This web page, published by the Military Postal History Society, contains the text content of the single frame The Expansion of Serbia 1876 to 1921 This exhibit was created by, and is the property of the late Al Kugel, and is being supplied by his heirs as a courtesy to the Military Postal History Society.
This exhibit documents through contemporary postal material the tumultuous story of the expansion of Serbia in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. The events depicted were triggered by an uprising against the Ottoman Empire by the Christian Slavs in Bosnia-Hercegovina in 1875, which provoked an unsuccessful Serbian attack on Turkey. Subsequently, the intervention of Russia in the war against the Turks rescued the Serbs and enhanced their territory. Later, additional wars were fought against both the Ottoman Empire and against its Balkan neighbors in conflicts over the division of the spoils of Turkey's lost possessions in Europe. Following the end of World War I, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later renamed Jugoslavia) was created, with the Serbs playing a dominant political role.
To view the exhibit page images, see: web page linking to the image content of the 10 exhibit frames.
Updated 4/13/2023
THE EXPANSION OF SERBIA 1876 TO 1921
The exhibit is laid out chronologically as it runs through the various conflicts, including the Serbo-Turkish & Russo-Turkish Wars of 1876-1878, the war against Bulgaria in 1885, the First & Second Balkan Wars in 1912-1913 and, finally, World War I from 1914 to 1918 as well as its aftermath. As a result, the bulk of the material shown is either mail from the Serbian forces participating in the various campaigns or civil mail from newly liberated or occupied territories. Thus, the story of the expansion of Serbia in the 45-year period under review can be told.
Very early Serbian military mail, used during the Serbo-Turkish War.
Has boxed marking "Vojena Posta” (Military Mail) with cancellation of FPO 4
dated 5 October (1876). Postage was uprated by 10 para because of foreign destination.
Military usage to Samara, Russia in this period is extraordinary. Note transit mark of Moscow
on 14 October and receiving mark applied in Samara on 23 October.
Due to the low level of literacy of the Serbian troops and a high rate of destruction of philatelic
material during subsequent wars, the availability of fieldpost cards and covers is necessarily
limited, especially from the earlier campaigns. Indeed, some can be considered as quite elusive.
As a result, the items shown in the exhibit have been gradually accumulated over several
decades, mostly one at a time and largely from sources in Europe. The condition of the material
shown is considered to be well above average for the subject being studied.
SERBO-TURKISH WAR
In mid-1876, Prince Milan of Serbia, desiring to support a Christian insurrection in Bosnia, declared war on the
Ottoman Empire. However, the Serbs were not up to the task, as the army was ill-prepared and the Turks won a
major battle at Aleksinac. Following a Russian ultimatum, the Turks granted an armistice to the Serbs. which was
followed by a peace agreement signed on 1 March 1877 confirming the status quo.
FPO 5
19 August 1876
FPO _
25 September 1876
Military mail from this campaign is seldom seen because of its short duration and the low literacy rate among the
troops. Internal mail was postage free as shown by the upper cover which is a request from the commander of the
Drinska unit to district authorities in Loznica for money to buy boots for the soldiers. Lower postal card shows
unusual usage to Moscow, requiring uprating to cover the 20 para international postage. It is of special interest as
the sender was the Commander of the Russian military observers serving with the Serbian forces.
SERBO-TURKISH WAR FPO 1
28 September 1876
FPO2
14 October 1876
: 4 Bn
vy i
Military mail from this conflict was free of postage and normally cancelled with postmarks reading "Vojena Posta
(Military Post)" and a number. Upper cover from FPO #1 was sent from the HQ of the Rudnik Brigade to the
Minister of Education & Ecclesiastical Affairs in Belgrade. Lower cover from FPO #2 is a private letter from a
soldier to his high school professor in Belgrade.
SERBO-TURKISH WAR FPO 8
14 September 1876
Krusevac
1 November 1876
&
GApeC CrUCHATH.
PUNT
HL
COTE
f hint
Postal cards with boxed "Military Mail" handstamps were given to the troops during the Serbo-Turkish War.
Upper card from FPO #8 is datelined Kulijou and sent to Belgrade. Lower card sent from Krusevac, where it was
postmarked in the civil post office. Transit time to Belgrade was four days in each instance.
RUSSO-TURKISH WAR
Following the Serbo-Turkish War, relations between Russia and the Turks continued to deteriorate and eventually
resulted in war being declared on 24 April 1877. The Serbs eventually joined in, although under the terms of their
previous peace agreement with he Turks, they remained aloof from the fighting until 15 December. Thus, their
forces played only a minor role in the war and received little reward, while Austria ended up in control of Bosnia-
Hercegovina and the Sandjak of Novi Bazar, and Bulgaria became an independent principality.
FPO 3
25 February 1877
FPO 8
16 December 1877
During the "twilight" period between the wars and after hostilities resumed, the Serbians used the same numbered
FPO markings as in the earlier conflict. Upper cover mailed from FPO #3 at Boljevac to Belgrade in February
1877. Lower example shows FPO #8 used at Lesnica (sent to Loznica) on the day after the war was resumed by
Serbia. Both of these markings are extremely elusive.
RUSSO-TURKISH WAR : FPO 4
10 October 1878
FPO 6
20 January 1878
Upper example used from FPO #4 at Leskovac to Belgrade, where it arrived four days later. Lower cover used
from FPO #6 at Kusic to Valjevo. Both of these markings are highly elusive.
RUSSO-TURKISH WAR Ub
15 November 1877
A money letter for 60 dinars sent to soldier Aksentija Stepanovica of the 1st Battery of the Morava Artillery at
Bavlacu near Raska. However, in spite of a considerable effort to find him, the letter had to be returned to the
sender. Note the forwarding cds of Raska dated 27 March (1878), a marking rarely seen from this period.
RUSSO-TURKISH WAR Vojena Posta
18 February 1878
22 June 1878
m 7, ANecseey,
One additional type of military marking was used during the Russo-Turkish War era, i.e. the rectangular box
inscribed "Military Mail" that was in service two years earlier.
Examples shown are folded letters: the upper item sent from Alexinac to Kragujevac was unfranked due to its
military origin. Lower item was franked with 20 paras in Prince Milan stamps and is written in Greek. It is a
commercial letter from the firm of Christodulo & Son and was subject to censorship, as attested by manuscript
"Vidio (seen)” and signature on reverse.
RUSSO-TURKISH WAR : K. Srb. Posta/Pirot
: 8 February 1878
Inspekcija Vojnih Posta
24 February 1878
Special military stationery was issued to provide free franking for the Serbian soldiers. Upper card mailed from
Pirot to Belgrade. Lower card has undated single-circle marking with coat of arms and inscription "Inspectorate
of Military Posts," introduced in early 1878. It was sent from Nish and backstamped at Belgrade on 26 February.
RUSSO-TURKISH WAR Vojna Posta/Vrh. Komande
26 February 1878
Vojna Posta/Shumadia Division
10 November 1878
Upper card shows an example of the circular postmark used at Headquarters. Lower card mailed by a member of
the Shumadia Division to an address in Nish in the liberated territory.
RUSSO-TURKISH WAR Petlavatz
, 17 September 1877
Mail From "Italian Legion" Volunteer
Serbian postal card with added 10 para franking for foreign destination. Boxed marking reads "Military Mail.”
