The Allied Occupation of the Rhineland: 1918-1930 (Text)

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Introduction Text

Armed conflict of World War I ceased with an armistice between Germany and the Allies on 11 November 1918.

As part of that agreement, German Forces on the Western Front returned to Germany, east of the Rhine River, and Allied Forces subsequently occupied the area of the ‘Rhineland’ with bridgeheads at the cities of Mayence (Mainz), Coblenz & Cologne.

WATCH ON THE RHINE ... ALLIED OCCUPATION OF THE RHINELAND: 1918-1930

1020 3040 50 Mites Ligny-en-Barrois, —%xxx— Boundary af Zone of Advance fan Bridgehead 18 Mite Radius Se International Boundary SRE Neutral Zone 6 Mites Wide Armed conflict of World War | ceased with an armistice between Germany and the Allies on 11 November 1918. As part of that agreement, German Forces on the Western Front returned to Germany, east of the Rhine River, and Allied Forces subsequently occupied the area of the ‘Rhineland’ with bridgeheads at the cities of Mayence (Mainz), Coblenz & Cologne. Occupation of the Rhineland involved three phases or periods... lL American & Allied advance to the Rhine River .. 17 November to 14 December 1918; ll. Establishment of Allied bridgeheads, zones and bases of occupation .. 13-21 December 1918.. and military occupation prior to signing of the Peace Treaty of Versailles by Germany; lll. Occupation after signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919 and subsequent ‘Inter- Allied Commission of Control of the Rhineland’. EXHIBIT Commencing with the Armistice of 11 November 1918, this exhibit shows the evolution of the Allied Occupation of the Rhineland, German civilian, commercial & official censored mail during the period, Allied evacuation by 1930 and an epilogue, as closure. EXHIBIT OVERVIEW I. Map & Background Exhibit Overview IL. Armistice & Peace Conference Mail UW. American Forces Mail Advance to the Rhine Principal Bases Soldier & Officer Mail Censorship Military- Affiliated Civilian Mail Military Unit Mail Welfare Organizations IV. Allied Forces’ Mail Belgian British Canadian French New Zealand Vv. Inter-Allied Occupation & Control Commission Mail Aeronautical Control Disarmament High Commission Administration Railway Control Reparations Administration Censorship Vi. Civilian German, Commercial & Official Mail Restricted Mail Civilian & Commercial Censored Mail Mayoral, Government & Multiple Censorship Mail Bavarian Palatinate Mail Vil. Allied Evacuation of the Rhineland VIII. Epilogue TEXT COLOR-CODING BLACK: General historical, geographical & postal rate/route/marking information. BLUE: Chapter-Start-Page Heading & Important annotative information. Blue-matted examples indicate particular importance & scarcity. MAROON: Postal Rate Information GERMAN ARMISTICE COMMISSION Armistice Discussions By September 1918, German defenses on the Western Front had collapsed, whereupon THE GERMAN MILITARY REQUESTED ARMISTICE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE ALLIES ON 5 OCTOBER 1918, culminating in an armistice agreement to be signed on 11 November 1918. Geschartspapier Bimgchreibes ee aoe 11 MAY 1919 Registered correspondence cover, postmarked at the German Commission's Post Office at Spa, Belgium, sent to the Mayor's Office at Posen, Germany. Arrival Postmark: (Reverse) “Posen, 13 May 1919” 35 Pfennig.. 10 Pfg + 5 Pig War Tax = 15 Pfg.. Single-weight (20 grams) domestic letter-rate + 20 Pfg.. Registration fee One of less than five known registered business mail covers. ARMISTICE 11 November 1918 AT 11:00 HOURS ON 11 NOVEMBER 1918 AN ARMISTICE BETWEEN THE FORCES OF THE GERMAN EMPIRE AND THE ALLIES TOOK EFFECT RESULTING IN CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES OF WORLD WAR I. As a result of the armistice and subsequent required return of German soldiers to Germany east of the Rhine River, as part of that agreement, German ‘Fieldpost’ Mail was interrupted or had delayed delivery. 11 NOVEMBER 1918 German newspaper wrapper, postmarked at Berlin, sent to a driver with a military transportation column on the Western Front, returned to sender marked... “Lurick.. Beférderung eingesfellf” (Return to Sender .. Delivery Suspended”) Free-frank when mail endorsed “Feldpostbrief” GERMAN ARMISTICE COMMISSION Spa .. Belgium The ‘GERMAN ARMISTICE COMMISSION’ HEADQUARTERS WAS LOCATED in the former residence of Emperor Wilhelm II .. “Le Neubois”, located AT SPA, BELGIUM. Branch Offices of the Commission were located in the Cities of Disseldorf, Frankfurt/Main & Posen. Subsequent to agreement between Germany & the Allies concerning armistice, the former Emperor's residence was used for diplomatic conferences involving Peace Treaty, Reparations, etc. 9 JULY 1920 View-card of Kaiser Wilhelm’s former residence at Spa, Belgium, with Commemorative Postmark.. “Spa.. Diplomatic Conference” “ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT!” With the signing of the armistice, German soldiers soon commenced return to Germany in accordance with the terms of the agreement, most of whom were discharged from service. Postcards having the theme “PEACE” were available for sale, many of which were purchased and mailed by Allied Occupation Forces who moved into heretofore German tenitory. “Home Again!” “Hope..” GERMAN PEACE DELEGATION Post Office Mail A GERMAN PEACE DELEGATION OFFICE & POST OFFICE WERE ESTABLISHED AT VERSAILLES, FRANCE to negotiate a peace agreement. Aspecial postmark was applied between 16 May — 16 June 1919 “Deutsche Friedensdelegation” with all Delegation Mail being free-frank. Len, Ria OO seca Lave Pe eee “S92 pezesee 92; oO. a Kintera pif. CZ aan Markecrichezlate ¢ - Delegation mail was taken by courier to the Berlin Post Office “C2” for distribution through the Reichsposf. GERMAN PEACE DELEGATION THE GERMAN PEACE DELEGATION’S OPERATION CONTINUED WELL AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE ‘TREATY OF VERSAILLES’ ON 28 June 1919 in order to define and administer that agreement. Any mail from the Peace Delegation had to be applied with the delegation’s cachet mark in order for it to be valid for free-franking handling by the Reichspost or for delivery by the post office courier service. Courier Mail Delegation mail was taken by courier from Versailles to Berlin where it entered the Reichspost system for delivery or by the post office courier service located at the “Berlin W8&" Post Office. AMERICAN PEACE DELEGATION APO 975 .. Paris THE AMERICAN PEACE DELEGATION OFFICES WERE LOCATED AT PARIS, FRANCE, WITH ALL MAIL ROUTED THROUGH THE ‘AMERICAN EXPRESS SERVICE APO 975’. Official or related mail was free-frank while mail sent by civilians affiliated with the delegation required postage equivalent at the American domestic rate. AMERICAN COMMISSION PEACE DELEGATION TO NEGOTIATE ‘PEACE AFFILIATED CIVILIAN MAIL ee Mrs Charlton M Lewis Cover, military censored, postmarked at the “APO 975’ Post Office, sent to New Haven, Connecticut 425 St Ronan St New Haven, Conn U.S.A 3 Cents.. Domestic USA single-weight letter-rate {2 November 1917 — 30 June 1919) er Go - PEACE DELEGATION GPO. 10246. 4 FREE-FRANK MILITARY PERSONNEL MAIL 29 MARCH 1919 Cover, military-base censored, postmarked at ‘APO 975’, written by et a soldier 4 (military return address | “APO 702”) ofthe Peace Delegation Guard, sent to Audubon, lowa. PEACE TREATY OF VERSAILLES Postmarks of the Peace Conference Three amendments to the Armistice Agreement of 11 November 1918 were approved prior to signing of a peace treaty officially ending World War |. Negotiations between the Allies & the German Government took place at the Palace of Versailles, France. SIGNING OF A PEACE TREATY TOOK PLACE ON 28 JUNE 1919 in a railway car on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles with the official proclamation taking place in the “Hall of Mirrors” at the palace, where 48 years earlier King Wilhelm | of Prussia proclaimed the ‘Second German Empire’. Postmark: ea “Versailles .. : Ue Congres de la Paix” see ie ee (“Versailles .. Peace ‘ Congress”) 31 MAY 1919 Cover, postmarked at ; 2 the Versailles i ae wea a ; Peace Conference, eee ae Pe ata oe & : i j we senttoa GS ae Lay 7 BS Sat 10) eee oe freight forwarder at ee foe ee t é aE ee : pasa ts Paris. i : ar “BELLM 3 ganda ties A ee 's ne ty, Pont-neuy ita ee ¢ Z : = y LSA aN a “PARTS Postmark: “Versailles Chateau - Congres de la Paix” (‘Versailles Palace - Peace Conference”) 28 JUNE 1919 “Hall of Mirrors .. Vesailles Palace” Local printed-matter view-card mail, postmarked at ‘3 PM’ = 15 hrs, time of signing of the treaty. ; ‘94. Palais de VERSAILL. i: Of fut fondé MEmpire Allemand le 48 Janvier Tea allies y proctame! pur la Conference de Ta Palace of VFRSAILLES — Miror’s Galery - 245 ft. long 35 ft. wi There was founded the German Empire on the 18th January 1871. In 4919 the Ailies proclaim its fail by the Conférence of the Peace Advance to Germany APO 745 .. 5" Division (VI Corps) Postmark Usage: 26 November 1918-3 July 1919 SOON AFTER SIGNING THE ARMISTICE, AMERICAN & O1 COMMENCED MOVEMENT TO GERMANY TO TAKE UP THEIR RESPECTIV THE GERMAN RHINELAND. OS! The American 5" Division (6" Infantry), heretofore in France, took up its position at Esch, Luxembourg, near Trier, Germany, with its mission to control traffic circulation at the Luxembourg-German Border. 26 DECEMBER 1918 cae ss t Office 28 Dik Free-frank Li officer-censored 28 view-card, ee sent to 2s Fort Worth, Texas. (BS 7 APRIL 1919 Free-frank officer-censored cover, sentio New York City. AMERICAN FORCES Advance to Germany APO 750 .. 33rd Division (VI Corps) Postmark Usage: 30 November 1918 - 25 April 1919 The American 33rd Division (VI Corps) ... known as THE “PRAIRIE DIVISION” FROM ILLINOIS ... SPEARHEADED THE OCCUPATION OF LUXEMBOURG (20 November 1918) & SAARBURG, GERMANY (0n7 December 1918). 30 NOVEMBER 1918 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *750*”" Free-frank officer-censored cover, sent to Chicago, Illinois. 8 DECEMBER 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *750*” Free-frank officer-censored cover, sentto Harvard, Illinois. AMERICAN FORCES Advance to Germany APO 750 .. 33rd Division (VI Corps) Postmark Usage: 30 November 1918 - 25 April 1919 SOON AFTER ITS OCCUPATION OF SAARBURG, GERMANY, ON 7 DECEMBER 1918, THE “PRAIRIE DIVISION” WAS RECALLED TO LUXEMBOURG to participate in control of the Luxembourg-German Border, having its headquarters at Diekirch, Luxembourg, remaining there until its return to the United States in April 1919. 11 MARCH 1919 “U.S. Military Postal Express Service * No. 750” Free-frank military-censored ‘Knights of Columbus’ Cover, sentto Chicago, Illinois. AMERICAN FORCES Advance to Germany APO 777 .. 6th Division (IV Corps) Postmark Usage: 20 November 1918 - 28 May 1919 IN APRIL 1919, THE AMERICAN ‘6™ DIVISION’ (IV CORPS) MOVED INTO GERMANY AS PART OF THE ‘ARMY OF OCCUPATION’, STATIONED AT BAD BERTRICH between 28 April - 19 May 1919, whereupon it was redeployed to Brest, France, and returned to the United States. 17 APRIL 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *777*" Free-frank, officer-censored {(red-purple ink) cover, sent to Springfield, Illinois. AMERICAN FORCES Advance to Germany APO 951 .. VI Corps (Il Army) Postmark Usage: 20 May 1919 - 18 July 1919 “VI CORPS’ WAS STATIONED IN LUXEMBOURG & PORTIONS OF BELGIUM between 19 December 1918-11 April 1919, whereupon its units were transferred to ‘VII Corps’ in Germany or redeployed to the United States. ‘APO 951’ WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED AT LUXEMBOURG CITY. 19 JUNE 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *951*” Free-frank, officer-censored (black ink) cover, sent to Chicago, Illinois. AMERICAN FORCES Advance into Germany German Border Crossing: 1 December 1918 American and Allied Advance to the Rhine November 17 -December 14, 1918 PDP Ae ae 0.49 _40_ 50 Mites PuoLLanoli \ ctft ON 1 DECEMBER 1918 FORCES OF THE AMERICAN ‘THIRD ARMY’ CROSSED THE GERMAN BORDER advancing fo fulfill their initial missions of taking up their designated positions of occupation in the Rhineland. 