![]() The Chinese were more successful in keeping the silk secret from Europeans. It became a state secret, but a secret that leaked out to other parts of Asia, including South Asia, including the Indus Valley civilization. ![]() Archaeological date it even earlier to the Yangshao period (5000–3000 BC). Confucian texts texts provide the first written evidence (2700 BC). Sericulture or the production of silk was developed in ancient China, but little is know about just when and where. There is some indication that usage increased as air combat shifted to the Home Islands in the final months of the War. In this case, the pilots often put them on. Some base commanders insisted that parachutes be used. Most commanders allowed the pilots to decide. Also the pilots often operating over enemy territory did not want to be captured. Many complained that they restricted movement in the cockpit. Many of the pilots, however, decided not to use them. After all, a trained and experienced pilot was a valuable asset. This was especially true of the Japanese because they had so few and their training program was not geared up to produce very many new skilled pilots. ![]() It was the shortage of experienced pilots, not aircraft, that almost caused the British to lose the all-important battle of Britain. Like American, British, and German aviation operations, pilots were a very valuable commodity. By this time because of German operations (1940-41), the United States was preparing to form parachute units and needed silk. 【Chase] And silk was the major fabric used for parachutes, silk exports ended with the advent of the Pacific War (December 1941). Thousands of households in rural areas ere involved in silk reeling, and three-quarters of the output was exported. Japan was a major producer of silk and before the War, exported large quantities. ![]() The limited use of parachutes among aviators was the case despite the fact that the Japanese had extensive access to silk. Although the Japanese did form parachute infantry units. It is, however, true that many Japanese aviators did not have parachute and not just the Kamikaze pilots. The photographic record clearly shows some air crews wearing parachutes. Some authors claim that the Japanese pilots did not have parachutes. ![]() We note various comments about Japanese parachutes during World War II. The Pacific War: Japanese Use of Parachutes ![]()
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