During World War II, in the Pacific War and the War of Resistance against Japan, the Chinese Phrase Book, TM 30-633, War Department, 1943 edition, was issued by the U.S. War Department. In the China–Burma–India Theater, British and American officers, NCOs, and enlisted personnel aiding China were issued this booklet almost universally—earning it the nickname “the little red book”—to help them communicate more effectively with the Chinese population.
The handbook contains a large number of essential phrases for daily interaction, accompanied by detailed phonetic pronunciation guides that differ greatly from modern Hanyu Pinyin, making it particularly interesting to read today.
This is a perfect facsimile reproduction, not the low-quality, blurry scanned versions commonly found on eBay. The entire book has been re-typeset and carefully proofread, all illustrations redrawn, and the typefaces and paper faithfully matched to the original wartime edition.
With 272 pages, it is likely the thickest of all language phrasebooks officially issued to U.S. troops during World War II. It serves as an excellent prop for historical reenactment as well as a highly desirable collectible for appreciation and study.