12 FEBRUARY 1919 4 x ‘f A “Postal Express Service Ge APO 927” Free-frank, officer-censored (black-ink) cover, written by a member of the Pioneer Infantry of the “Army of Occupation”, sent to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. AMERICAN FORCES Advance to Germany .. Coblenz Bridgehead APO 927 .. Third Army Postmark Usage: 19 December 1918 - 2 July 1919 AMERICAN FORCES FIRST CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY (1918) BY 24 DECEMBER 1918, AMERICAN FORCES HAD ARRIVED AT THEIR DESIGNATED BASE LOCATIONS IN THE RHINELAND, leaving a six-mile neutral zone between the occupation zone and un-occupied Germany. 24 DECEMBER 1918 ENVIRONMENT “Dear Mother, T’was the night before Christmas, And all over camp, The rain fell in torrents, O’ Lord it was damp...” 24 DECEMBER 1918 PRIDE & HONOR “My dear Dad, Christmas Greetings from your son, now in a large city in Germany, now occupied by the U.S. Army of Occupation, fo which | belong and proud of the honor...” Reverse Advance to Germany .. Coblenz Bridgehead AMERICAN FORCES Third Army Headquarters EARLY OCCUPATION MILITARY LIFE To alleviate forces’ boredom & melancholy, ‘THIRD ARMY’ HEADQUARTERS PERMITTED EDUCATIONAL DAY-TRIPS to sightsee & visit other German cities in the American, British or French Occupation Zones. DUTY, BOREDOM, LIFE & LIBERTY... Reverse Be 2 * £ i =o | pio 7 fue he Me that comes with Libert Ye Pass No. ( )}. Date. re Date pp i 7 Has perm ion to leave Third apts Area to visit ee st Ma Purp, to via, a By Direction: ‘ Malin Craig, Brie Geni... G55. - Chief of Staff. and {O07 ti ONE-DAY MILITARY TRAVEL PASS Accu Chee. pare fem G2. of 7 6 MARCH 1919 ae Ah oe fF ‘Provost Marshall Third Army Headquarters’ A Wed, Yi a S/ validity hand-stamp on ee o ‘One-Day Travel Pass’ for two officers to travel #, from Coblenz (American Zone) to Cologne (British Zone). WW. of Reverse AMERICAN FORCES Civilian Permission to Travel “A.E.F. 3 Army Provost Marshal” Prior to signing the ‘Treaty of Versailles’, ‘AMERICAN-OCCUPIED RHINELAND’ WAS UNDER MARSHAL LAW REQUIRING CIVILANS TO APPLY FOR PERMISSION FROM THE CITY MAYOR & AMERICAN MILITARY PROVOST MARSHALL'S OFFICE TO TRAVEL to localities in non-occupied Germany 31 JANUARY 1919 “Third Army U.S. Provost Marshal Authorization” Travel document permitting a student living near Trier to travel ‘via Coblenz’ to Freiburg to continue his university studies. AMERICAN FORCES Advance to Germany Unit & Rear Base Censorship DURING THE ADVANCE TO GERMANY, MAIL CENSORSHIP BY A UNIT-OFFICER WAS REQUIRED WITH OCCASIONAL REAR BASE CENSORSHIP TAKING PLACE DURING THE EARLY PERIOD. Until the ‘Treaty of Versailles’ had been signed by German authorities (28 June 1919), all American soldier mail during the occupation period was to be censored by a unit-officer or by the rear-base postal unit. Kid. Ne hig Oh ae UNIT & A a g REAR-BASE DUAL v) p 4 Be CENSORSHIP 5 A { d NG 2 u L CARN E 16 DECEMBER 1918 ee ae “U.S. Army Post Office Uw ae MPES *746*" \ \ Yess ; ‘| > i Dee bAT AB, {3 Free-frank, \ } 4 officer & rear-base fe (CInternational’ Machine * RN Postmark) tA Ky \ censored view-card, si ¢ sent to Lanark, Illinois. Raine Nirberg 700 m mit Hotel zum Grafen von Hochstaden o Tel. 28 Bes.: WILH. FRINGS REAR-BASE SINGLE } eich: Besit d | Hote! zum oe bo Tel.27 CENSORSHIP | DL prtd eA Atbenegdy 17 JANUARY 1919 | os 7. 9 “U.S. Military Postal | af ae Dae Express Service * a No 746" of A301 SiMr-aloPg | Free-frank, oom yl rear-base-censored oe | ‘International’ Machine | | ; Postmark) view-card, sent to Green Bay, Wisconsin. AMERICAN FORCES Advance into Germany APO 710 .. 2nd Division (Ill Corps) Postmark Usage: 26 December 1918 - 13 July 1919 DURING NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1918, THE ‘2"° DIVISION’ ADVANCED INTO GERMANY FROM VIRTON, BELGIUM, AND ARLON & BROUCH, LUXEMBOURG. Between 7-13 December, it had reached its initial occupation locations near the City of Coblenz. 26 DECEMBER 1918 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *710*” (French-Manvufactured Hand-Stamp.. Earliest Known Usage Date in Germany) Free-frank officer-censored (red ink) Marine's Mail (8 Regiment), sent to Chicago, Illinois. S Ss a x aK. : an Tho \2 6371 > is: Ecaluovd se { 27 FEBRUARY 1919 “U.S. Military Postal Express Service No 7. (American-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank officer-censored {green ink) cover, sentto Portland, Oregon. AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Heddesdorf (..heim) APO 710 .. 2nd Division (Ill Corps) Postmark Usage: 26 December 1918 - 13 July 1919 THE ‘28° DIVISION’ OCCUPIED AREAS NEAR THE COBLENZ BRIDGEHEAD WITH HEADQUARTERS LOCATED AT HEDDESDORF (Heddesheim). Unit’s mission involved training and readiness to advance into Germany if the German Government's representatives did not sign the ‘Treaty of Versailles’. APO MAILTO AN AMERICAN CIVILIAN IN PARIS & RE-DIRECTED TO CANNES, FRANCE 9 FEBRUARY 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *710*” {French-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored mail (green ink), sent to Paris & re-directed to Cannes, France. MILITARY-AFFILIATED CIVILIAN MAIL POSTMARKED ‘APO 710’ 26 MAY 1919 “Third Army APO 710" (German-Manvfactured Hand-Stamp) Block of Twelve of ‘Washington’ One Cent Stamp used to frank military-affiliated civilian non-free-frank mail. AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Heddesdorf APO 710 .. 2nd Division (Ill Corps) Postmark Usage: 26 December 1918 - 13 July 1919 SOMETIME IN MARCH 1919, AMERICAN UNITS OF OCCUPATION RECEIVED GERMAN-MANUFACTURED POSTMARKING HAND-STAMPS INDICATING “THIRD ARMY”. 30 MARCH 1919 “Third Army APO 710” (German-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored mail (maroon ink), sent to Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. 2°¢ Division Insignia: ‘Indian with Headdress Within a Star’ embossed on reverse of ‘APO 710’ Cover 20 APRIL 1919 “Third Army APO 710” (German-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored mail {black ink) sent to Louisville, Ohio. AMERICAN FORCES Advance into Germany APO 715 .. 42nd Division (IV Corps) Postmark Usage: 10 December 1918 - 2 April 1919 THE 42° DIVISION ADVANCED INTO GERMANY FROM BELGIUM & LUXEMBOURG AND ESTABLISHED HEADQUARTERS AT AHRWEILER (Abr Valley) BY 14 DECEMBER 1918. Their mission was to train and to maintain a state of readiness until being re-deployed to the United States on 6 April 1919. 10 DECEMBER 1918 KR “U.S. Army Post Office | MPES *715*” | (French-Manufactured i Hand-Stamp.. 2 ia Earliest Known Usage Date | in Germany) | 2 | ly y Free-frank, |= officer-censored (red-purple ink) | Z view-card, eee AN sent to | Lancaster, Ohio. a ‘ ce ee f : | . Poskkarke , \ XY a od r- 12 DECEMBER 1918 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *715*” (French-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored (green ink) cover, sentto Davenport, lowa. VE 43621. — vepeihiare kunsronvexencien merge uavr2 au 8. oxmnssaor AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Ahrweiler APO 715 .. 42nd Division (IV Corps) Postmark Usage: 10 December 1918 - 2 April 1919 ye AVST bes | (= Sedans 4 i 2 0 = 20 FEBRUARY 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office | MPES *715*” | ruuog “ag :Buysa,! Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) view-card, sent to | Athens, Ohio. | 28 MARCH 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *715*” Free-frank, officer-censored ‘view-card, sent to Delaware, Ohio. Easter Greeting sists 2 APRIL 1919 : AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FOR ete : “U.S. Army Post ARMY OF OCCUPATION Office KNIGHTS OF COLUMBIL MPES *715*” | {latest known usage e date) f @ Z \ Free-frank, ie Coll officer-censored v (black ink) Knights of Columbus’ Easter Greetings Card, sent to Indianapolis, Indiana. Z Bay oO “8B. ACIC A <-7 = UYundG SON TF. : At: eee ee ae ase P77E\ AMERICAN FORCES Advance into Germany APO 729... 1st Division (Ill Corps) Postmark Usage: 7 December 1918 — 3 August 1919 THE ‘15' DIVISION’ AVANCED FROM AUDON-LE-TISCHE, FRANCE, & HESPERANCE, LUXEMBOURG, ARRIVING AT COBLENZ ON 12 DECEMBER 1918. Its initial mission was to occupy and secure the Coblenz Bridgehead as well as maintain readiness. 7 DECEMBER 1918 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *729*" (French-Manufactured Hand-Stamp.. Earliest Known Usage Date in Germany) Free-frank, officer-censored {red ink) cover, sent to Phenix, Rhode Island. Based on the Christmas Greetings Card of this cover, the ‘1% Division’ arrived at Berncastel, Germany on 7 December 1918. 14 DECEMBER 1918 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *729*” (French-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) cover, sentto Oakland, California. AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Montabaur APO 729 .. 1st Division (Ill Corps) Postmark Usage: 7 December 1918 - 3 August 1919 THE ‘15? DIVISION’ ESTABLISHED ITS HEADQUARTERS AT MONTABAUR. On 18 June 1919, the Division was ordered to prepare to advance into the German heartland in the event that German authorities would not sign the Treaty of Versailles. Upon signing on 28 June, the Division occupied ( by 19 July) the territory vacated by the American ‘2 Division’, having been deployed to the United States. 7 co | 12 MARCH 1919.. {The “8” of the"1918” year Pe slug was hand-altered fo a “9" for year date “19”) eee “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *729*” izes ae ald, akin The moaslle a B-/I- 19/46 Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) view-card, sent to Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Die Mosel. Maler Gy. Kunstverlag Ludwig Klement, Deutsche Burgen und Schlésser. & bomen: Ge es ) Grifinburg bei Trarbach, Mitte des 14, Jahrhunderts erbaut von der Grdfin Lau- retta v. Siarkenburg oder deren Sohn, Graf Johann Ill. 1743 von den Franzosen zerstort. Herrlicher Moselblick. No, 10. a Wee ice acai a lah Sac alle acai, 13 JULY 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *729*" Free-frank. uncensored view-card, (effective 2 July 1919 censorship of military mail ceased) sent to Ada, Michigan. AMERICAN FORCES Advance into Germany APO 734 .. 32nd Division (Ill Corps) Postmark Usage: 10 December 1918 - 10 April 1919 THE ‘32"° DIVISION’ ADVANCED INTO GERMANY AND SETTLED NEAR THE TOWNS OF reacting to American public pressure, the U.S. Military ordered a reduction of DIERDORF & RENGSDORF having as its mission to maintain readiness and guard the Coblenz Bridgehead. In anticipation of German signing of a peace treaty and occupation forces, resulting in the ‘32"4 Division’ being redeployed to the United States in April 1919. 10 DECEMBER 1918 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *734*” (French-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Earliest Known Usage Date in Germany Free-frank, officer-censored (green ink) ‘American Red Cross’ cover, sent to Lake Mills, Wisconsin. i an A 156978 16 DECEMBER 1918 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *734*”" (French-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) view-card, sent to Plymouth, Wisconsin. AMERICAN FORCES SOLDIER’S MAIL 18 JANUARY 1919 “U.S. Army | Post Office MPES *734*” (American- Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored {purple ink) view-card, sent to Wainola, Michigan. Advance into Germany APO 734 .. 