The return address indicates extraordinary usage by Italian volunteer with the "Army of the Brzna, Italian Legion,
Belgrade" who was undoubtedly motivated by sympathy for the Christian Serbs against the Muslim Turks.
Message describes difficulties of the campaign and expresses hope for an end to the fighting in the near future. In
fact, the Treaty of San Stefano was not signed until 3 March 1878.
RUSSO-TURKISH WAR
Vojna Posta/Moravska Division
5 August 1878
Vojna Posta/Shumadia Division
1 November 1878
Vojna Posta/Timok Division
17 July 1878
#2]
EE
RARE
BOJHO CAOBPA’RAIHA KAPTA.
ie pees a en ; Chinen see
I I IO SN NR IAS SF SIDE OEE. INGO
BOJHO CAOBPAR AIHA KAPTA.
7
pas,
/) Ea
OY bs ~ AD Cy Ze g
cs ao :
SEEPS SB aces RNR REDE iE ie ieserEE ES
peo i
NG
if, &
\ nN 4... Zz , my 3
VM / f.
h ae fC HATTER LOL OL Lie rate
SISSIES ESECSISESISESRE SAS SEDESI SENSO SDE SRSECESE DN SINE SISEI SESS SEESS
NARADA AOA SOARS) SO Rhee
Ne
In three cases, the military postmarks were inscribed to show the specific unit to which it was assigned, as shown
above for the divisions.
RUSSO-TURKISH WAR : Vojena Posta/Prokuplje
: 8 August 1878
Military Mail to Foreign Destination
Although internal military mail was free of postage, this did not apply to items addressed to foreign countries.
Because of the destination in Mauer (near Vienna), Austria, a 20 para Prince Milan stamp was duly affixed to this
military letter card. Backstamped with transit markings of Military HQ and the civil P.O. in Belgrade, it was
received in Mauer on 24 September 1878.
RUSSO-TURKISH WAR Belgrade
14 November 1878
From the Royal Serbian War Ministry
Mt She Bes a Joe seo
pte OK fp ee | ie
ser Sif bp oo Vy eh
orler (210 pairs for 7 a
Official letter from the War Ministry in Belgrade involving the transfer of funds to the Serbian Agency in Vienna.
It weighed over 95 grams and contained a value of 72 francs or 1320 piasters. This cover has a docketing number
at the top left but no transit or receiving marks, indicating that it was sent by diplomatic pouch. On the reverse
are five wax seals of the Ministry of War. A most unusual piece of military mail related to the war just concluded.
RUSSO-TURKISH WAR Vojena Posta/Vrh. Komande
Mail To & From Annexed Territory 12 January 1879
Royal Serbian Post/Nish
22 September 1880
As a result of the successful intervention by Russia in the fighting against the Turks, Serbia was able to occupy
former Ottoman territory inhabited by ethnic Slavs. By the decisions taken at the Congress of Berlin, the Serbs
were allotted only the districts of Nish and Pirot. Upper cover was mailed from Valjevo to Nish and backstamped
for receipt at Serbian HQ as Nish did not receive a civil postmark until 1880. An example of this latter is shown
on the postal card below, which was sent from the British Consulate at Nish to Pancevo, Hungary.
RUSSO-TURKISH WAR Vojna Posta/Vrh. Komande
May 1879
July 1879
Mail from the British Military Mission
f f a
1. © ay *
AVY EMD LE
(
md
Aye 2 A dort.
Rich eee
Ue ha gee
2 had urfr_, :
ENGLAND
The outcome of the Congress of Berlin was very unsatisfactory from Serbia's point of view. Therefore, Prince
Milan felt that additional fighting in the Balkans was likely. (Indeed, the Serbs were to attack Bulgaria in 1885.)
Thus a program was undertaken to strengthen the army.
These covers mailed from a British Military Advisor to his wife in Scotland. Upper item is postmarked with a
"Military Post/Headquarters" cds and the lower has a boxed "Naplaceno (Paid)" marking believed to have
originated at Pirot. The latter has a Belgrade transit marking of 16 July 1879 on the reverse.
RUSSO-TURKISH WAR Royal Serbian Post/Pirot
24 March 1880
Not military use as such, this cover reflects the extension of the Serbian postal service to the newly-annexed
southern territory following the Russo-Turkish War. Sent from Pirot to Sarajevo, Bosnia, it is franked with Prince
Milan stamps -- a 10 para orange (fifth printing, perforated 12) plus a severed pair of the 40 para mauve (fourth
printing, perf. 9 1/2). The manuscript "3 dr" indicates double weight status. Accordingly, postage was 2 x 25
paras intemational letter rate plus 40 paras registration. Backstamped in transit at Zimony (Hungary) on 9 April
and for receipt at the Austrian military P.O. in Sarajevo on 14 April.
SERBO-BULGARIAN WAR
When a Christian uprising in Eastern Roumelia permitted Bulgaria to annex that territory, Milan (having elevated
himself to king in 1882) became very jealous about the expansion of his neighbor. He was nothing, if not
intemperate, and on 14 November 1885 launched an unprovoked attack on the Bulgarians. However, the latter
scored a decisive victory at Slivnitza on the 19th and subsequently advanced into Serbia near Pirot. On the 28th
the Austrian minister intervened and brought the hostilities to an end.
Bela Palanka
8 November 1885
NG OBY CUIpRUHU CUTABthe ce.camo agpnec.
Military mail from this short campaign is quite scarce. The above military postal card was especially timely,
being mailed prior to the outbreak of hostilities and arriving in Belgrade on the first day of the war.
SERBO-BULGARIAN WAR Belgrade
22 November 1885
28 November 1885
TL
TPP ATE TS eS ee re
rd
lt
=]
e i
5 E
bey zy
|
5 :
Q i
ey * al
5 ©) Uy. Ad Zz
iz 9 ©
5 ANG OBOy Caplan CUMLBARC CC COMO UY pec. a
(er LL AUAUA UU in UL Url
Uy Up UAuUAURLn
Se a ne en
B OJHUGKA AOMMCHA KAPTA :
aes AG
i
IAUALALAL
(URAL LAUR UU UA
a
Ni oBoy cCmpanu ciaBAahe 0 came agper
FLL OL LIP
ra
Upper card was mailed shortly before the end of hostilities and is datelined in manuscript on the reverse "22 XI.
1885 at the ferrying place." The blue cachet with the royal arms of Serbia in the center reads "Karta Vojno
Saobracajna (Military Communications Card)." The lower card was mailed on the date that the Austrian minister
arrived in Belgrade to negotiate an end to the fighting.
SERBO-BULGARIAN WAR
UAURURLAual |
ALLA UU
: :
QO BAN HMUKA JOMMCHA KAPTA
yy
a hig 8
tujiy u Udopepy
A ny Lae sh ==
Zoo Se EG
Murry AN oe
J.
TEIN In TMA
Ze }
f L : iE }
fd.
y
\ a
sities
FPO 3
6 December 1885
FPO 4
22 January 1886
a
FRU UR URLUAun ur
. s eh 8
ri 2. ee ea
: a
a
E es a
fer REE UU Eo UL
Although mailed shortly after the cessation of hostilities, these cards represent the discovery examples of the use
of the old numbered military postmarks (from the time of the Russo-Turkish War in 1877-78) in the most recent
conflict. Such usage is unrecorded by either Rasic or Glasewald. It is interesting that on the lower example, the
fieldpost mark, a Jagodina transit mark and the receiving mark in Belgrade are all dated on 22 January, suggesting
that this FPO was located within reasonable proximity to the capital.
