need. From The Bomber Command Handbook 1939-1945 by Jonathan Falconer.

'Before take-off on a raid, every crew member was issued with an escape and survival pack to help them evade capture if forced down over enemy territory. However, few of those who were shot down, and survived, had much chance of using the small escape pack they all carried because they were quickly apprehended by German forces.

Escape packs were issued sealed and collected from crews in their return. They came in several different forms, fitting easily into a battledress pocket, and each contained a variety of useful items and ingenious gadgets to help its owner with his escape and survival. They included packets of real foreign currency and detailed waterproof maps of Europe printed on silk, some of which showed the best escape routes and frontiers. These were sometimes issued separately. Occasionally sewn into battledress lining, and at other times as part of a complete escape pack.

The Type 2 Ration and escape pack, made from clear acetate plastic in two closely fitting sections, was known as an escape box. It contained rations for 48 hours and a variety of aids for survival when living off the land, including high-energy foodstuffs such as Horlicks tablets, chewing gum, chocolate, barley sugar sweets, and a tube of condensed milk. The survival aids included matches, magnetised razor blades (to serve as a compass pointer),a small compass, a heliograph (to signal with), Benzedrine tablets (known to aircrew as wakey-wakey pills') to combat tiredness, water-purifying tablets, a rubber water Bottle, needle and thread and fishing twine, a razor and soap. The contents varied from kit to kit and on what condensed rations were available at any given time.

The Mk IV escape box was cleverly designed as a hollow circular container that could also double as a water bottle. Its contents included a silk escape map, Horlicks tablets, chocolate, water-purifying tablets, matches, needle and thread. To empty the contents, the side of the box had first to be removed and then replaced to form a bottle. The stopper unscrewed to reveal a tiny watch and compass.

In addition to the escape packs there were additional pieces of escape equipment and gadgets issued as personal items, or as articles of clothing and flying kit. These included the 1943 pattern flying boots that could be cut down to make a pair of walking shoes (see page 154), the standard issue British forces Bakelite razor that often contained a compass in the base, a magnetised fly-button compass, tunic and cap buttons that unscrewed to reveal a tiny compass, a tobacco pouch containing a map concealed inside the lining, and a pencil that if broken at a certain letter embossed on the pencil would reveal a tiny compass inside'

Regards

Pete

-- Edited by PeteT on Thursday 29th of November 2012 07:16:21 PM