32nd Division (Ill Corps) Postmark Usage: 10 December 1918 - 10 April 1919 neyer, Neuwied a. Rhein. Nouwieder Pustkartenverlag Ernst Gronemcyer, Neuwied am Hhein my OFFICER’S MAIL 28 FEBRUARY 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *734*”" (American-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-written & self-censored (black ink) view-card, sent to West Salem, Wisconsin. AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Rengsdorf APO 734 .. 32nd Division (Ill Corps) Postmark Usage: 10 December 1918 — 10 April 1919 SRT TET = E 7 (As, Kin - sgt. Soldiers Mail SOLDIER'S MAIL > —«-Btry. A, S2ord Fe A. ¥ American EB. Fe 31 MARCH 1919 “Third Army APO 734” (German-Manufactured } Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, i officer-censored a S$ neaees je BED ae Miss Agnes Murray, j \ ~ Parkers Landing, Pennae, cover, sent to G37 \ nae 84 Te Se Ae Parkers Landing, Pennsylvania. RF =e 5 J ey te tpt U7 ey BX 6 309 POA, herb. AfC PY OFFICER'S MAIL 4 APRIL 1919 “Third Army APO 734” (German-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank officer-written & self-censored cover {red-purple ink), sent to Cincinnati, Ohio. AMERICAN FORCES Advance into Germany APO 740 .. 3rd Division (IV Corps) Postmark Usage: 30 December 1918 - 23 July 1919 THE ‘3rd DIVISION’ ADVANCED FROM LUXEMBOURG AND ARRIVED AT THE GERMAN TOWN OF MAYEN IN MID-DECEMBER having as its mission to train & to maintain readiness. 30 DECEMBER 1918 “U.S. Army Postal Service No. 740” (French-Manufactured Hand-Stamp.. Earliest Known Usage Date in Germany) Free-frank, officer-censored {purple ink) view-card, sent to Manistee, Michigan. 7 JANUARY 1919 “U.S. Army Postal Service No. 740” (French-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank officer-censored (purple ink) *YMCA’ Cover, sent to Paxtang- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Andernach APO 740 .. 3rd Division (IV Corps) Postmark Usage: 30 December 1918 - 23 July 1919 Similar to the 2"4 & 4" Divisions between 19-27 June 1919, THE ‘3rd DIVISION’ WAS ORDERED TO PREPARE TO ADVANCE INTO GERMANY’S HEARTLAND IN THE EVENT GERMAN AUTHORITIES DID NOT SIGN THE PEACE TREATY AT VERSAILLES. Upon German signing on 28 June, the division stood down and was on 4 August 1919 redeployed to the United States. 29 MARCH 1919 “Third Army APO 740” (German-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) ‘YMCA’ Cover, sent to Canfield, Ohio. 29 APRIL 1919 “Third Army APO 740” (German-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) ‘YMCA’ Cover, sent to Spearfish, South Dakota. AMERICAN FORCES Advance into Germany APO 746 .. 4th Division (IV Corps) Postmark Usage: 1 December 1918 - 10 July 1919 THE ‘4th DIVISION’ ADVANCED FROM THE TOWNS OF BRIEY, HAYANCE & REMICH IN LUXEMBOURG INTO GERMANY AND SETTLED NEAR THE TOWNS OF COCHEM & ADENAU, having as its initial mission to train and to maintain readiness. 16 DECEMBER 1918 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *746*” (American- Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) view-card, sent to Thorntown, Indiana. 22 DECEMBER 1918 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *746*” (American- Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored (black ink) ‘YMCA’ Cover, sent to Minneapolis, Minnesota. AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Bad Bertrich APO 746 .. 4th Division (IV Corps) Postmark Usage: 1 December 1918 - 10 July 1919 Between 20 May - 5 June, the mission of the ‘4"" Division’ was to guard area THE ‘4th DIVISION’ WAS ORDERED TO PREPARE TO ADVANCE INTO GERMANY’S Upon German signing on 28 June, the division stood down and was on railheads & supply depots with subsequent similarity to the 24 & 3rd Divisions’ missions between 19-27 June 1919, HEARTLAND IN THE EVENT GERMAN AUTHORITIES DID NOT SIGN THE PEACE TREATY AT VERSAILLES. 15 July 1919 redeployed to the United States. 19 APRIL 1919 “Third Army APO 746” (German-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored (black ink) view-card, sent to Montclair, New Jersey. ae Ratgpr (thlon hit Ale Prat peal Oe Ala yf ae Truk lay Af Merits Malt, Corr hha. Five ie Zi og é 6 MAY 1919 “Third Army APO 746" (German- Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer- censored {purple ink) ‘YMCA’ Cover, sent to Fredonia, New York. AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Bad Bertrich APO 746 .. 4th Division (IV Corps) Postmark Usage: 1 December 1918 — 10 July 1919 During its occupation of the Rhineland, APO 746 APPLIED FIVE DIFFERENT POSTMARK STYLES or types: American, French and German manufactured. Es: AS. Grey: AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Neuwied APO 754 .. Headquarters Ill Corps Postmark Usage: 18 March - 9 July 1919 RED TO COMMENCE JULY-AUGUST 1919 TO 12 APRIL 1919 (German-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) view-card, sent to Brooklyn, New York, 9 JULY 1919 “Third Army | APO 754” _ (German-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, censor-free ‘YMCA’ Cover, sent to West Milton, Ohio. AMERICAN FORCES Advance into Germany APO 761 .. 89th Division (VII Corps) Postmark Usage: 17 December 1918 - 8 May 1919 THE ‘89" DIVISION’ ADVANCED INTO GERMANY FROM BELGIUM & LUXEMBOURG TO THE BORDER AT TRIER, LOCATION OF THE ‘AMERICAN THIRD ARMY ADVANCE HEADQUARTERS’. 19 DECEMBER 1918 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES 761” (American- manufactured Duplex Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored {purple ink) cover, sent to Farmington, Missouri. 20 JANUARY 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES 761” (American- manufactured Duplex Hand-Stamp) Enclosure: Acknowledgement of receipt with thanks for a gift parcel. Free-frank, officer-censored (red ink) cover, sent to Indianapolis, Indiana. AMERICAN FORCES APO 761.. Principal Base - Kyllburg 89th Division (VII Corps) Postmark Usage: 17 December 1918 - 8 May 1919 THE ‘89™ DIVISION’S’ INITIAL MISSION WAS TO TRAIN, TO MAINTAIN READINESS, TO GUARD THE FRONTIER & RAILWAY NETWORK UNTIL BEING REDEPLOYED WITH THE ENTIRE ‘VII CORPS’ IN MAY 1919 TO THE UNITED STATES. 29 MARCH 1919 “Third Army APO 761” (German-manufactured hand-stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) ‘Knights of Columbus’ Cover, sent to Wyaconda, Missouri. Cee ee a. Bm Cae oe Oe. ree levy begets W5.4 | 1 MAY 1919 “Third Army APO 761” (German- manufactured hand-stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) ‘YMCA' Cover (Sender: Military Police Battalion), sent to Lupton, Colorado. Dope Sheet of the First Battalion, 354 Ent, Army of Oceupation,A.K.E. Saivage — Some of the street car companies at home would pull that old stunt of turning green with envy if they could see the @umber of German children, men, women and U.S. soldiers that can be put into one little billet room. Wouldnt the parents be surprised 4f they knew you were usvally in the house and in bed by seven o'clock each evening. _ As one way to make the Kaiser pay we suggest a long walk with a full pack. Our idea of a useless calling is that of 2 real estate man in Liinebach—or in Hurope for that matter. - ‘The folks at home no doubt made gacrifices during the war but they have nothing on us who dwell in Pronsfeldand | Zidinebach when it comes to lightless nights. : Did you ever think that the time would come when you would go wild aver a half of a hali-pound box of hard gandy? : : At home money talks. In. Germony it also remarks, Cheer wp, this isn’t so bad What if you were trying to dig in in frozen ground right now? Did you know that, so far as is Known, this is the first regular publicat- fon of its kind to be put out by bers of the A.ELF. on German soil? Put Something in the Box In the K. of C. room there is a little box nailed upon the wall waiting to re- eeive good jokes for The First Call. If you know ore on some comrade . write it out and drop.it in the box, marking each contribution for the proper Company. The more stuff the better, so don’t hesi- shat to fill up the box. : | who are to go Leaves Leaves coming in winter may sound somewhat ee ut that, fortunately, is just what is happening in the area of the 354 Infantry, And believe the boys when they say these leaves are some re- lief (uo pun intended), for they are fur- nishing a change of scenery long oy at least to break the monotony of dwell- ing in a single village as a member of the Army of Occupation. : Each thirty-six hours forty men from the Regiment are to go to Treves. The quota for the Virst Battalion is twelve ‘men. The trip is to be made by ‘train and only men who show themselves _lisoldiers are to go. Billets will be furnish- ed through the Red Cross. With the exception of a few leaves granted at Cesse, France, tliis is the first time men of this Regiment have had a. chance to relax a bit from regular duties - or fighting since arriving in France. Short though the play tme is to be, it is something to be appreciated; something not to be lost by thoughtless acts of those rst. The Divisional Commander has ap-~ proved the passes to Treves with the following notation: : “Tt will be explained to all concern- ed that any failure to comply both in Jetter and spirit with established rules as to duct and appearance of men in Treves will inevitably result in withdrawal of further privileges to. make the trip.” From this it is readily seen that whether or not all the men of the Bat- talion eventually get to enjoy the trip is entirely dependent upon the conduct of each man in ‘Treves’ AMERICAN FORCES Advance into Germany APO 770 .. 90th Division (VII Corps) Postmark Usage: 26 December 1918 - 26 May 1919 THE ‘90th DIVISION’ ADVANCED INTO GERMANY AND WAS LOCATED NEAR THE CITY OF TRIER IN THE TOWNS OF BERNCASTEL, DAUN & WITTLICH, with its initial mission to guard the railway network. 1 FEBRUARY 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES *770*” (Duplex American- Manufactured Hand-Stamp with “770” in Obliterator) Free-frank, officer- censored (black ink) cover, sentto Chicago, Illinois. 27 FEBRUARY 1919 “U.S. Army Postal Service No 770” (Duplex American- _ Manufactured Hand-Stamp without “770" in Obliterator) Free-frank, officer- censored {purple ink) cover, sentto Portland, Oregon. AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Berncastel APO 770 .. 90th Division (VII Corps) Postmark Usage: 26 December 1918 — 26 May 1919 AS PART OF THE ‘VII CORPS’, THE ‘90th DIVISION’ WAS REDEPLOYED TO THE UNITED STATES IN MAY 1919. P27 Aes 8 fork Gage 245-007 16 APRIL 1919 Ge : s “Third Army i APO 770” j (Germman- Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored cover, sent to Wheeling, West Virginia. ETE IR GEL LOT OOOO ENVEL OO EL aNd PT KLED OER A €0. 0. 