SERBO-BULGARIAN WAR Nish
18 December 1885
Leskovac
16 February 1886
Ip
Ru
=
2
C7rcnarap tua \iaaigions Net ndptisorcuatuny
ALAA UU Linn nn
S49
5
€
x
ce
ip
NG OBO, CUPL AHI CHOBRURC CC camo agpec.
FEL LLL LI
oo
-\g
E
ELL
{
ids
ie}
ie
=
a
fe if oS
a te Cy
ddl ; 225 s 5 4
“| : ,
tN |
g eon WO SHMU RA ZOTMCHA KAPT
| 7
5 fy ef 7 e
: deven, aot - oe By doe &
“| r E co
os : = |
fui
“ye... OWTKH... a
Et “ £ &
q| NG OBGT Clip CULOB BERL CC CAMO ag prec. e
LLL
Also mailed after the cessation of hostilities, these cards are additional examples of the special military postal
cards supplied free to the troops. Rasic states that "Fieldpost correspondence of the Serbian army during this
short war is rare." He does not record such use from Leskovac.
FIRST BALKAN WAR
Observing the ease with which the Italians had seized Libya and the Dodecanese Islands, the smaller Balkan states
joined forces to settle their grievances with the Turks. Serbia declared war on the Ottoman Empire on 17 October
1912 and a week later won a decisive battle at Kumanovo, which opened the way for the occupation of Macedonia,
the Sandjak of Novi Bazar and Northem Albania. An armistice was signed on 3 December 1912.
ee
S Seah
——
Mypebupe2
UNION POSTALE UMVEADELLE
eto, eS
ER oancbagls
5
LSE UE
VEE A LA
CECE
at GeO MD
EEIEIS
YOUVE
KPAJbEBHHA
Very early use of a
standard Serbian
fieldpost card from CPBHJA
Vranya to Nish. : ZZ ee s
Unit marking of Soa Ppa n nob. ee Oop
Military Medical '
Warehouse.
i
BOJHWUKA@
~ JOMVCHA /HAPTA
VT porzp
ee LZ
29 October 1912
Vranya
24 October 1914
Early usage of a
Turkish postal card for
fieldpost service to
Knjazevac by a Serbian
soldier. Unit marking
of the 14th Regiment
meant that the card was
free of postage.
BALKAN WAR Kritchovo
Military Mail 25 October 1912
Pristina
14 October 1912
Union Postale UniverseHé wis
Turquie
LEFDIS ES
Carte Postale
N.B. Ce céte ci est réservé o ;
« ‘ x Soom ° . Sate "ee 4 e >
exclusivement & Vadresse Jidayh aVb gl Sea cto el hd See ps
afa ojo ofSlofslofe ofe)o5/Slafelofolofelas ofGlofcjgfe gfojo B_efalofolefelofslofelosfajofa
olLofojsyojafa
sisi : od wie
Some of the soldiers wanted to send messages home even before the fieldpost service was up and running. In
such cases, old Turkish postal cards were utilized with Ottoman postmarks as forerunners. The above examples
were So treated and not subjected to postage due even though no military markings were applied.
BALKAN WAR
Military Mail
‘ a
Th 4
HPAJbEBHHA Ih
: | BO rae 3
GHA
_, Galli, éditeur, Janvier 1908, 2me tirage.
KPAJbEBHHA
BOJHUYKA
AONUCHA HAPTA
Wy
: i . f
Can axpecy. & ee ee es ‘
* Ai et !
sae age Pa
NA Ea re at ae Pa inex ey
Mitrovitza
26 October 1912
Monastir
November 1912
Guevgelia
12 November 1912
4
In the early days of the war, mail was cancelled provisionally with old Turkish markings found in postal facilities
or railway stations. Above examples show such usage from Mitrovica, Bitolia and Djevdjelija, respectively.
BALKAN WAR TPO Pirot-Belgrade
Military Mail
29 January 1913
Prizren
17 February 1913
cpoxja Bots
Serbie Vy fi A :
JONMCHA BAPTA — CARTE POSTALE
CBETCKHM MOMTAHCKM CABES— UNON POSTALE UNIVERSELLE
A
Visname mmnxupe Pajxosuha m Ryxosuba, Beorpar
bee
t
4
f 7
ms
.
$ ty e se
£| P 8 a ee OMe LR hin. ae
‘Sa6pameno y@r bore sais,
888 70T
On occasion, when there was no fieldpost station nearby, military mail was postmarked enroute at a civil post
office or not at all. The upper example was not cancelled until it traveled on the TPO between Pirot and Belgrade
on its way to an addressee in the latter city. Lower card is datelined Prizren and sent to Kragujevac with no
military markings, but manuscript "Military Post" apparently sufficed.
BALKAN WAR Military Post/Headquarters
Military Mail 23 December 1912
i = — ae 26 December 1912
i 14 April 1913
3 — 3 2 P
as vj, CPBUJA
hz Serbie.
WOMMCHA KAPTA — KARTE POSTALE
_ CBETCKM MOLITAHCHH CABE3 — UNION POSTALE UNIVERSELLE
i Honane Kisuxape Pajrosuha u Byxosnha, Beorpan.
Dagens
Sa6paireno v6 I Hes
fi
Site)
ie 23 a 1912 4 é
Several new fieldpost markings were introduced during the campaign. Above examples show two types used at
General Headquarters, both with and without vertical lines around the date. Military mail was free of postage,
except that the 25 para UPU rate had to be paid on the cover to Switzerland. (Note purple cachet of the
Headquarters Staff and strikes of the old Turkish Mitrovitza-to-Uskub TPO marking.)
BALKAN WAR Military Post/Headquarters
Military Mail 26 February 1913
Fieldpost cover sent from Headquarters in the field to Belgrade. Note very elusive imprinted comercard of
"Headquarters - Quartermaster Corps."
BALKAN WAR Military Post/l Army
Military Mail 22 October 1912
3 Military Post/II Army
4 aa 14 November 1912
HPAJBEBHHA . - =
BOJHVYUKA, OR cau
bs \ Military Post/III Army
: 14 November 1912
JOMUCHA a
CPBHJA
Camo 3a ampecy.
Vozawe Pyca.n
amuimha, Beorpage «
Nags
sn ?
yar *
Ad
g NS)
Api
© Bos a? 1 HOF TTT IOn 6
ADPEL: UCAAO iz
}
Following the victory at Kumanovo, the First and Third Armies advanced easily. One moved south into
Macedonia, capturing Skoplje (Uskub) and Bitolj (Monastir), while the other crossed Albania to the Adriatic Sea.
The Second Army was detached to support the Bulgarians who were bogged down outside Odrin (Adrianople).
The three armies used newly-issued fieldpost markings inscribed "Military Post" and the army number. The
Second Army marking on postal card has additional Bulgarian franking in payment of the 10 para international
postcard rate. Message on the reverse of this card reads "Greetings from the battlefield of Jadrene."
