Pocket Guide to China (1942), Collector’s Edition, from the U.S. Army in the Pacific War during World War II, was a handbook issued to American soldiers stationed in China during the War of Resistance against Japan. It was illustrated with the participation of renowned cartoonist Milton Caniff and printed in full color. The complete book contains 75 pages.
Its primary purpose was to help U.S. troops fighting alongside Chinese military and civilians adapt to Chinese culture, customs, and practical communication needs. The guide provides relatively detailed introductions to China’s geography, social customs, basic Chinese conversational phrases, currency exchange, weights and measures, and repeatedly emphasizes the importance of respecting Chinese culture and traditions.
The 1942 edition includes a special comic section titled “How to Identify the Enemy”, which is particularly interesting. This section was removed in the later 1943 edition, making the 1942 version a rare collector’s item.
This book is not a scanned reproduction; it is a highly accurate restoration that preserves all original early content. It is regarded as one of the important historical sources for studying Sino–American cooperation during World War II.