35977" INF Ho eee Ee, 9 MAY 1919 : “Third Army APO 770” (German-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored (blue ink) ‘YMCA’ Cover, ‘ sent to Rochester, Minnesota. AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Cochem APO 775 .. Headquarters IV Corps Postmark Usage: 8 February — 15 April 1919 THE DIVISONS OF ‘Ill CORPS’ ADVANCED INTO GERMANY THROUGH LUXEMBOURG ALONG WITH ‘Il CORPS’ ABREAST AND ESTABLISHED ITS HEADQUARTERS AT COCHEM, with its initial mission to supervise the training of troops. gs x Cot LM fobtson he pet DL’Drv, ARO. 7¥o, AEF 8 FEBRUARY 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office = MPES *775*" (Duplex American- Manufactured Hand-Stamp with “775” in Obliterator) Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) cover, sent to Ottawa, Kansas. sae - 21 MARCH 1919 “U.S. Army Postal Service No 775" (Duplex American- Manufactured Hand-Stamp with “775” ainz, 1015 gesch, EA a4h 4 ft is ‘ in Obliterator) Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) view-card, sent to Johnstown, New York. AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Wittlich APO 792 .. Headquarters VII Corps Postmark Usage: 24 December 1918 - 10 May 1919 THE DIVISONS OF ‘VII CORPS’ ADVANCED INTO GERMANY TO THE REAR OF THE ‘Ill & IV CORPS’ THROUGH LUXEMBOURG AND ESTABLISHED ITS HEADQUARTERS AT WITTLICH, with its initial mission to guard railroads, bridges, & ferries and exercise general control of the area of the Luxembourg-German frontier. On 11 May, the corps organization was discontinued with its headquarters and troops being transferred to other corps of the Third Army. 24 DECEMBER | Corp. Sed We eo? ey Pr 347, 1918 bere 2 o “U.S. Army ' : ¢ Post Office MPES *792*” (Duplex American- Manufactured Hand-Stamp with “792” in Obliterator) Earliest known usage date Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) cover, sent to San Francisco, California. 25 JANUARY 1919 “U.S. Army Postal Service No 792” (Duplex American- Manufactured Hand-Stamp with “792” in Obliterator) Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) view-card, sent to Johnstown, New York. AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Coblenz APO 927 .. Headquarters Third Army Postmark Usage: 19 December 1918 - 2 July 1919 UPON GERMAN SIGNING OF THE PEACE TREATY AT VERSAILLES ON 28 JUNE 1919, THE ‘THIRD ARMY’ DESIGNATION DISCONTINUED ON 2 JULY WITH ALL PERSONNEL & UNITS THEREAFTER DESIGNATED “AMERICAN FORCES IN GERMANY” 31 MAY1919 “Third Army APO 927” (German-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, officer-censored (black ink) cover, sent to Detroit, Michigan. 28 JUNE 1919 “Third Army APO 927” (German- Manvfactured Hand- Stamp) Date of Signing of the Peace Treaty of Versailles. Free-frank, Officer-censored (purple ink) ‘YMCA’ Cover, sent to Alliance, Ohio. AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Coblenz ‘Services of Supply’ Command APO 934 .. Headquarters Third Army Postmark Usage: 23 March - 11 August 1919 In anticipation of German signing of a peace treaty & reacting to American public pressure, the U.S. Military ordered a reduction of occupation forces commencing in May 1919. TO SUPPORT THE EVACUATION TO THE UNITED STATES OF SELECTED DIVISIONS, “SERVICES OF SUPPLY’ (SOS) COMMAND (Neufchateau /Vosges, France), TEMPORARILY ASSIGNED SPECIALIST OFFICERS & SUPPORT STAFF TO ‘THIRD ARMY GENERAL HEADQUARTERS’ AT COBLENZ TO COORDINATE THOSE EFFORTS. THEIR DEDICATED APO-NUMBER AT COBLENZ WAS ‘APO 934’. SOLDIER’S MAIL 7 MAY 1919 “Third Army APO 934” (German-Manvufactured Hand-Stamp) Earliest known Usage date. Free-frank officer-censored (purple ink) “¥MCA' Cover, sent to LeRoy, Illinois. OFFICER'S MAIL 8 JUNE 1919 “Third Army APO 934” (German-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Latest known usage date. Free-frank officer-censored (purple ink) French view-card, sent to 1we.ci ak exaniples known. Boston, Massachusetts. AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Coblenz “Silesian Brigade” APO 927A .. Headquarters Third Army “927-A" Indication on Mail: 10 April — 21 June 1920 For overseeing the plebiscites in Upper Silesia & other parts of Germany, mandated by the ‘Peace Treaty of Versailles’, American Forces in Germany (AFG) were temporarily increased with the 5! & 50" infantry Regiments from the United States in November 1919 for deployment to those areas. The United States Senate never ratified the ‘Peace Treaty of Versailles’, resulting in those units never being deployed to Silesia but remaining in the Andernach area, with later integration into the ‘2rd Brigade’ of the ‘AFG’. ALTHOUGH THE UNIT POSTAL ADDRESS FOR THE “SILESIAN BRIGADE” WAS “927-A”, HAVING NO DEDICATED POST OFFICE, MAIL WAS ROUTED OVER ‘APO 927’ IN COBLENZ. 10 APRIL 1920 “U.S. Army M.P.E.S. 927” “Enlist Today Germany Army of Occupation” (Universal Posimarking Machine Slogan Cancel) Earliest Known “APO 927A” Endorsement Free-frank ‘YMCA’ Cover, sent to Harriston, 21 JUNE 1920 “U.S. Army Post Office M.P.E.S. 927" Address Endorsement: “sth infantry, APO 927A" Latest known usage for “927-A” Unit mail. Free-frank cover, sent to Harriston, Virginia. AMERICAN FORCES “Silesian Brigade” 21 JUNE 1920 “U.S. Army Post Office M.P.E.S. 927” Address Marking: “51 Infantry, 24 Brigade, AF.G. APO 927A” Latest known usage’ for “927-A” Unit mail. Free-frank, cover, sent to Harriston, Virginia. Principal Base — Coblenz APO 927A .. Headquarters Third Army Address Markings: 10 April — 15 November 1920 “5th” g “50th” INFANTRY ADDRESS MARKINGS 15 NOVEMBER 1920 “U.S. Army M.P.E.S. 927” “Enlist Today Germany Army of Occupation” (Universal Postmarking Machine Slogan Cancel) Address Marking: “50" Infantry, 2"4 Brigade” Earliest Known “Enlist’..” Slogan Marking Use Free-frank, “AFG.” Cover, sentto Ann Arbor, Michigan. AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Coblenz ‘Machine Postmarks’ APO 927 .. Headquarters Third Army Type! Type I Markings: 25 January — 9 September 1920 A MODEL ‘D’ ‘UNIVERSAL’ POSTMARKING MACHINE, operating at the Central A.E.F. Post Office at Bourges, France, until 18 December 1919, WAS TRANSFERRED TO ‘APO 927’ AT COBLENZ IN EARLY 1920. Postmark Type I: 20mm dater dial & six wavy-line obliterator Sk =a “Sgt. M.-E. McCoy. : = Postal Express Service., Soldiers Mail, U. 8. Army, A.P.O.# 927. Amer, Forces In Germany. oes — | ws a aes “ey oot SOLDIER'S MAIL ee Se Se eee el 10 JUNE 1920 “U.S. Army Mr. Loyal J. Cooper, ME ESET ae # 16 Grand St., Free-frank cover, Z . Norwalk, Oonn, U.S.A. sent to ‘ : Norwalk, Connecticut OFFICER’S MAIL oO ee } 5 hp ee Ma27) Thee ta Tre 2 14 JUNE 1920 “U.S. Army M.P.E.S. 927” Free-frank, View-card, sent to Missoula, Montana. 5 ¢ 2 s AMERICAN FORCES Principal Base - Coblenz ‘Machine Postmarks’ APO 927 .. Headquarters Third Army Type Il Type Il Markings: 15 November 1920 — 26 April 1921 Postmark Type II: 20mm dater dial & slogan obliterator “Enlist Today Germany Army of Occupation”. ‘YMCA’ CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE MAIL 29 NOVEMBER 1920 “U.S. Army M.P.E.S 927” Postage-franked ‘YMCA’ view-card, sent to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Military service organization civilian employees were permitted to use the military post office but required to frank mail based on U.S. domestic rates. 1 Cent.. U.S. Domestic Postcard Rate (Valid between 1 July 1919 - 2 April 1925) ee UGK Ss POsRe _ Sree REED g a ee K CARTE /ROSTALE 3 ~ = j-3 PM ( — By Appointment 0 aa) / 3 = (is. 11) (Bar fappress € oh es \ 907 % z SAMERICAN A. P. 0. 927 2 COBLENZ - GERMANY FE = JIETTE” Postcard No. 1000 Ihe Hastings ey hnespe hea 7 g mn a, : fob OL. SIA = PF AM. Ke. 4:(20+92.9. SOLDIER’S MAIL.. aoe ASSIGNED TO pe ‘INTER-ALLIED GEAMANY i ARBY OF _— RHINELAND HIGH ie ate Py AD 4 327% ie OCEUPATION [fo ARRE) Let 5 : 26 JANUARY 1921 “U.S. Army ; 3 : M.P.E.S. 927” Free-frank, cover, sent to a Brantford, North Dakota. Principal Base - Coblenz AMERICAN FORCES ‘Machine Postmarks’ APO 927 .. Headquarters Third Army Type Ill Type Ill Markings: 30 April 1921 — 9 May 1922 Postmark Type Ill: 20mm dater dial & slogan obliterator “Address Mail Legibly and Correctly”. Cue 7). &, tae OFFICER’S MAIL. te s ADDRESS MAUL Io ‘AFG. th : - CS) LEGIBLY anole HEADQUARTERS’ a Zia = es ir ase Z : “ R C 5 JULY 1921 rd CY “U.S. Army M.P.E.S. 927” ) jj Vue. Y Free-frank, 2 4 cover, sent to /] i oa Easthampton, / l Massachusetts. coswcluele - & “ON OFFICER’S MAIL ‘AF.G.’ ARMY-AIR SERVICE 20 DECEMBER 1921 “U.S. Army M.P.E.S 927” Free-frank, cover, sent to Easton, Maryland. AMERICAN FORCES ‘Machine Postmarks’ Type Ill Principal Base - Coblenz APO 927 .. Headquarters Third Army Type Ill Markings: 30 April 1921 — 9 May 1922 Postmark Type III: 20mm dater dial & slogan obliterator “Address Mail Legibly and Correcifly”. American Forces in Germany Christmas 1921 CHRISTMAS GREETINGS MAIL FROM THE ‘MOTOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICE’ OF THE AMERICAN FORCES GERMANY 8 DECEMBER 1921 “U.S. Army M.P.E.S. 927” Free-frank, cover, sentio Cortland, Ohio. Mlerry Chris hua aid a Happy New Venar C7. WHioiat © Cf atecoe Reverse AMERICAN FORCES Services of Supply - Antwerp U.S. Naval Supply Port Postal Express Service A.P.O. 944 Usage: 13 May 1919- June 1920 ON 8 APRIL 1919, A BASE WAS ESTABLISHED AT ANTWERP, BELGIUM, THROUGH WHICH ALL SUPPLIES FOR THE ‘AMERICAN FORCES IN GERMANY’ WERE NOW BEING ROUTED, having ‘APO 944’ with mail prior to 2 July 1919 censored by the U.S. Naval Port Office. U.S. NAVAL CENSORED MAIL 13. MAY 1919 5 “Postal Express Service No. 944" (American- Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, naval-port- censored (black ink) ‘YMCA’ Cover, sentto Lemon Grove, California. Only known ‘APO 944’ U.S. Naval Port- POSTAGE DUE MAIL censored cover. 6 OCTOBER 1919 “Postal Express Service No. 944” (American-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Free-frank, postage-due, un-censored view-card, sent to Springfield, Ohio. i Since this mail had been routed ;_ to the United States through the Belgian Post Office, free- franking was not valid but GW. ° postage due was applicable. En. Thill, Bi STAV Sergt Postage Due: : 4 Cents.. } 2 Cents .. UPU International 5 Postcard-Rate + ——— - : 2 Cents Penalty AMERICAN FORCES Services of Supply - Antwerp U.S. Naval Supply Port “Third Army A.P.O. 944” American Supply Port at Antwerp, Belgium, discontinued operation in June 1922. Its postmark “Third Army A.P.O. 944” is known to have been used only between 13 June 1920 - 25 December 1921, with LATE-DATE MAIL ROUTED THROUGH THE BELGIAN POST OFFICE. ‘ARMY ) te cd re NURSE CORP’ ; MAIL ie to. 22 NOVEMBER Sahin. “Ned, 1920 ie Ee S “Third Army Ne APO. 944” (German- “| A \ * er Manufactured Ane Ms Oo ae Hand-Stamp) A 3 Free-frank a ‘ a —— eke eee DA OCG a, Ov Sst visiting-nurse’s mail, sent to : Albany, tiie te Nes oe New York. LATE DATE MAIL 25 DECEMBER 1921 “Third Army A.P.O. 944” (German-Manufactured Hand-Stamp) Belgian-franked soldier's cover, postmarked at ‘A.P.O. 944’, sentto Hoboken, New Jersey. Mrs. lily Simon. 128 River Street. Postage Due: 50 Centime. Hoboken. N.d. | _UPU Single-Weight international Letter-Rate. One of two known Belgian- Franked Covers. AMERICAN FORCES Military Censorship Soldiers’ Mail & Auxiliary Markings Censorship Period: 1 December 1918 - 2 July 1919 AS LONG AS A PEACE TREATY HAD NOT BEEN SIGNED BY THE GERMAN AUTHORITIES, TERMS OF THE ARMISTICE WERE STILL VALID, AND ALL MILITARY MAIL REQUIRED THE SENDER’S NAME, UNIT & RANK FOR CENSORING BY AN OFFICER OFTEN USING AUXILLIARY HANDSTAMPS. F Loa: 10 APRIL 1919 V7, : “Third Army if APO 927” evo Free-frank, : officer-censored } (purple ink) Ap af bya g il “Captain, i Sanifary Corps” pr Qtlhn dfane~ ee 4h /y [Bo bs \ . 