BALKAN WAR Pristina
Military Mail 20 April 1913
Skopie
18 July 1913
Royal Serbian Railway Inspectorate
RPAJbEBHHA
releng ; ” ames CTARSH 4
IPHLUTHHK
CPBHJA
oo Seas Maaety ae as
Camo sa alpecy
KPAJbEBHHA
Camo 3a affhecys
These cards have the cachets of the Railway Inspectors Office, one used from the RR station in Pristina and the
other from the Headquarters in Skopie. Such usages are seldom seen.
BALKAN WAR Skoplje
Military Mail 27 April 1913
Prilip
23 November 1913
HPAIbEBHHA’
~ ¢. BOJHMUKA
AONUCHA
Camo 3a aupecy
Ayr hy, 2 ; ff 8
HPAJbEBHHAS °°
a
Camo 3a ampecy
Late usage of special fieldpost cards. No despatch postal markings applied but shows use of unit cachets to
justify free postage for soldiers.
BALKAN WAR TPO Pirot-Belgrade
Military Mail
Used From Hospital Train
oe PB ar eek aaa
Serbie.
a ee — CARTE P Qo —
2 LE 'ONIVEI
me baioke ae
Ue. Bea hl %
Lh ong Kiw j
Paoideh, ” Ay eee
ae fan ey
Vo oe Oi nusan
agrmage Pp
wn ME;
SaOpamexo yanoataparne (6 16200
bh dn:
Hisqame KeesExape Pa soe nu ‘Kykopnha, Beorpag.
This card has the cachet of the Hospital Train No. 3 and is postmarked on the TPO that ran between Pirot and
Belgrade. Such hospital usage is very unusual, not seen previously by exhibitor.
BALKAN WAR
Military Mail
KPAJBEBHHA
BOJHHYKA
Nee «© AOMMCHA H;
See a
CPBHJA
Jocervg
Camo 3a alpecy
38
“g
at
k re 4
Ba Tl
uy,
oe hp
om UO. Mapuly 4
‘ane ey
— aon
“Ceopag,
Alexandrovo
2 June 1913
Katchanik
8 March 1913
Kumanovo
9 February 1913
sds
: ae
om
7
Ww
y 2
‘ p=)
‘ yj
ro WT oy
wy
Ertan’
ns
icah td
wt
3a6 oO ym
Provisional postmarks used in the newly annexed territories during the period of the First and Second Balkan
Wars in 1913. Struck in violet and with indecipherable letters in the dark areas above and below the dates. The
marking of Alexandrovo is considered especially elusive, with only two examples recorded.
BALKAN WAR
Bitolj
Military Postmarks
29 March 1913
Debar
2 June 1913
Fo ee
Me. Fi PL OLE RECO
AU CONSULAT DE RUSSIE
&
MONASTIR
a ~. Ye A:
"POST Gy CARD.
"FOR Conierclentt
bab Ne Leena boaitc
es LL Ye fay
ee ee ced: sgh al
“aa
Behe C4 Ht
Pave fe
GQ
& ee fy ewes
- me 24, BN
Pe
MAL Le. 2
a
by, §
FOR-ADDRESS ONLY a
3 %. igonee
_ STAMP i
4
;
pees
eae if
L . fp F
ait Ne ot
_f
Once the fighting ended and the situation stabilized, new postmarks were issued in 26 towns in the territory
annexed to Serbia (all of which are represented in the exhibit, including the extremely elusive Katchanik). They
were bilingually inscribed (in Serbian and French) with the names and also had "Military Post" in Serbian inserted
around the date. These markings were used on both civil and military mail.
BALKAN WAR Djevdjelija
Military Postmarks 2 January 1913
Ferizovic
Z oy 4 June 1913
Reply nrrren toe le uh Yu y 4M ‘i |
Ryssnppeeny Leas.
u es eh
Wy ome: Vowel q
Hs Gecijacs We bs Yi Ih wy wo :
Biome) \
Covers with the "Military Post" markings from the smaller villages are exceedingly elusive for the most part.
BALKAN WAR Giljane
Military Postmarks 17 March 1913
Gostivar
29 April 1913
HPAJbEBHHA BOJHUUKA
Camo 3a agpecy.
CPBHJA.
Serbie.
AOMNCHA KAPTA — CARTE POSTALE,
Csercxu [lomrancra Cazes — Union Postale Universelle, £
Note that the cds for Gostivar differs from the standard military markings in that the date is enclosed in a "box"
and has no stars at the side.
BALKAN WAR Katchanik
Military Postmarks 1 June 1914
Scarcest of the Military Postmarks
CPBHJA.
Serbie.
AONMCHA KAPTA — CARTE POSTALE,
Cretcru Tomrauckeu Cases — Union Postale Universelfe.
| {*
« 9
4
Tazarwe Cotowona Reena, koa Hanoreona, Beorpat.
Katchanik is the most elusive of the 26 town postmarks introduced during the Balkan War, with fewer than five
examples having been reported. It is highly sought after by Serbian specialists.
BALKAN WAR Kichevo
Military Postmarks 19 December 1914
Kratovo
24 August 1915
i a,
ee = 3
oe ee Od
P yay & at & = fy
Spriibde Teok Cynerfg sone .
I ave-toi, ogar Q2usen, A Sone er e 3
Papell! | . x
oy
y & d
ar
ar hoy
i-kPr
py y ‘
x
&
: \ é, Se Co &
e e 5} S ern 2
MM, N aT of a 7 —
SU ¢Cjlode|
D. x Co. Prague. A We =
ox
2068
KPAJDEBHHA
MOMMCHA KAPTA
CPACKHX ce
Sot
\ K! 4 JO wb
. a A 1°r S
Hanare Hncnenumse flowra crnckux apminsa oe
In some towns, such as Kratovo, the Balkan War military cancels were never replaced with civil versions and
continued to be used until the retreat from Serbia in late 1915.
BALKAN WAR Kumanovo
Military Postmarks 26 June 1913
Mitrovica
4 May 1913
oo BOJHUYUKA
\MEy = IOMMCHA HAPTA
Lia he
D 5 eis e
Camo 3a alpecy. E : + g -
a — =
te é BOJHHUKA
hi AONMCHA HAPTA
CPBMJA
ed Coders ee Ay
aopudpepuechyp ttle 2, LL. ay Ses
Ce f
st Tasos,
elds. fe cp :
Mitrovica is in the area that is now Kosovo and was annexed to Serbia even though it was heavily populated by
ethnic Albanians. This was one of the unfortunate decisions to come out of the settlement at the end of the
Balkan Wars.
BALKAN WAR Nova Varos
Military Postmarks 7 November 1913
Ohrid
31 July 1913
# San ee o N
aidecaeys
jae tH ots “
VERS ne
Cawo 3a anpecy. akitabtr 4 Lo FR
Ohrid is a small town situated on the lake of the same name that was the subject of dispute over ownership
between Albania, Bulgaria and Serbia. (Today it is in the Republic of Macedonia.)
BALKAN WAR Prilip
Military Postmarks 8 July 1914
19 April 1914
CPBHJA
AOMNUCHA HAPTA
Camo 3a aapecy.
Note that the cds for Prilip -- a very elusive marking -- has a box around the area containing the date, and the
inscription "Military Post" is in white letters on a black background, the only such example among the military
cancels of this period.
