Major Thomas Dale Hutchinson, USAAF	Maps & Compass for the Downed Aviator 8th Air Force, 384th Bomber Group, 547th Squadron A page from the Thomas Dale Hutchinson (deceased) collection describing his W.W.II experiences as a B-17 Pilot, and Deputy Commander of the 384th Bomber Group, 8th U.S. Army Air Force
	"Maps Only" pouch from Major Hutchinson's B-17 memorabilia. I assume this to be part an emergency kit. The lettering on the pouch says "C/D E/F Maps Only." The pouch contains four maps, back to back on two cloth sheets, one about 32 X 32, the other about 28 X 28. The map scale is 1:100,000. I have never fully unfolded the maps, but they obviously cover where a downed aviator might find himself. The tiny compass snaps to north like the needle was on a rubber band! I don't know what is wrapped inside the chewing gum shaped "stick." My guess is that it is a wire used as a cutting tool. I don't know if its relevant, but the maps feel like they are damp. Were they "preserved" in something? This compass looks like a toy, but I was astounded when I put it in my palm. It snapped to north like I had a magnet up my sleeve!
	The material on these pages, and considerably more, came into my possession after Thomas Dale Hutchinson's death. I hope to add to this website until I have all 25 of his missions, the crew photos, pilot's logs, and bombing photos displayed. For further information contact David Habura at dave.paul@att.net