20 JANUARY 1919 ef hina lh» ohn Ld, SAL om | “y.S. Army Post Office ; J MPES 746” | Cy) a Free-frank O ee a officer-censored (black ink) by a ' “2nd lieutenant ERE AOE foe, nase LA BiB A SMA U.S. Army” = | fat. Oe AY, CG Ft atl, | fs ff fp, poll . x a |e ge ta. $ a ret Prorser bof, Aims . Prtes 23 MAY 1919 “Third Army : 3 ve. A Celt, / "Ae ) APO 927" Free-frank, 4 2 £ WF T the ss bbn officer-censored le j i (purple ink) Fd bh f. bya Se : t. hi ste b, “Captain pt Pe, LIA, C1.4.a, U.S.Army, A.E.F.” AMERICAN FORCES 11 JANUARY 1919 “Postal Express Service No. 927” Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) bya lieutenant in the “Air Service”, sent to Scotia, New York. Military Censorship Officers’ Mail Censorship Period: 1 December 1918 — 2 July 1919 [ _ ‘OFFICERS’ MAIL WAS SELF-CENSORED. | DAG LPETCI EGS. Fi re MER PU ELE Wh) as SIRT SHEN aE Sof 0 SIME S Se See 7 Wéuw kore LS. Col Rebert Davis R4ist FA. The Unien Bank Note Co Kansas City Me. vr Lee Crabbs 26: ored . : a Celonel FA USA. Monee as Deel 30 APRIL 1919 j “Third Army USA APO 761” Free-frank, officer-censored (red-purple ink) by a colonel in the “3415 Field Artillery”, : sent to = Kansas City, Missouri. AMERICAN FORCES Military Censorship Honor Envelopes Censorship Period: 1 December 1918 - 2 July 1919 “BLUE HONOR ENVELOPES” (USED BY SOLDIERS FOR FORWARDING PERSONAL OR FAMILY MAIL WITHOUT HAVING SUCH BEING READ BY OFFICERS KNOWN TO THEM) WERE AVAILABLE TO A.E.F. MEMBERS IN FRANCE AND COULD LATER BE USED BY FORCES IN GERMANY. Such envelopes were not subject to unit censorship, but subject to possible rear-base censorship. Similar ‘Green Honor Envelopes’ were used by the British Expeditionary Forces Se AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES : SS LETTER Blue Envelope Authorized by — Paragraph 10, G. 0. No. 13 — Must not be used for money or valu- ables. Cannot be registered. Not to be censored regimentally but liable to censorship at the Base. Sida ly be sent in this envelope. } uld-be addressed, ‘Base Censor.” 2 I certify that the enclosed letter or letters refer to persohal.or family mat- ters only, and-that’ they contain no reference to military.or ‘other matters forbidden & ensorship. sc Vas Af g IN Ge Bil Y 4 JANUARY 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office MPES 7—” Free-frank, rear-base-censored ‘Honor Envelope’ {rec sent to Puyallup, Washington AMERICAN FORCES Repeal of Military Censorship Officers’ Mail Effective: 2 July 1919 Upon German signing of the ‘Peace Treaty at Versailles’ on 28 June, the designations ‘Third Army’ & “Army of Occupation” were renamed .. “American Forces in Germany”, ALONG WITH REPEAL OF CENSORSHIP FOR ALL SOLDIERS’ & OFFICERS’ MAIL. American Censorship of German civilian and commercial mail continued until 10 January 1920, when the ‘Treaty of Versailles’ took effect. MARINE’S MAIL T1 JULY 1919 “Third Army APO 710” Free-frank, un-censored ‘Knights of Columbus’ Cover, sentto Stulville, Missouri. OFFICER’S MAIL 5 AUGUST 1919 “Third Army APO 927” Free-frank, un-censored ‘YMCA’ Cover, sent to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. AMERICAN FORCES Military Unit Insignia APO 710.. U.S. Marines THE ‘4™ MARINE BRIGADE’ (2° DIVISION, Ill CORPS ... APO 710) WAS THE ONLY UNIT WHICH PRINTED THEIR OWN INSIGNIA LABELS .. ‘INDIAN WITH HEADDRESS’ IN A CIRCLE, applied to out-going marines’ mail. The unit was a unit of the ‘Army of Occupation’... after 2 July, ‘American Forces in Germany’ until re-deployment to Quantico, Virginia, on 8 August 1919, its permanent Marine Base established in 1918. 2 APRIL 1919 “Third Army APO 710” Free-frank, officer-censored (blue ink), cover, sent to La Grande, Oregon. F Di wishes Sea a7 _ » wae Je IVa? ee, 26 E nn, AEF ADGIG Ww 2 mp 3 MAY 1919 “Third Army APO 710” Free-frank, officer-censored view-card, sent to Shelbyville, Illinois. AMERICAN FORCES Military Unit Insignia APO 740 .. 4" Infantry THE ‘4™ INFANTRY BRIGADE’ (3®° DIVISION, Ill CORPS ... APO 740) HAD LOCALLY-PRINTED ATTRACTIVE STATIONERY. Between 5-31 August 1919, the unit was redeployed to the United States & demobilized. J A™. INF, 3°" DIV, @ V4, ARMY OF OCCUPATION Ss 2 eg Fr LFA Ke a i cee. oe aL. Fe ~ t-<3e Co + S : Zz. at a er ae SOW tl 22 MAY 1919 “Third Army APO 740” Free-frank officer-censored (purple ink) decorative cover & stationery. sent to Audubon, lowa. AMERICAN FORCES Military Unit Insignia APO 761 .. 341° Field Artillery APO 927 .. 164th Field Artillery APO 927.. 164! FIELD ARTILLERY (Grenzhausen) 6 APRIL 1919 “Third Army A.P.O. 927” Free-frank officer-censored (black ink) cover, re-directed to Prescott, Washington. APO 761.. 314th FIELD ARTILLERY OFFICER'S MAIL 16 MARCH 1919 “Third Army A.P.O. 761" Free-frank officer self-censored (blue-green ink) cover, sent to New York City. AMERICAN FORCES Welfare Organizations Masonic Club TO SUPPORT AMERICAN FORCES, A NUMBER OF WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS, STAFFED BY CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES, ESTABLISHED BRANCHES IN FRANCE & GERMANY DURING WORLD WAR I offering the troops writing stationery, use of library facilities, & THE OCCUPATION PERIORD, and other conveniences gratis. Capt» AE .funcan. A Hq.6th.Brig, 3rd. MASONIC CLUB U,S.Arz aN ABO. TO NCE.F., A. 0.0 Miss» Helen li Ripley North Chelmsford, -lass- UW, 8.45 ‘MASONIC CLUB’ OF APO 740 (3 Division Headquarters) AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ARMY OF OCCUPATION 4 JULY 1919 “Third Army APO 740" Free-frank officer's self-censored (red-purple ink) cover, sent to North Chelmsford, Massachusetts. AMERICAN FORCES Welfare Organizations Knights of Columbus In addition to the gratis conveniences offered by welfare organizations, THE ‘KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS’ FURNISHED SOLDIERS WITH HOLIDAY GREETING CARDS FOR MAILING HOME ALONG WITH AN ‘OFFICERS CLUB’ for commissioned officers. ‘KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS’ CHRISTMAS 1918 GREETINGS CARD 29 DECEMBER 1918 ~ On AcTIVE Suey esomewhere i “Army Post Office MPES 746” Despite the card’s indication “Somewhere in France”, card written & sent through ‘APO 746’ in Germany. Text: “Bingen on the Rhine” ce a Free-frank, ae k rear-base ue eu : : is : fa censored, postcard sent to Oakland, California. ‘OFFICER’S CLUB’ .. ‘KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS’ STATIONERY 22 MAY 1919 “Third Army APO 740” Free-frank officer’s self-censored {purple ink) cover, sent to Albany, New York. AMERICAN FORCES Welfare Organizations Knights of Columbus ‘KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS’ ‘EASTER GREETINGS’ CARDS FOR SOLDIERS 28 MARCH 1919 “Third Army APO 746” Free-frank, officer-censored (red-purple ink) postcard, sentto Clearfield County, | Pennsylvania ARMY OF OCCUPATION: i : ; | aCe Sd | KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, ¢ go 29 MARCH 1919 Dy RK ? SL LO ? . Zh, P Pwr | “Third Army | - Soe APO 930” e i Free-frank j srt ' officer-censored Ae | (purple ink) & postcard. ; a | sent to Erie, Pennsylvania. g 5 3 = e e a AMERICAN FORCES Welfare Organizations Knights of Columbus ‘KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS’ ‘ARMY OF OCCUPATION’ STATIONERY 15 MARCH 1919 “Third Army APO 927” “Evacuation Hospital No. 22” (Coblenz) Free-frank, officer- censored (purple ink) cover, sent to East Liverpool, Ohio. 14 JUNE 1919 “Third Army APO 930” “39 Pioneer Infantry” (Trier) Free-frank officer-censored (purple ink) cover, sent to Schenectady, New York. AMERICAN FORCES Welfare Organizations American Red Cross ‘AMERICAN RED CROSS’ ‘AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE’ STATIONERY OFFICERS MAIL 6 APRIL 1919 “Third Army NAM : APO 927” (2H Beppo OPE “12! Aero Amer. £Fi Squadron” ; eS eee QE RM AY Fr Free-frank, officer f self-censored 7 (black ink) Cover, sent to Scotia, New York. 10 MAY 1919 “Third Army APO 930” “115" Engineers” Free-frank, officer self-censored (black ink), Cover, sent to Santa Monica, California. AMERICAN FORCES Welfare Organizations The Salvation Army — 10 JANUARY 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office M.P.E.S. 729” Free-frank, officer -censored {red-purple ink) cover, sent to Bayme City, Michigan. 15 FEBRUARY 1921 “U.S. Army M.P.E.S. 927” “Enlist Today .. Germany .. Army of Occupation” Free-frank uncensored cover, sent to Boston, Massachusetts. 21 MARCH 1919 “Third Army APO 740” Free-frank officer self-censored (purple ink) cover, sent to Anderson, Indiana. AMERICAN FORCES Welfare Organizations American YMCA ‘CHRISTMAS CARDS’ .. AMERICAN FORCES’ FIRST CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY 1918 fsa arr = er + | Pvt.Weldo E.Mayer, © _ APO#O27. AEF. ‘Soldier's 22 DECEMBER 1918 “Postal Express Service No 927” Mrs. Leo I. Mayer, | 360 W. 29th Place, = Chicago, Bi. = CERRY Gx | RISTAAS Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) view-card, sent to Chicago, Illinois. r ere = ? 7 a rE, Waldo E, Mayer, oe Soldier's ” ‘APO#O27. AEF. | Mail. Miss Mae M. Schaer, 2943 S. Wallace St., From France, where we fight for Peace Lo America, where our loved ones dwell in Pace We soldiers of the AEF. Send home our loving greetings, on We Se Ay rist’s great Day of “Peace. ee eal. at PE ME sa Bae? Chicago, Tlls OR YANCA, Devambez Paris AMERICAN FORCES Welfare Organizations American YMCA ‘AMERICAN YMCA’ ‘ARMY OF OCCUPATION’ STATIONERY 26 FEBRUARY 1919 “Postal Express Service No. 927” Free-frank, officer- censored (black ink) cover, sent to Akron, Ohio. 7 MARCH 1919 “Postal Express Service APO 927” Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) cover, sent to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. AMERICAN FORCES Welfare Organizations American YMCA “MOTHER'S DAY’ STATIONERY 11 MAY 1919 “Third Army, A.P.O. 754” (Ill Corps, Neuwied) Free-frank, officer- censored (black ink) cover, sent to Denver, Colorado. 13 MAY 1919 “Third Army, A.P.O. 770” (90'" Division, Berncastel) Free-frank officer- censored (black ink) cover, sent to Fredell, Texas. AMERICAN FORCES Welfare Organizations American YWCA & Exchange Office AMERICAN ‘YWCA' HOSTESS HOUSE (TRIER'SCHER HOF HOTEL IN COBLENZ) WELFARE-ORGANIZATION CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE MAIL Siveiaiibecar Blin WAS SUBJECT TO FRANKING AND ne Pig.coln _ HAD TO BE OFFICER-CENSORED WHEN MAILED (stamp encapsulated) THROUGH THE MILITARY POSTAL SERVICE. on Reverse) 23 APRIL 1919 “Third Army APO 927" Free-frank, officer- censored (purple ink) view-card of “YWCA Hostess | House” in 4 Coblenz, sent to APO 706 ‘AEF Band Master School’, France RADE ———————— ee = om “Third Army APO 927” AMERICAN Y. W. C. A. HOSTESS HOUSE TRIER’SCHER HOF Franked, COBLENZ. civilian welfare- organization employee ‘YWCA' Cover, officer- censored (black ink), Holyoke, “PE DAS c Massachusetts. — CA Ne. | 3 Cents.. Single-weight US-domestic letter-rate {2 November 1917 -30 June 19719) AMERICAN FORCES American Civilian Employee Mail Postcards 28 MAY 1919 “Third Army APO 927” Franked, officer-censored (black ink) view-card , sent to Los Angeles, California. 2 Cents.. U.S. domestic postcard-rate {2 November 1917 - 30 June 1919) 6 DECEMBER 1919 “Third Army APO 927” Franked, view-card, uncensored, sent to Chicago, Illinois. 1 Cent.. US-domestic postcard-rate (1 July 1919 - 2 April 1925) AMERICAN FORCES American Civilian Employee Mail ‘Victory’ Stamp Franked Cover 3 APRIL 1919 “Third Army APO 734” (Rengsdorf) ‘Victory’ Stamp-franked American civilian employee cover, officer-censored (purple ink), American ‘YMCA’ stationery , sent to Detroit, Michigan. 3 Cents.. U.S. domestic single-weight letter-rate (2 November 1917 - 30 June 1919) Only known ‘Victory’ Stamp usage on APO-Mail from Germany. AMERICAN FORCES American Civilian Employee Mail Covers 4 JUNE 1919 “Third Army APO 927” Franked, officer-censored (black ink) ‘YMCA’ Cover, sent to “Brentano's” (Book Store), Paris, France. 3 Cents.. U.S. domestic single-weight letter-rate (2 November 1917 — 30 June 1919) 27 OCTOBER 1919 “Third Army APO 927” Franked cover, uncensored, sent to Clemson College, South Carolina. 