BALKAN WAR Prizren
Military Mail 15 February 1913
Radoviste
25 July 1913
Examples of "Military Post" cancels for Prizren (in Kosovo) and for Radoviste are among the most elusive.
BALKAN WAR Skoplje
Military Postmarks 19 August 1913
Stip
3 January 1915
freareirioniral Ae |
——
BC
CPNCKA
PAth. MOWTA
The Skoplje cover from a British relief worker has a "Headquarters" military cds as well as the town marking.
Payment of the 25 para international letter rate was required.
BALKAN WAR Syenitza
Military Postmarks 5 September 1913
Tetovo
7 January 1913
: a3 97006 09 Krurcebo,
ar galas he BOJHHUKA
"AONUCHA HAPTA,
Camo 3a_anpecy.
Examples of registered mail from military post offices, as Syenitza above, must be considered very elusive.
BALKAN WAR Vucitrn
Military Postmarks 20 January 1914
Weles
22 May 1913
The fieldpost card from Weles to Zagreb (then in Hungary) was not entitled to the military free frank and was
assessed postage due of 10 filler by the Hungarians. Registered cover from Vucitrn is a very unusual usage.
BALKAN WAR TPO Monastir-Bitolj
Military Mail 25 December 1913
Greek Railway Post Office in Serbia
aves gue
Or 2790 Wy 4 hb
[insirwe SEBYE POSTALE
Picture postcard of Monastir in Serbian annexed area and sent to Belgrade. It was franked with Serbian postage,
but then postmarked with the extremely elusive Greek TPO cds, which was in use only from August to December
1913. Only two or three examples of this marking are recorded.
BALKAN WAR Salonica
Troops in Greece 28 November 1912
23 March 1913
Cys ; £ : , TURQUIE : are oe oe
Union Postale Universelle.
Carte Postale.
=:
Z
3B
ao funk
: HA
pore BOJHUYKA
OMVCHA HAPTA (eof (Li
Camo 3a ampecy.
Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia all felt that they had a claim to the city of Salonica. However, the Greek army
arrived first on 8 November 1912. The others did send troops and maintained their own postal facilities there
until the final boundaries were decided in favor of Greece.
Upper card with manuscript dateline "Soloun, 28/XI-912" is very unusual.
BALKAN WAR
| Troops in Greece
| "“Soloun/Serbian Post" ona telegram
pee ces
— = oe ss
Se “i
Ast
* wee Eat
—
Pa é
fa smn
4 ff J :
- “ 2 4
; Z A
Zo
_|_ CAYIKBEHM TOTAWH 10) Po Bh
a
| rani
4
Ommpasno:
| Bpeme oTnpaBhatha
iA
Tac
Hay) WO. WH. 38all
v
cr ae AP! V Pee ae
?
A oth At A
f
oe am wieten °
Salonica
20 November 1912
HTBP. 1—I1
ny
BALKAN WAR Djakovica
Troops in Montenegro 7 April 1913
Istok
3 October 1913
Plevlje
15 July 1913
Stamp cancelled with the postal money order cds
for Istok, of which only two examples recorded.
Fanbege b lijouan T4/3 ba
Cp6uja
Serbie
; KOWHCHA RAPTA — CARTE POSTALE
; Anata TOMITA
: fa A ree Mt
“emtgam Wot
é
WY
f Clap Ge |
PB Hi SG gr
BabpAmeno ymHowasane.
\
Sena
Serbian forces overran the area lying between their pre-1912 borders and those of Montenegro, including the
Sandjak of Novi Bazar. Military post offices offices were opened in five cities. In the subsequent territorial
settlement, Djakovica, Istok and Plevlje were assigned to Montenegro. Examples shown above of postmarks used
during the Serbian occupation period.
BALKAN WAR
Troops in Albania
Geb J poe pales 3) 9 Sigh edml ye
Sas IP V9ae
EENOAOXEION & EXTIATOPION
“TO SYNTAIMA,
NIKOAAOX I. POTIH
AYPPAXION
ROTEL & RESTAURANT
“CONSTITUTION,,
8 NICOLAS PIERRE ROZZI
f BURALZO
“h,
Card with cachet of the Royal
Serbian Port Command in
Durazzo delivered directly to and
postmarked on the Austrian
Lloyd S.S. Melpomene en route to
addressee in Norway.
HPAJbEBHHA
CPBHJA
C “ é is Toa vets aes
eee ie ee? wh
Camo 3a ampecy.
>
ea
nowt hon
Ih
NCAR
Drac
30 November 1912
7 January 1913
13 April 1913
A forerunner card mailed by a
Serbian soldier just after Durazzo
was occupied but before the Serbs
opened their own post office. It
was sent through the Austrian post
office abroad then in operation.
iO
Examples of Serbian postmarks
used in Albania are quite elusive.
This one was used at the military
post office in Drac (Durazzo).
BALKAN WAR
Troops in Albania
Conte Re
“CPBHJA — os
oF
"Camo 3a aypecy..
Postcard sent through the
Serbian post office in Lesh,
Albania during the period of
the temporary Serbian
occupation of this area.
BOJHMYUKA Daan
AONUCHA.HAPTA | me Sone 9-98)
Lesh
7 November 1912
10 April 1913
Forerunner card mailed by a
Serbian soldier after the capture
of Lesh (Alessio) but before the
Serbs opened their own post
office. It was delivered to the
Montenegrin authorities at Bar
(Antivari) for transmission to
the addressee in Krusevac.
Fewer than five examples of a
this marking are reported. denhec he Lie :
Choate on a b
x rtd Hace ve
t * Math, 2
a Mest Ld
Moria. Adi a OF
BALKAN WAR Kustendil
Troops in Bulgaria 21 January 1913
Example of a Serbian postal card used in Bulgaria by a member of the Serbian Second Army aiding the
Bulgarians during the First Balkan War. Serbian postage of 5 paras (domestic rate) was accepted by the
Bulgarian postal service.
BALKAN WAR Jedrene
Troops in Bulgaria 18 December 1912
Kadikej-Jedrene
11 February 1913
£
WASH KED-2EN
FEE
2
€
J
see
he,
gpd die
Upper card datelined at Jedrene before a postmark was available but canceled at Sofia four days later; the Serbian
postage of 10 para was accepted by the Bulgarians as paying the international postcard rate to Hungary. Lower
card shows the very elusive first Jedrene provisional cancel, a straight-line version introduced in early 1913. |
BALKAN WAR Jedrene-Kadikej
Troops in Bulgaria 16 February 1913
March 1913
oC
a Tlomencka kapta — Union postale universelle. © 8 4 3
: . ‘Mapra. + :
ae = a pa oe eH
Hsyzana Ms. ff. Bausjaposs-Cocbua
Verlag Jv. D. Bajdaroff-Sofia.
|
Gey
dts
n-o © -1943 7
CM Gp Ode many
Aye sf Puerta le
Bidies |
Kian teagan |
Aspect.
i
Y Llp. a “my,
oe =
During the short-lived occupation of Jedrene by the Serbian Army in February-March 1913, two other versions of
provisional postmarks were used. Upper outbound card shows a circular "Jedrene-Kadikej" while bottom
inbound card from Belgrade shows the circular wording reversed.