2 Cents.. US-domestic single-weight, letter-rate (1 July 1919 - 5 July 1932) AMERICAN FORCES Registered Official Mail Covers Official registered mail was free of franking except for the registration service fee. f iv 10 APRIL 1919 “A.E.F Postal Express Service No 930 Registered” Franked official cover, officer-censored (black ink), sent to “The Chief Disbursing Officer, Air Service, Paris, France” 10 Cents.. US-domestic registration fee AMERICAN FORCES OUT-BOUND REGISTERED MAIL 16 JUNE 1919 (Back-Stamped) “Postal Express Service Registered APO 927” (Coblenz) Franked non-official, officer self-censored (black ink) cover, sent to Mahomet/re- directed to Sadorus, Illinois. 13 Cents.. 3 Cents.. Single- Weight US-Domestic Letter Rate + 10 Cents.. Registry fee Registered Non- Official Mail In- & Out-Bound Heese W. Morrison, Ist. Lieut. 9.M.C. Graves Registration Service. Hdars. Srd. Army, 0.0. J.M. JS Z A.P.0.#927. “merican Bs Bae mv Wel MRS. ELBERT 1. -MORRISON, % ie, | : ae fe ieee, — Pe ee gee eee Gar é Ch, ILLINOIS. ve CAct/, UeSeAe IN-BOUND REGISTERED RETURNED-TO-SENDER MAIL Pe % rod & ; SS 4 t fe Ee 4 NOVEMBER 1918 (Back-Stamped) “Postal Express Service Registered APO 746” (Bad Bertrich) Franked, in-bound non-official, uncensored cover, postmarked at Erie, Pennsylvania, sent to “Walter L. Young AEF 77" Field Artillery”, unknown upon arrival, re-directed & finally returned to sender on 20 April 1919. 13 Cents.. 3 Cents.. Single-Weight US-Domestic Letter- Rate + 10 Cents.. Registry fee AMERICAN FORCES OFFICER’S MAIL 7 DECEMBER 1918 (blue ink) “U.S. Army Postal Service M.P.E.S. APO 927” (Trier) Free-frank, officer self-censored (purple ink) view-card, sent to “Captain W.L. Tower (Marine Corps) Evacuation Hospital A.E.F.” (APO 747 = Mail Transfer Center) Inter-Unit Mail INTER-UNIT MAIL WAS SENT THROUGH THE MILITARY POSTAL EXPRESS SERVICE peas A A Lian, Abe O ets a |yir, Foray, Qc, 71008 Sheg he wi, on > nee Lier, 47 t bin wnlf Oh we 7 ian ny, te ag Yo (Are 0, ee Je A, é ae fh ee fe , Smee >: “PRIVATE USE TC A, | — ALGA AA4, Te Gee om, 44/ . lows ms 197621. << OFFICER’S MAIL & JULY 1919 “Third Army APO 740" (Andernach) Free-frank, manuscript- censored cover, postmarked at ‘APO 740’, sentto “Captain U.P. Scobey 2" Division .., Heddersdorf, Germany” (APO 710) AMERICAN FORCES Re-Directed & Forwarded Mail APO 727 Coblenz (Germany) to APO 742 82" Division (France) eee ES LO 25. MARCH 1919 APO 727 to APO 742..MILITARY POLICE/FRANCE Bs 28. MARCH 1919 "NO RECORD OF RECIPIENT" AT APO 742 : 2. APRIL 1919 APO 742 REDIRECTS LETTER TO APO 910... QUARTERMASTER - POSTAL SECTION 11. APRIL 1919 APO 910 INDICATES RECIPIENT IS UNASSIGNED/NO RECORD" ie 23. JULY 1919 APO 910 APPLIES "NO RECORD" DATE STAMP & | POSTMARK... “ADDRESSEE RETURNED TO U.S.A." American Expeditionary Forces Knights of Columbus OVERSEAS SERVICE : AMERICAN FORCES Soldiers’ Mail to Foreign Destinations France & Italy OUT-BOUND MAILTO FRANCE 21 MARCH 1919 “U.S. Army Post office M.P.E.S. APO 729” (Montabaur} Free-frank, reply cover, sent from “18" Infantry” (cachet hand-stamp) censored (purple ink), sent to “The Farmers’ Loan and Trust Company, Paris, France". OUT-BOUND MAIL TO ITALY 28 JULY 1919 “Third Army APO 927” (Coblenz) Free-frank, ‘YMCA’ Cover, postmarked at APO 927 (military police), sent to Trieste, ltaly, with Italian military censorship upon arrival. AMERICAN FORCES An independent air force did not exist during World War I, OFFICER'S MAIL 7 MAY 1919 “Third Army APO 927” (Coblenz) Free-frank, officer (Capt. R.S. Ripley, 2t Aero Squadron) self-censored cover, sent to New York City SOLDIER'S MAIL 25 MAY 1919 Free-frank, ‘YMCA’ Cover, officer-censored (F. Cavender, 4634 Aero Squadron), sentto Silverton, Oregon. but “air squadrons” were part of the “ARMY AIR SERVICE” Army Air Service 10 APRIL 1919 Free-frank, officer (Lt. Beymer, 12 Aero Squadron) self-censored cover, sent to Scotia, New York AMERICAN FORCES Bugler’s Mail Company “C”, 39" Infantry With their rank and unit identification necessary to obtain free-franking validity for mail, soldiers having a SPECIALTY FUNCTION in the American Forces, would indicate such in their return-address. 14 MAY 1919 “Third Army APO 746” (Bad Berfrich) Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) cover, sent to East Paris, Maine. AMERICAN FORCES Chaplain’s Mail 8 MARCH 1919 “U.S. Army Postal Service (APO) 710” (Heddesdor/) Free-frank, officer self- censored (black ink) ‘Knights of Columbus’ Cover sent to “Right Rev. R. J. Hayes” New York, New York. AE CLME Syne. Forge *30._ 4 0.947 Am bf. 8 JULY 1919 “Third Army APO 927” (Coblenz) Free-frank, officer (manuscript) cy self-censored ee Mex ¢ Tank cover, Le cng se “Rev. George J. Waring” JEL La PGS Oe New York” : : Jlecd- U8.a. | ee Ge | AMERICAN FORCES Cook’s Mail PEPE of __ lig 19 APRIL 1919 ‘Y ee we S Aneit| “Third Army ms eos fe APO 740” 4 om {APR 10,16) eo : (Andernach) : 4 \ 4 Free-frank, : : oe “oficer. a x } Lou Le aud hdepfern censored 1 fe z oo 2 ) a Si Cover, . - : ‘ y RR * Lo it oe 26. AE... JB, SAG sent to ¥ Bethlehem, ne t r Pennsylvania Ru art Shue « * . tet a lad ne i eg age 31 MARCH 1919 “Third Army APO 740” (Andernach) Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink) cover, sent to St. Joseph, Missouri. AMERICAN FORCES Journalist Corps JOURNALISTS were not independent/segregated from the forces In World War I, but WERE PART OF THE MILITARY. All war and occupation news releases were communicated & monitored by military ‘Journalist Corps’ personnel. JOURNALIST MAIL TO THE ‘LOS ANGELES EXAMINER’ NEWSPAPER 18 JUNE 1919 “Third Army APO 927” (Coblenz) Free-frank, officer (Colonel H.C. Nutt) self-censored cover, sent to Los Angeles, California. AMERICAN FORCES Marines’ Mail Marines of the ‘4'* Marine Brigade’ (24 Division, Ill Corps, APO 710) INDICATED “MARINES MAIL” ON THEIR OUT-GOING MAIL with or without unit insignia labels .. (‘INDIAN WITH HEADDRESS’ IN A CIRCLE). “Third Army APO 710” Free-frank officer-censored (purple ink) view-card, sent to Helena, Oklahoma. & foP etl ECU ihe = ee i aa ae 57 Zig 2 fhe, ee _ prises Maat! Ot Be 7 | Fortress fe AE LO f a 3 JULY 1919 “Third Army APO 710” Free-frank officer- censored {purple ink) sent to Gualala, California AMERICAN FORCES OFFICER’S MAIL 30 March 1919 “Third Army APO 740” (Andernach) Free-frank, officer self-censored (purple ink) Cover, sent to Anderson, Indiana. Medical Corps Mail SOLDIER'S MAIL 3 APRIL 1919 “Third Army APO 740” (Andernach) Free-frank, officer-censored (black ink) cover, sent to York, Pennsylvania AMERICAN FORCES Medical Corps Hospital Facilities OFFICER’S MAIL ‘STATION HOSPITAL’ 15 APRIL 1921 “U.S. Army M.P.E.S. (APO) 927" (Coblenz) “Enlist Today Germany | Army of Occupation” Free-frank, view-card, | sent to | Chicago, Illinois. NURSE'S MAIL | TO FRANCE 28 AUGUST 1919 “Third Army APO 927” | (Coblenz) Free-frank, view-card sent to Paris, France. AMERICAN FORCES OFFICER’S MAIL “FIELD HOSPITAL 127” 23 JANUARY 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office M.P.E.S. (APO) 734” (Rengsdorf) Free-frank, officer self-censored (Capt. H.M. Carter, Marine Corps) cover, sent to Oberlin, Ohio. Medical Corps Hospital Facilities HOSPITAL PATIENT'S MAIL SENT HOME TO ‘MOM’ 29 MARCH 1919 “Third Army APO 746" (Bad Bertrich) “Dear Mother, Just a line to lef you know | am in the Hospital with mumps..” Free-frank, ‘American Red Cross’ Card, sent to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. AMERICAN FORCES Medical Corps Evacuation Hospitals SOLDIERS BEING REDEPLOYED WERE SENT TO “EVACUATION HOSPITALS” for physical examinations (etc.) before being transferred home. “EVACUATION HOSPITAL NO. 12” 18 FEBRUARY 1919 “Postal Express Service No. 930” (Trier) Free-frank, officer-censored (blue ink) view-card, sent to Portland, Oregon. “EVACUATION HOSPITAL No. 30” (Mayen) JUNE 1919 “Call fo Colors” View Card “EVACUATION HOSPITAL NO. 6” 19 FEBRUARY 1919 (Coblenz) Free-frank, Officer-censored (purple ink), ‘American YMCA’ Cover, sent to Albany, New York. AMERICAN FORCES Musicians Mail “MUSICIAN patel U.S. INFANTRY te_postale, — Poctharte: e TDC ISIS 21 DECEMBER 1918 SANG SY “Postal Express y Service a No. 927” (Coblenz) Free-frank, officer-censored view-card, sent to Springfield, Ohio 19413 ‘BAND CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL CENTER’ 8 FEBRUARY 1919 “U.S. Army Post Office M.P.E.S. 715” Inter-unit view-card mail, APO 715 (Ahrweiler) to APO 909 (Céte-d’On), officer-censored (black ink). “360! INFANTRY BAND” 25 MARCH 1919 “Third Army APO 770” (Berncastel) Free-frank, officer-censored (purple ink), cover, sent to New Braunfels, Texas. AMERICAN FORCES Postal Address Notification Card “Army of Occupation” Upon deployment, ‘POSTAL ADDRESS NOTIFICATION CARDS’ COULD BE SENT TO FAMILY OR FRIENDS advising them of a soldier's new mailing address. % Address all mail to me as follows: Reverse Mm.A.Koller, Ord.Sgt.— ‘Name and. Rank : ) Coblanta-Lutzel,cermany ~ Officer Controlling Passes British Zone. 15 AUGUST 1923 Travel authorization & safe-conduct pass for a Cologne businessman fo travel to Berlin and reenter the Zone at the City of Vohwinkel. BRITISH FORCES Principal Railhead .. Cologne FIVE BRITISH DIVISIONS OCCUPIED THE important Cologne RHINE RIVER BRIDGEHEAD along with its RAILHEAD. 19 May 1919 “Army Post Office R.32" “Lancaster Division” February-November 1919. 12 January 1919 “Army Post Office R.9” “9th Division” | 4 December 1918- I February 1919. ie ee Correspondance i ee a) ele on Heys. o . Me. Bo Gomes, 3, Gor 22 June 1919 “Army Post Office R.29” “Southern Division” February - November 1919 21 March 1919 “Army Post Office R32” “London Division” February-November 1919, 2 -qo-merlag Alb, Urbach, Porz a. REY © BRITISH FORCES Principal Railhead .. Cologne 19 MAY 1919 “Army Post Office R.34” “Eastern Division Headquarters” February 1919- February 1920 ce SRR ; A 21MARCH1919 «ey ek Na ® 3 *RE Se Sie “Army Post Office ie eS 233% ie “Eastern Division” Meee See vis “57 Bedfordshire a be 4 . eh oe 33 Regiment” Ka Dy y SON £ = view-card, sone z ‘ § 2S 4 censored, = ag os AS Bao Got oP. with “O.A.5.” | ‘ ("On Active Service") ms i bd - 3 Fag a a Feo Ghat Burton on Trent, 3 5 ; England Sty Re ee 5 Aegf No. 4420 Coblenz, svonthpitterstur® gesehen é : tn g few 4 MAY 1919 “Army Post Office R.34" Free-frank view-card, censored, with “O.A.S.” (‘On Active Service") endorsement sent fo Liverpool, England BRITISH FORCES “Army Post Office G.R.” June 1919 - May 1922 APO “G.R.” Cologne Main Train Station 25 FEBRUARY 1920 “Army Post Office G.R.” Registered postal stationery cover, with unit validation cachet “C.R.E. Rhine Garrison” Endorsement, sent to Newbridge, Ireland Arrival Postmark: “Newbridge, lreland 27 February 1920” 2 Pence.. Flat-rate domestic registered postal stationery cover Reverse BRITISH FORCES Principal Railhead .. Bonn 22 JANUARY 1919 “Army Post Office R.6” (Bonn) “6th Division” December 1918 - February 1919. Free-frank, censored view-card, endorsed “0.4.5.” (On Active Service) sent to Bradford, England. 29 MAY 1919 “Army Post Office R.6” (Bonn) “Midland Division” February -— September 1919 Free-frank, censored cover, endorsed "0.4.8." {On Active Service) sent to West Kirby, England. BRITISH FORCES Principal Bases .. Brihl & Diren 24 FEBRUARY 1919 “Army Post Office FPO 16” (Brihl) “Midland Division” January - April 1919. Free-frank, censored cover, sent to Manchester, England. 24 APRIL 1919 a “Army Post Office R.2” (Diren) IV Corps Light Division (5%, 6!" & 99% Divisions) February - November 1919 Free-frank, censored view-card endorsed “Army of the Rhine” sent to Northumberland, England BRITISH FORCES Heavy rains late 1918/early 1919 caused poor road conditions along with slow mail movement resulting in introduction of RAILWAY ‘TRAVELING POST OFFICES’ OPERATING BETWEEN BOULOGNE, FRANCE, and COLOGNE, GERMANY between January- December 1919. Railway (Traveling) Post Offices .. SINGLE-CIRCLE (29mm) DATER DIAL 29 MARCH 1919 “BEF MAIN LINE TPO DOWN” 9 January — 29 March 1919. Free-frank, censored view-card, sent to Toronto, Canada. Latest known usage. Buition ” LUX, Bruxelles. Sele" R SA S fay 5 hie, io oe a, OA fon. G- wits beat Varlag Lao KOrtan, KBin DOUBLE-CIRCLE (27mm) DATER DIAL 4 June 1919 "BEF. MAIN LINE T.P.0. DOWN” 21 March — 13 September 1919 Free-frank, censored view-card, sent to Bealeyheath, England BRITISH FORCES Railway (Traveling) Post Offices .. ‘T.P.O.’ AMERICAN Army-of-Occupation LIAISON OFFICERS WERE ATTACHED to the ‘ROYAL TRANSPORTATION CORPS’ DOUBLE-CIRCLE (27mm) DATER DIAL 12 JULY 1919 “BEL. MAIN LINE T.P.O. DOWN” 21 March - 13 September 1919 Free-frank, British-Censored, American-YMCA Cover, sent by an American Lieutenant attached to the ‘Royal Transportation Corps’, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. BRITISH FORCES ‘A’ Airmail Services 1919 (Royal Air Force) IN DECEMBER 1918, THE ROYAL a AIR FORCE COMMENCED AIR aes MOVEMENT OF MAIL (“A” SERVICE) 3 between Marquise (France) & wee 3 Namur (Belgium), eg WITH EXTENSION TO COLOGNE COMMENCING ON 5 JANUARY 1919. i eg ibeecuset: Ae ——_ Verlag: S. F., Bonn Nachdruck verboten, Nr. 9 ‘A’ AIR SERVICE FROM COLOGNE 5 JANUARY 1919 “ARMY POST OFFICE 5.40” Free-frank, censored view-card, having airmail endorsement ‘A’, sent to London, England First day “A” Airmail Service from Cologne to Namur and then by surface to England Each flight carried 1100 Ibs. of mail, initially dropped by parachute, later not. Only 25% of flights could be flown because of weather conditions. Using Handley-Page Planes, this service was discontinued on 5 May 1919. BRITISH FORCES Airmail Services 1919 (Royal Air Force) England and Marquise (France) & Namur (Belgium), EXTENSION TO COLOGNE N 5 JANUARY 1919. Such service later night flight service. 1 MARCH 1919 Captain A.F. Hordern AFC, leader of the first aerial mail trip from Hawkinge to Cologne, with illustrated bag label for the return trip dated 9 April 1919. 14 MAY 1919 DH-10 Type Aircraft conveyed the first night-dispatched mail shipment. BRITISH FORCES Airmail Services 1919 (Royal Air Force) 17 JULY 1919 Photo of aerial-mail plane flying from Hawkinge/Folkstone, England, to the British Army of Occupation, Cologne, being weight checked with location mail-drop label on mail sack. Bag Label: “To be Dropped at Cologne” BRITISH FORCES Airmail Services 1920 (R.A.F. 12 Squadron = Cologne-Lympne) Although the ‘British Army of Occupation’ contracted ‘Air Travel & Transport Co., Ltd’ of Britain to move mail between Cologne-Folkstone- Cologne (Formerly R.A.F. Service “C”) between 26 February — 17 December 1920, ‘R.A.F. 12 SQUADRON’ ALSO TRIAL-MOVED MAIL BETWEEN COLOGNE-LYMPNE- COLOGNE DURING THE PERIOD, later becoming the sole means of airmail movement effective 13 April 1921. OFFICIAL MILITARY REGISTERED AIRMAIL 18 May 1920 “ARMY POST OFFICE G.B.” (British Railhead Post Office at Cologne Main Train Station) Free-frank, censored, registered cover, sent by “12 Squadron R.A.F.” to the “Base Pay Office” at Woking, England. Arrival Postmark: (Reverse) “Registered, London 19 May 1920” Airmail Service (Daimler Airways) BRITISH FORCES Effective 10 April 1923, BRITISH OCCUPATION cee wg Ny FORCES CONTRACTED ‘DAIMLER AIRWAYS’ of Germany Low ie 3 My & } a j 7 to transport British Occupation Forces’ Mail (routed through ‘APO S.40’) by air from Cologne to London. ey Mr. D. LEVER, PEE ; Fulwood Place, Fulwood House High Holborn, London, W.C.1. England. REGISTERED ‘APO S.40’ AIRMAIL 25 MAY 1925 “ARMY POST OFFICE 5.40” Cover, uncensored registered airmail, through British Forces Headquarters’ Post Office at Cologne, sent to London, England Arrival Postmark: (Reverse) “Registered (red), London 50 25 May 1925” 6-1/2 Pence... 2 Pence: Single-weight letter-rate + 4-1/2 Pence: Airmail surcharge BRITISH FORCES Army Courier Service Cologne Headquarters IN EARLY 1920, A BRITISH COURIER SERVICE WAS ESTABLISHED WITH HEADQUARTERS AT COLOGNE for a expedited documentation delivery service between the Interallied Commission, Allied Forces, and with plebiscite areas. British plebiscite mail moved by courier to Cologne and, as applicable, continued by airmail to London, 6 APRIL 1920 “Army Courier Office (A or B) $.5 (Courier Office) 16 May 1920-9 May 1921 Upper-Silesia Plebiscite Commission Mail, cachet validated, by courier to Cologne and airmail beyond, sent to Cambridge, England. 2 Pence.. Army-Courier Universal-Rate BRITISH FORCES Official British Plebiscite Mail Allenstein Subsequent to the signing of the ‘Peace Treaty of Versailles’ in 1919, plebiscites took place in various parts of Germany with British postal stations in those areas using the British Army Courier Service for movement of mail to Cologne (British Rhineland Occupation Headquarters) for forwarding. Local mail was handled through the German Post Office. 26 APRIL 1920 “Allenstein *1a” Official mail cover, sent by the “Administrative Comnission for the Plebiscite in Allenstein” (East Prussia), postmarked at Allenstein, sent through the German Post Office to the finance section of the Comnission at Allenstein. Cachet Validation Mark: “Communications .. Administrative Commission for t lai: Period of British Plebiscite Activity: January 1920-13 August 1920 BRITISH FORCES Official Mail OFFICIAL MAIL WAS NOT CENSORED as long as it was sent in special “On His Majesty's Service” Covers along with indication of the sender's unit. 23 MARCH 1919 “Field Post Office H.6" (Headquarters VI Corps, Diren) February 1919 - March 1920 Free-frank official (military post office) imprinted cover sent to London, England. 26 FEBRUARY 1919 “Field Post Office Q.5” (Headquarters 5" Tank Brigade, Monschau) February - 23 September 1919 Free-frank official headquarters Imprinted cover, sent to Bristol, England, most probably with R.A.F. 120 Squadron.. Cologne-Folkstone (formerly R.AF. Service ‘C’) on first day of such service. seh BRITISH FORCES Postage Due Mail SHORT-PAID IN-BOUND COVER FROM ENGLAND TO A SOLDIER STATIONED IN THE RHINELAND 16 JULY 1921 f= ee ee gee Believing mail to a soldier was free- SS MSEAT= frank, sender dropped cover ina —~. RAMSCATE me, RA ATS ‘Ramsgate City’ Drop-box. — : ; Otte, = Post Office determined d fi ~— 2. uP — 2 “0 ea ‘os ice determined domestic he , rate was applicable, fry 16 JUL 2) {6 JUL 2f affixed 2x 2 Penny postage (reverse) : = One Penny 4 pe cine rece eonate nee ee ee with postage due of Two Pence from the recipient. (1 Penny Postage + iS 1 Penny Penalty). Upon arrival at British Army Post Office “G.R.” (Cologne Train Station), address found to be insufficient for delivery, cover subsequently endorsed “Return to Sender” (reverse) and returned to : = Ramsgate Post Office. eo oe nen see, _OUT-BOUND COVER TO ENGLAND INCORRECTLY DEPOSITED IN GERMAN DROP BOX RESULTING IN PENALTY POSTAGE DUE FROM RECIPIENT 7 AUGUST 1922 Sender properly affixed applicable postage of 1-1/2 Pence to England but incorrectly deposited in German Drop-Box. German Post Office applied postmark at “Cologne-Riehl” (British Barracks), ae forwarded letter to ie England with 1-1/2 Pence ‘Penalty Due’. BRITISH FORCES Soldiers’ & Official Mail Rate Change 1922 EFFECTIVE 29 MAY 1922, THE SINGLE-WEIGHT LETTER-RATE FOR OFFICIAL & SOLDIERS’ MAIL BECAME 1-1/2 PENCE. SINGLE-CIRCLE DATER-DIAL (26mm) 5 AUGUST 1923 “Army Post Office 5.40” (Cologne-Marienburg Barracks) January 1923 - October 1925 Single-weight cover sent to London, England. SINGLE-CIRCLE DATER DIAL (23mm) 22 NOVEMBER 1922 “Army Post Office $.40 A” (Cologne-Riehl Barracks) May 1922 - January 1926 Official mail cover, sent to London, England JON HIS MARSIVS SERVICE Reverse BRITISH FORCES Censorship Markings PRIMARY CENSORSHIP MARKING WAS A RUBBER HAND-STAMP 19 X 37 mm applying black, red or purple ink markings numbered between 30 fo 7398. Censorship markings signed by an officer indicated officer ‘censored’ mail, while unsigned censor markings indicated ‘validated’ mail. HOSPITALPATIENT = (NO APO/FPO) f 16 MARCH 1919 Free-frank, censored view-card, sent to Cary Station, Illinois. aT SERIE ,, WIRO“ BONN No. 2u7 A: ¢. F. Wiedeinann, Hofl., Roda S.-A, : % = 28 JANUARY 1919 “Field Post Office Q.5” (2"4/3"4 Tank Group) cy i (Monschav) tL _ Free-frank, censored view- -____ card, sent to Birmingham. Js No. 3134, copyright Arthur Schiirer & Co., B.-Schéneberg Paul Fischer pinx: Jung 1Un ie 16 JUNE 1919 “Army Post Office 5.63” (Guards Division Headquarters) (Bonn) Free-frank, censored cover, sent to Brighton, — England. fe BRITISH FORCES Censorship of Mail Censorship of soldiers’ mail effectively ceased early in the occupation period, albeit CENSORSHIP MARKINGS WERE STILL APPLIED TO MAILTO DESIGNATE ITS FREE-FRANK STATUS. GREEN ‘HONOR’ ENVELOPE 30 DECEMBER 1918 “Field Post Office 5” 5 Brigade, 2"4 Division (near Cologne) December 1918- November 1919 Free-frank ‘Honor Envelope’ sent to Coventry, England. REAR BASE MAIL INSPECTION & CENSORSHIP 29 MAY 1919 “Field Post Office 14” 14 Brigade, 32"4 Division, (near Cologne) April - November 1919 Free-frank cover, rear-base inspected/censored (possibly because of illegible initial censor mark) & resealed, sentto Wolverhampton, England CANADIAN FORCES Advance to Germany CANADIAN FORCES ADVANCED TO GERMANY INTEGRATED WITH BRITISH FORCES through Belgium, reaching the Rhine River by 10 December 1918. 29 NOVEMBER 1918 “Field Post Office 147” (advance to Siegburg, location of Canadian Supply Railhead) 3 Canadian Brigade (Brig. Gen. Tuxford, C.B., C.M.G, Commander) 29 November 1918 — 18 January 1919 i Free-frank, censored view-card, sent to Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada Earliest known usage. we 18 DECEMBER 1918 “Field Post Office 3.N” (Brigade crossed the Rhine River on 13 December 1918, as indicated in card’s text) Ist Canadian Brigade, 1* Division (Brig. Gen. W.A. Griesbach, C.M.G, D.S.0. Commander) 14 December 1918 -— 18 January 1919 Free-frank, censored view-card , sent to London, Ontario, Canada CANADIAN FORCES Principal Bases 21 FEBRUARY 1919 “Field Post Office 3.0” (Bonn) Canadian Corps Headquarters 14 December 1918 - February 1919 Free-frank, censored, “Canadian YMCA” Cover, sent to Hampstead, Long Island, New York. 21 JANUARY 1919 “Army Post Office RPT” (Canadian Supply Railhead, Siegburg/Headquarters, Cologne) 1st Canadian Division 14 December 1918 - January 1919 Free-frank, censored view-card , sentto Belleville, Ontario. CANADIAN FORCES Official Mail CANADIAN OCCUPATION FORCES IN THE RHINELAND REMAINED LESS THAN THREE MONTHS, except for some headquarters & administrative personnel attached to full British units. The Canadian 1* & 2"¢ Divisions were redeployed home by the end of February 1919. 