SECOND BALKAN WAR
When the Great Powers intervened to create an
independent Albania, Serbia wanted compensation from
Bulgaria's share of the conquered territory. The latter
objected and on 28 June 1913 attacked the Serbs in a
battle over the spoils of the First Balkan War.
However, with Greece, Romania and even Turkey
joining with Serbia, the fighting was quickly ended on ais
30 July, with the Bulgarians agreeing to give up large
chunks of Macedonia and Thrace.
Troops in Romania
[SE BOJHMUKA
ZOFIVICHA HAPTA
Ce
CPBHJA
*
Camo 3a aupecy
Caracal
29 July 1913
This Serbian fieldpost card was mailed in Romania by a Serb (assigned to help the Romanian forces against
Bulgaria during the Second Balkan War in July-August 1913) to his father back home in Serbia. Accepted as
postage free by the Romanians, it has both civil and military postmarks -- the latter of the Cavalry Division.
BALKAN WAR
Used in New Serbia
fo p eo up clout
Gostivar
5 March 1914
Kavadar
6 July 1914
ee oh
ee
cf aN
+ gr ig D\enurar
ure ee eh ii el etilon
WaPMHCKUX WekIapalwja
wre des déclarations en douane
) ONpemebera
de destination be :
iM 6po) Kyhe GAP F4Hin eg (t= £&
Rue et Ne ;
ih
Additional examples of new civil postmarks used in the annexed territory.
BALKAN WAR Kumanovo
Used in New Serbia 17 June 1913
Ochrid
1 July 1914
eS [=e LT am en SEES 257
Cy -Ipenwer
A-joint
, >poj WapwHCKux eKNapauyja |
Nombre des déclarations en dou
ee - _ 3pemHoct
Jaleur assurée
ilecro onpetemema ae eee
jeu de destination Port da
7auua “ 6poj Kyhe FB
Rue et Ne. ea en a
JROCTARAE (on to
| One a. ce Droit de factage
Texxuna iS lipabal, O1npaneaina. foe eo
Poids Go ge © Acheminement Dee 5
k Csera
ee | Total
Note use of Kumanovo money order cds on registered cover to Belgrade. The Ochrid cancel is used on a parcel
address card.
BALKAN WAR Prechevo
Used in New Serbia 31 May 1914
|
L
|
Postcard from Zombor, Hungary with three different postmarks from the newly-liberated territory. Addressed to
Kumanovo, it transited Skoplje (the largest place in the area), reached Kumanovo and was forwarded to Prechevo.
All of these towns are located within 25 miles, so that the markings are dated on three consecutive days.
BALKAN WAR Pristina
Used in New Serbia 24 October 1914
Prizren
13 November 1913
~
e os is lite
seers RAPTA,, POSTALE. Tle
a : .
TCKH ; Root i i C # pong. siege
¢ | vis
re te Db 5 | Wires eee se “~*~ ‘y ie
ps aoe
up
WY
t
“or fp-0 $
bbe
bo
7,
a
a:
we
ww
1
ae
meee
a
Be
Wey Oo
; ce
ire
<'
aed i ena, iileeas
OI, 70 Ways
fl
ey
f
i CU
Or Mea
br 7
WI VOW Ww
gw a od
q P BSS
Se.) 2
Se
a
fy
Ae
cy
ao,
Vorcyf’ UTA,
oe
Tony. ee Val
ats flooms Lamu
Uspane wmaxape Pajxosuha = Ayxonuha, Beorpan.
2 eae 2S : ad alae UE i 1
<= if 1
B-v1-1Q ae : |
Uae CU | 3
dabpaweHo yMHooKaBane.
Civil postmarks were also supplied to the two largest towns in Kosovo during this period.
BALKAN WAR
Used in New Serbia
Ca
BRI
POSTALE
POST CARD
CARTOLINA
KYTIOH
Mowe tpumanay,
oocehu.
Hanoc yuyinnuue y
uuoppama.
Mme, mpesume u cran
TOWMLaowa :
oe
os
o
ze
Hos
Oo#
a
ee
; AS
on
ae
BS
ie Bb
Caonmiere | wa Doeaao
ceTpani
(TI Ne 36-a)
oF os
AM
Radoviste
5 April 1914
Skoplje
22 January 1914
POSTKAF Kok
, Postale
oe
\leaibuss
TARJETA OS
Mecro onpenemerma:
: omy ey AS hy i WS 10 ty: =
; ho Pa. Z
: ae Natty F CopX, sean uka
te fo
=
& Sis i
Note the Skoplje postal money order cancel properly used on a money order form for 15 dinars.
BALKAN WAR Military Headquarters
Military Mail 12 December 1912
Russian Red Cross Hospital
He Men hare li
usta Weep , bee yen ee
u es kn MAY ygnet
| tees. Aw , HO hyutogu ed
eee ae ees um ol. 2c
Sees bay au pdine
capaho te Ane A0tSAAt PA
uk Le C Fey teut Ae
le oe tow rg pes pee
ML b
And f ey fees! oa
Although not an active participant in the fighting, Russia provided moral support and humanitarian assistance to
its Slavic brothers. This postcard has a red cachet inscribed "Base Hospital of the Mariinski Community of the
Russian Red Cross" and was sent to Kiev in Unsaine. One of two recorded examples of this marking.
WORLD WAR I
Following the assassination of the heir apparent to the Austro-Hungarian throne by a Serbian nationalist in
Sarajevo on 28 June 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia a month later. Enmeshed by the complicated system of
alliances that had been constructed in the previous decades, all of the major European powers and were drawn
into the conflict, which lasted for more than four years:
= Obrenovac
21 September 1914
Skopje
6 October 1914
Belgrade
27 October 1914
KPAJBEBMHA _
Vice “eaten a A Led 41
Camo 3a ampecy ae
7 i
After the Austrian attack, the Serbs reinstituted the field post service that they had used in the Balkan Wars,
including the use of special imprinted military postal cards.
WORLD WARI Nish
Military Mail 27 October 1914
Belgrade
16 September 1915
# t7/
KPAJbEBHHA
ys
J
se
Dey
CEPI
| JIOWMCHHUA CPIICKOT PAN
| ae
&.
h
i |
i om
.
Special free fieldpost cards were widely used by the soldiers, generally mailed at the nearest civilian post office.
WORLD WARI Military Posts/Combined Division
Military Mail 12 August 1914
Military Posts/Defense HQ/Belgrade
27 December 1914
6 February 1915
Ae bees BOJHUYKA
AONUCHA HART?
Fang
\ Fait Cy
&
Gis
Camo 3a aipecy.
is yy
é au
See
© Lik
S seh
eT
vis y
x N
aes
4 ie
COL
a y
sy vs
Oe eer rye Lien 96.
When war broke out, the Serbian postal service prepared a number of new postmarks for use on soldiers' mail. In
some cases, the names of army units were inscribed in the cds, generally those of divisions, but occasionally down
to brigades.
WORLD WARI Military Posts/Branic. Odreda
Military Mail ce 21 September 1914
Military Posts/Uzice Army
14 October 1915
Military Posts/Timok. Division
22 December 1914
Shaw ata | TO SSe ee > (0
Sw
% ie
4
Ue ws
oe
KYNOH CPBHJA [nenatnourall?
Wsnoc ynytanue y nu-
@pama
a. an HA HOWRAHCRA. YHVTRHIA
Kar nour Kox Koje je yuy™ . é aK og
Huma yinahena * a gee ae (TIN: 36—-6.)
Additional examples of military postmarks with the names of army units inscribed in the cds. Most of these are
scarce, some exceedingly so.
WORLD WARI
Military Mail
Postmarks of Morava and Danube Divisions, examples of which are quite elusive, particularly the latter, which is
a provisional marking.
/EPNGKA h
| PAC. MOWTA ea
Military Posts/Morav. Division
12 December 1914
26 April 1915
Danube Division
24 April 1915
WORLD WARI Military Posts/Drina Division
Military Mail 21 November 1915
hy oBUX LuUHUja
name
E.
eal
eM
fo x ; = 9
eS 5 M eae see 2 pee = ‘Cae ee ea a
Zt : ; ns ape : : |
3 Bee = .. * 6 |
Hi. %. " ie, pay Ct Ilormuc spannunnKa i
2 2 \
% ; gt ty
‘Kur nowte xox Koje je ynyt- : ie, - se eee re ( i
nia yniahenas 4 (FINS 36-6.) 1 j
Me ole
Postmark of Drina Division used on money order envelope in November 1915. This is a very late usage as all of
Serbia was evacuated by the end of November when the country was occupied by Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria.
WORLD WAR I
Military Mail
KY MOH
M3noc ynyTuune y WH-
d@pama
ae 022 :
L-1aSr
2
-_
fer
J
Tell leet oie je ynyt-
Pur vio
ana yudahena
Military Posts/Timok Division
9 April 1915
CPBUJA
Se no taral lt?
SBANEE
HG CyM) 00 ==
bo ge Ce eee f f
(A TOMITAHCKA YIYTHHIA
: oun. Ay apa y |
WM CJIOBHMA.
MA CE TIATH
ye
popeaion, Open
Ay
yar KE ey
Jig. xace Ne
- Tatrym
CAyHOeHA O3Ha4eba
Mecro mpena
2h lornue pee
At
ie Me Af hd
jen |
(TIM 36—6.)
a
Orpapa ce
CBUX HUA
Ce4veC bem USMERYV
Postmark of Timok Division used on money order envelope by a soldier sending 18.40 dinars to Krusevac.
WORLD WARI Military Posts/Limska Brigade
Military Mail June 1915
Military Posts/Uzice Brigade
1 September 1915
————— —— —————————
Bry -TOTBPBEHE MPHJEMA Bp. 1. |
4
Hanae cat uctipaBHo ipu.muo Houusoky nf as: ee. BD ooo! 4 2 |
g 01
1p. oe aN aon OU...
Examples of Lim Brigade postmark used on cover to Nish and Uzice Brigade cds on money order receipt for
remittance of 200 dinars.
WORLD WARI Kraljevo
Military Mail 13 May 1915
Novi Pazar
12 May 1915
A foc EPR n,
O7Ieg cotinine
Serbie ae A
K m
| 3 JOMWMCHA RAPTA — CARTE POSTALE
a eae CABE!
a =>
i Jazz foe
| ate
. a ¥ Szenco
bee re
2a 2e7 .
ee TOP o
2C® edger
:
a
dadpameHo Pajheais.
The Serbs had a brief respite in early 1915 as the Austrians prepared their forces for a second assault. This delay
didn't do much good for Serbia as the Allies were unable to provide assistance in men or munitions in the interim.
Above examples show military mail posted through the nearest civil post office,
WORLD WAR I
Chuprija
Russian Red Cross Mail
3 April 1915
Vinjci
ese : 4 ; nie: 14 July 1915
This card with Imperial
Russian cachet was
censored in Nish (as
indicated by three-line
purple handstamp) and
forwarded to addressee in
Reval, Estonia.
Serbie. g yh
Iuez. Nar. — Modéle A! pour les troupes en opérations.
Secteur Postal Weccecccecde
3
DQ
&
owe s =
oO : Ss 8 we
6 & cB °
aN z = :
a : 2 2 - ef a
my ia $ = 2g oe Lo ‘
= ee 2 { bf? AATIS
a Do -o.. 3 * zg
g § Fag s eS
S SS =a 7 7
=z 6 HES Lo 7
LEA EAA
PACER IAG EL EG
7
a
For the cavalry, a further type of designation was used, with "0" followed by a letter. Thus, Oa was for the 1st
Cavalry Regiment and 0b for the second.
WORLD WAR I FPO 414
Salonica Front 26 February 1919
Registered Mail
Because ordinary cards and letters from soldiers were free of postage, the new "two heads" stamps of Serbia
depicting King Peter and Prince Regent Alexander are not normally seen on military mail. However, in this
example sent to Switzerland, postage was required (10 para international postcard rate plus 25 para for
registration). Thus, a most unusual military usage.
WORLD WARI Salonica
Salonica Front 27 May 1916
Naval Mail
‘(Arts 483 de Tinstructon genérale.)
Only one Serbian gunboat escaped destruction by the Austrians in the early phase of the war, and a second was
purchased by the Government in Exile. These were the Solaire and the Zrak.
Captain Branko Zdelar was the second in command of the Serbian Navy at Salonica. Above cover sent by him to
his brother, whose office in Switzerland was tending to the welfare of Serbian POWs. Return address on reverse
reads "Marine Commando (Solaire) Salonica." This is the only recorded example of naval mai} from this period.
WORLD WARI Bitolj
Liberation of Bitolia 27 July 1917
28 October 1918
pee age - — 2 Stee RT ers .
% Ww .O2 F- 2 PEA & ata, % soe!
SN a OIDs Boog. 0B ,
sé a
x
Postale (Cerne?
| PT 1 45
a frdwia
: ee ei py Yorhod a
ie
ke a al a
:
dh
atl wanf
fay wmf
M,
Jy
Mad).
6
ie
te “we >
of aah,
g, ae awn wt
ort ed eB
4.
OY PAN DERI Oar
a
oh
2 ragh
Merry wy) |
jor,
la
soy
dy
“y
A]
y “irrete.
Ov nS
chyba - ugg dori bora £ecG
ee
a
4 —wrvergiy b ry hy oe
oe
Pb gh ae
| hy My .
The most notable success of the Serbian Army on the Salonica Front was the advance northward to Bitolia, which
was liberated on 19 November 1916 -- the only town recovered by the Serbs prior to the end of the war.
An old postmark from the Balkan War era inscribed "Bitolj/Military Post" was used during this period. Above
fieldpost cards show both outbound and inbound usages.
WORLD WARI Bitolj
Liberation of Bitolia 2 July 1917
Registered cover sent from Bitolia to Salonica where it was backstamped by the FPO 999 postmark. As Serbian
stamps were not available, French postage was used.
SERBIAN TROOPS ABROAD
Although the bulk of the Serbian troops that were evacuated from Albanian ports on Allied ships were sent to
Corfu, a substantial number went to Metropolitan France and French territories, including Corsica, Algeria and
Tunisia. Smaller groups went to Britain and Italy. At the same time, Serbs and other South Slavs that had been
members of the Austro-Hungarian forces and were captured on the Eastern Front were separated by the Russians
and recruited to fight against their former compatriots.
an _ “ Fontainebleau
F 15 November 1916
CORRESPONDANCE MILITAIRES ; ; “Wile fA : Rennes
—_——- Kige —s 1 October 1917
CARTE POS
Gxpédié par Nite Lt
fou, Ft
wae Ee SSCceRean8
woBataillon
[ _ Mwd-odoul anonton. sete.
Bier: volves. sevbes
Sz ~2
Eda - Sotonsane
ee ee an Caine Milo eet eon cone : a tee)
Ap
FRANCHISE POSTALE
REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE
CORRESPONDAN
MILITAIRE /.
Yrs Sib h
ressée
&
2 ) WY MA . Aa
erect re eles ee } ey F | :
eden. Frounce Li] = | q
DESIGNATIONS a M Stet OMAN
& porter dans l’adresse i ipl
Corps d’Armée — Régiment di l>NEEN Nur sy k ON ¢
ces
- Bataillon ou Escadron
Compagnie ou Batterie
Section
0.
Au besoin: c |
Eta aor — Gee general SECTEUR POSTAL Ne UW) NOL :
J
s = « T° Pour la DESTINATION, consulter l'affiche anposée dans les bureaux de poste et les mairies. @)
Avis essentiel 2° Les Cartes ne contenant que des nouvelles personnelles seront transmises RAPIDEMENT.-
Serbian soldiers in France often used French patriotic postcards for their correspondence with other Serbs, who
were mostly in Salonica on on Corfu. Postage was free for this service.
WORLD WARI Evian les Bains
Troops in France 16 August 1918
Le Havre
11 November 1917
eel 2 _Correspondagcé | os ‘
aes “aL tenes! CG: 4
R | Pa dbvun Cedvant torgend. naaJoe |
Z
x
Nom et Adresse de YExpdditeur
Iw IOy
2
Small numbers of Serb troops were scattered in various locations throughout France. In general, their mail can be
identified by the return address, Serbian writing, and addressees in Salonica (or on Corfu).
WORLD WARI Jausiers
Troops in France 2 April 1917
9 June 1917
a Melare - Alle :
aa Santee Vigclle
Tie
ae £. >:
Expédifear’ Qyauvert LIA adivk EE evyagq. dato -
G- - sate Yaurttid s
(Bere
©
Reproduction interdite
MAA
Imp REGIONALE 18 RUE ST JACQUES MARSEILLE
ies
DEPOSE
IMP. REGIONALE-le, RUE ST JACQUES -MARSE!
A number of younger Serbs were sent to the Military School in Jausiers. This "Serbian University Battalion" used
several different cachets on their mail, of which three are shown on the patriotic cards above.
WORLD WARI
Troops in France
< DES >
oF
ker ECOLE Xe
< SERBE
wh
z ‘
SAU SI ERS
e Ss
x
Jausiers
29 September 1916
This cover has a completely different, uncommon type of round cachet of the Serbian Military School in Jausiers.
WORLD WAR I Toulon
Troops in France 5 August 1917
24 January 1918
Letter and postcard
from the Serbian
Military Depot in
Toulon sent to
Switzerland and
Italy. Although this
is official mail, it is
unclear as to how
payment of postage
<— - N eh Rae was avoided since
= : addressed to foreign
i countries. These
cachets are very
elusive, being the
only examples seen
by exhibitor.
CARTE POSTALE
Bh Bags
Ce cété est exclusivement réservé a Vadresse. VE
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Toulon
WORLD WARI
Troops in France 24 February 1917
Vichy
30 May 1918
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In some cases, the examples shown may be the only ones seen from a particular French location in a large
collection of Serbian WWI military mail. This description applies to the card from Vichy showii above.
Ee
WORLD WARI Marseille
Troops in France : 4 January 1917
9 June 1917
Mail from Serbian functionaries in Marseille: The Delegate of the Serbian Ministry of War and the Serbian
Consulate General. The cover above is addressed to a Serbian soldier in the Alexandra Military Hospital in
Monte Carlo.
WORLD WARI Paris
Officials in France 31 October 1917
LEGATION ROYALE DE SERBIE EN FRANCE
f
COMMISSAIRE GENERAL DE SERBIE
POUR LES
REFUGIES SERBES EN FRANCE
PARIS. (XVID)
12, RUE LEONCE-REYNAUD
i ff
f
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The Royal Serbian Legation in Paris served as the headquarters of the Commissioner General for the Serb
Refugees in France. This cover sent within Paris has the corner card and cachet of the Commissioner. However,
the addressee had departed without providing a forwarding address, so the letter was retumed.
WORLD WARI Paris
Diplomatic Mail 6 October 1916
Geneva
LEGATION ROYALE DE SERBIE EN FRANGE mocpieciber 985
COMMISSAIRE GENERAL DU GOUVERNEMENT ROYAL.
POUR LES REFUGIES SERBES EN FRANCE
PARIS (xvit &
12, RUE LEONCE-REYNAUD
———_-+e.
Ministére de 1 ‘’Intéricur
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Be Ve
Ploece auVegu.
Ss ie
a tf ~
_CONSULAT GENERAL DE |
Gendve 11 me du Stand
es oe
Upper cover from the Commissioner General for Serbian refugees in the Serbian Legation in France during WWI.
Lower example of an imprinted envelope of the General Consulate of Serbia in Geneva modified by a rubber
stamp to reflect the change to the General Consulate of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
WORLD WARI Ajaccio
Troops on Corsica 1 April 1918
@ FRANCE « GRANDE-BRETAGNE « ITALIER % _ JARC a BE * MONTENEGRO
x ETATS-UNIS D’AMERIOQUB
CHINE
* MIGUYS % AISSOU * AINVINAOY * IVOOLNOd %
wmrvmeneye WVIS 3
l Y
yy Yj
ZI Z soitle dépét du corps®,
Zz soit la résidence™,
(2) Pour les militaires faisant partie des troupes en opérations.
(2) Pour les militaires au dépot ou ceux dont l’adresse n’est pas exactement connue.
(Une affiche apposée dans ies bureaux de poste indique les villes sicges de
deépét des corps de troupe des différentes armes. )
(3) Pourles ee Pyeipiacs! fe, hdpital, gardfdes, voles, etes)
Nom et adresse ( «& AX AYO EA PAU DL LOG ae
de (BXPEDITEUR: 2 Y (e,
@
i
i
F
ins
i>
is
g
| OG yewweewese BELGIQUE &
(Ba reen| Hane bbarechal OLn000
eS: : e Meee yo & A
Other Serbians went to the French Island of Corsica. Examples shown represent both outbound and inbound mail.
WORLD WARI Bouzareah
Troops in Algeria 18 March 1916
- Charles La pt ba bit Lote, ates gm
ie Cs
4
Zp A ~~
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wire > Loe Ge oS
EL ES Z
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cos
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20
ag.
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x
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=
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ay
x
=
3
Ex
As with other French territories, some of the evacuated Serbian soldiers were sent to Algeria, thus relieving
French garrison troops for service on the Western Front. Both outbound and inbound examples are shown.
WORLD WARI Mogrine
Troops in Tunisia 10 April 1916
Q Bizerte
21 September 1918
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CARTE oS
CORRESPONDANCE
243 -Lip1y1e.
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