22 MARCH 1919 “Field Post Office D.P. 2” (Seelscheid) 2nd Canadian Division Headquarters 18 January 1919 - March 1919 Free-frank, censored cover, “On His Majesty's Service” Imprinted official-mail, sent to Cambridge, England, via ‘Air Service C’ flown by R.A.F. 120 Squadron .. Cologne-Maisoncelle-Hawkinge (Folkstone). CANADIAN FORCES 23 FEBRUARY 1919 “Field Post Office G.R.” (British Railhead Post Office, Main Train Station, Cologne) Free-frank, censored, “Canadian YMCA” Cover, sent to Toronto, Ontario. Use of British Army Post Offices ALL CANADIAN & BRITISH SOLDIERS’ MAIL WAS ROUTED THROUGH THE BRITISH MAIN MILITARY POSTAL FACILITY at the Cologne Main Train Station. Canadian Forces, integrated with British Forces, were accordingly authorized to use British postal facilities. OFFICER’S MAIL 9 JANUARY 1919 “Army Post Office $.40” (British Forces Main Post Office, Stolkgasse, Cologne) Free-frank, officer self-censored cover, sent to Saddle Lake, Alberta. Advance to Germany NEW ZEALAND FORCES A NEW ZEALAND DIVISION, CONSISTING OF THREE BRIGADES, WAS INTEGRATED IN Il CORPS OF THE 2"° BRITISH ARMY, ARRIVING IN GERMANY ON 14 DECEMBER 1918. Their occupation mission was short-lived with re-deployment home commencing in January 1919 with completion by 25 March 1919. 14 DECEMBER 1918 es ale “Field Post Office RZ.” <4 7 oR (New Zealand Forces’ CORRESPONDANEE e Supply Railhead, : Cologne) ; iii D Ld CENSOR 14 December 1918 - y March 1919 : ee 2997 Free-frank, censored viewcard, sent to ; Jedburgh, Scotland. ; / A Earliest Known Usage. 2 JANUARY 1919 “Field Post Office D.59” (Headquarters New Zealand Forces, Leverkusen) December 1918 - March 1919 Free-frank, censored, “New Zealand YMCA” Cover, sent to Auckland. New Zealand. NEW ZEALAND FORCES 15T, 2ND g& 3°0 Brigade Mail FIRST BRIGADE 15 JANUARY 1919 “Field Post Office 96” (Leichlingen) December 1918 -— February 1919 Free-frank, censored, “New Zealand YMCA” Cover, sent to limaru, New Zealand. SECOND BRIGADE 16 FEBRUARY 1919 “Field Post Office 22° (Mihlheim) February 1919 - 25 March 1919 Free-frank, censored, “New Zealand YMCA” Cover, sent to Grespmouth, New Zealand. THIRD BRIGADE 5 FEBRUARY 1919 “Field Post Office 99” (Benzberg) December 1918 - February 1919 Free-frank, censored cover, sent to Auckland, New Zealand. BELGIAN FORCES Advance to Germany .. Eupen & Malmedy Regions BELGIAN FORCES ADVANCED TO GERMANY THROUGH BELGIUM TO REACH THEIR RHINE-BRIDGEHEAD AT THE CITY OF NEUSS IN GERMANY. Between 1918-1919, occupation of the heretofore German border areas of Eupen & Malmedy shifted from French to British to Belgian occupation by 25 August 1919, with postal authority becoming Belgian on 15 January 1920. The ‘Treaty of Versailles’ awarded the territories to Belgium and upheld by the League of Nations on 21 October 1920. EUPEN 12 MAY 1920 City of Eupen official mail, postmarked “Eupen”, sent to the Registry Office at Dresden (unoccupied). @ y B g o a! 2 a g wz MALMEDY 1 APRIL 1921 Up-rated postal stationery card, postmarked “Malmedy", sent to Dudweiler, French-Occupied German-Saar Province. Advance fo Germany .. BELGIAN FORCES FPO ‘1’ Postmark ON 11 DECEMBER 1918, THE 15' BELGIAN DIVISION REACHED THE CITY OF NEUSS, THEIR RHINE RIVER BRIDGEHEAD. Neuss’ “Sister” City of Diisseldorf (east bank of the Rhine) was not fully occupied until 8 March 1921 during the European Allies’ attempt to force German reparation payments. ki ve. Efe ed, : Lo morose Le Zener 15 DECEMBER 1920 a ree ey Free-frank view-card, ; sent to Berchem, wee tee LES Ze : Belgium. LE. es fe oS Z toad FPO ‘I’ Lay Ze oS December 1918 - ee ae Grete. February 1920 eo | (Various German locations) -t PE atp ae eet | Sie ea ee a ZS c. ce ges. geschiltz™ Conpsknstanst: Dess. we, 171716 4 MARCH 1922 Free-frank view-card, sent to Antwerp, Belgium. FPO 'T’ 5 February 1920 - 27 November 1929 (Aachen) BELGIAN FORCES Early Occupation .. Military Postmarks Without Indicia During the early advance & occupation, MILITARY POSTMARKS HAD NO MILITARY POST OFFICE INDICIA With such only determinable from the sender’s name & unit identification from the text or from the view-card illustrated location itself. MAILTO BELGIUM 25 MAY 1919 Free-frank view-card having cachet marking “Military Civil Administration Inspection” sent to Brussels, Belgium. “EPO ‘2"” December 1918 - 15 February 1920 (Aachen) MAILTO ENGLAND 4 APRIL 1919 Free-frank, view-card, sent to West Croydon, Surrey, England. “EPO ‘3 December 1918- 15 February 1920 ___{Coub-am Rhein} MAILTO FRANCE 15 MARCH 1919 Free-frank cover, sent to Paris, France. “EPO ‘4’” December 1918- 15 February 1920 (Sender's Endorsement) BELGIAN FORCES Early Occupation .. Supplemental Unit Cachet Indicia Early SOLDIERS’ MAIL REQUIRED the sender to have UNIT DESIGNATION on mail, albeit sometimes overlooked, yet not delaying mail. 6 JUNE 1919 Free-frank cover, having cachet marking “56" Battery of the 5th Artillery Regiment”, along with endorsement “A.B.O." = Belgian Occupation Army, sent to Brussels, Belgium. “EPO 4" December 1918 - 15 February 1920 (Aachen) “Major Simons | oO 4.0 -8M.4— OFFICER'S MAIL 4 SEPTEMBER 1919 Free-frank view-card, with cachet marking “Major Simons ...., Army of Occupation, Germany” sent to Brussels, Belgium. “EPO '7"™" December 1918 - 15 February 1920 (Neuss) BELGIAN FORCES FPO ‘4’ Postmarks Free-frank view-card, a ce ZL having cachet eee . marking Ee Ba < ele Coes Pe “gh Battery, 16! GRE ha é Artillery Regiment, II a Z 7. Ce . 29 JANUARY 1920 Corps”, sent to Gecelles, Belgium. “FPO ‘4’™" December 1918 - January 1920 (Aachen, Biderich, Straelen, Kevelaer, Ménchen- Gladbach) 20 AUGUST 1924 Free-frank view-card, sent to Liege, Belgium. “EPO ‘4”” 16 February 1920 -— 30 January 1926 (Krefeld, Bochum, Goch, Kaldenkirchen, Kempen, Kevelaer, Uerdingen) 24 AUGUST 1925 Free-frank view-card, sent to St. Nikloras, Belgium Note different form of ‘A” versus 1920 & 1924 usage postmarks. BELGIAN FORCES FPO ‘5’ Postmarks MAILTO BELGIUM ie! 4 17 JUNE 1919 Free-frank view-card, sent to Brussels, Belgium. oB-tNid Me; — “EPO '5”” December 1918 - 15 February 1920 (Gelern, Issum, Xanten, Kevelaer, Krefeld, Kleve, Homberg, Rheinberg) Arrival Postmark: “Brussels Arrival, 18 June” (International-brand Postmarking Machine Marking) Kunstverlag Jos. Labs jun. Cleve. Ansichts\artenhai Gold. Medaiilen Niirnberg 1907 u. MAILTO ENGLAND 14 FEBRUARY 1919 Free-frank view-card, sent to West Croydon, England. Free-Franking Privilege covered mail to Belgium, France, Great Britain & Italy as well as their respective colonies until 31 October 1921. BELGIAN FORCES FPO ‘6’ Postmarks 23 SSPTEMBER 1921 (Neuss) Free-frank view-card, sent to Bousson/Mons, Belgium. “EPO 6" 16 February 1920 - 30 January 1926 (Neuss, Formagen, Dusseldorf, Disseldorf-Oberkassel, Disseldorf-Heerat, Grevenbroich, Oekoven, Rommerskirchen) Free-frank view-card, sent to Kain, Belgium. - : 5 Note: << De Fe sent ionth x | indication in dater dial. anstait Kosmos, Halberstadt. Nr. 9902 BELGIAN FORCES MAILTO BELGIUM 16 DECEMBER 1921 Free-frank view-card, sent to Fontaine L'Erique, Belgium. “EPO '7"" 16 February 1920 - 30 January 1926 (Moers, Baerl, Essenberg, Hochemmerich/Rheinhause n, Hohenbudberg, Homberg, Rheinkamp) FPO ‘7’ Postmarks a. Rh, INTER-UNIT MAIL 6 AUGUST 1922 Free-frank view-card, sent to a fellow soldier stationed at: Baerl, Germany. MAILTO ENGLAND o 23 24 DECEMBER 1923 ee Free-frank 24 . view-card, sent to 6g » London, Belgium ae Note different form & a of '7” having serifs. 43) \" 2 B wa Despite free-frank privilege expiring on 31 October 1921, this mail went free. shy Kanst€orla, Gees. gos b SEFC Z, OF = BELGIAN FORCES 1923 Occupation of the Ruhr Industrial Zone (Beyond the Rhineland) Ruhr Valley Occupation Territory be & — ; Germany Relevant to the ‘Versailles Peace Treaty’, the WWI European Allies on 29 January 1921 determined Germany’s reparations to be 226 Billion Gold Marks. Since Germany did not promptly pay the initial installment, the Allies, exerting leverage, subsequently occupied the Rhine & Ruhr River Ports at Diisseldorf, Duisburg & Ruhrort on 8 March 1921. CONTINUED SLOW REPARATION PAYMENTS BY GERMANY RESULTED IN THE ALLIES OCCUPYING THE ENTIRE RUHR-VALLEY INDUSTRIAL TERRITORY ON 11 JANUARY 1923 with establishment of a customs-border between it and the remainder of Germany, levying 50% duties on all goods exchanged applying those to the reparations account. FPO ‘10° | ee 24 MARCH 1924 Free-frank view-card, sent to Petit-Boechain, Belgium. ay +? au “FPO ‘10’” 7 February 1923 - 24 July 1925 (Osterfeld, Bottrop, Dinslaken, Friedrichsteld, Kénigshardt, Spellen, Sterkrade) Coc LIVE BELGIAN FORCES 1923 Occupation of the Ruhr Industrial Zone (FPO ‘9’ Postmarks) With the occupation of the Ruhr Industrial Area, was TRANSFER OF BELGIAN ‘FPO 9 from the newly Belgian-annexed Malmedy Province TO THE RUHR. ete terrae ‘i nl LTT et ane SEES re oh rer. 4 CL... 24 JUNE 1923 Le Le be Free-frank view-card, jee. A Ng Jor sent to Ah ‘ I Petet-Rechain, Adu. Gaucconeank $ Belgium jt xe Sott Grin SLR, <3 totam Fain, = “FPO ‘9'" Md Be 2 8 March 1921 - x beater De pore 2 25 August 1925 Mier iy (Duisburg, -Hamborn,- . 3 Hochfeld, Kasslerfeld, A et, Carri dure 7 -Meidenrich, -Ruhrort, a Walsum) Quant 14 4 be ’ \- | Eee nk i 2 Gru ofa hovel, eo 1 SEPTEMBER 1924 be 2 eee et { Db . é | Free-frank view-card, Aaulé - Ghee en Zones Ss CeRbo? | sent to Ge Le: sop a4 yin Ls Ble. foes St. Gilles, Belgium. AGL yits fo ES ee | 2h P eee | Note Alteration of Foe ee ee ue | location of hour | oid Co Lee é elements “Viele lagne- compared to other pet beg ; FPO Postmarks. Cet BELGIAN FORCES 1926 Cessation of Free-Franking Mail Privilege FREE-FRANKING PRIVILEGE FOR BELGIAN ACTIVE-SERVICE PERSONNEL ENDED ON 1 OCTOBER 1926, henceforth requiring Belgian domestic or UPU International Rates to be observed. 17 JANUARY 1927 Cover, sent from FPO ‘1’ Branch at Gelsenkirchen (Ruhr), to Brussels, Belgium “EPO ']"" 16 February 1920 - 27 November 1929 (Aachen, Aachen-Forst, Eschweiler, Julich, Ronheide, Stolberg, Weiden) 50 Centimes.. Double-weight Belgian-Domestic Letter-Rate. 20 OCTOBER 1928 BELGIAN FORCES Belgian Rhineland Occupation .. Military Postage Stamps Usage Effective 20 September 1919, BELGIAN RHINELAND OCCUPATION FORCES & CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES WERE TO USE STAMPS OF THE BELGIAN REGULAR SERIES OF 1915 OVERPRINTED “Allemagne Duifschland” for postcards and letters over 20 grams in weight sent through the Belgian military postal system. Civilian us of these stamps was not permitted. LOW VALUES 20 APRIL 1920 FPO ‘I’ 16 February 1920 - 27 November 1929 (Aachen Main Post Office) BELGIAN FORCES Belgian Rhineland Occupation .. Military Postage Stamps Usage HIGH VALUES 20 APRIL 1920 FPO 'T’ 16 February 1920 - 27 November 1929 (Aachen Main Post Office) BELGIAN FORCES Belgian Rhineland Occupation .. Military Postage Stamps Free-franking for active Belgian military personnel remained valid for postcards and letters up to 20 grams sent to Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy and their respective colonies until 1 October 1926. For other mail, on 20 September 1919, the BELGIAN POST OFFICE OVERPRINTED STAMPS OF THEIR 1915 DOMESTIC REGULAR SERIES “Allemagne Duifschland”, for use only by Rhineland Occupation Military Personnel & family mail sent through the Belgian FPO Offices in the Rhineland to those and other countries. MAILTO BELGIUM 16 OCTOBER 1920 i a ey) Cover, sent to Bruges, Belgium. FPO ‘7’ 16 February 1920 - 30 January 1926 (Moers, Baerl, Essenberg, Hochemmerich ‘Rheinhausen’, Hohenbudberg, Homberg, Monsieur Ad, Brateé Rheinkamp) . 15 Centimes.. Single-weight Belgian Domestic Letter-Rate OFFICER MAILTO SWEDEN ost xs Fates MILI Diag 22 AUGUST 1923 ee MESPRPOST A : Registered cover, sent to i Solleftea, Sweden. FPO ‘TT’ 29 March 1923 - 4 April 1925 (Alpen, Gladbeck, Boy, Buer, Dorsten, Gahlen, Horst, Hinxe, Karnap, Kirchhellen, Marl) Commanclarnt Ce EL° tegiinent- P tiefeaccderier SecbO& MUS Sottsitect 100 Centimes.. UPU International Single-Weight Registered Letter-Rate Only Known Registered Cover fe a, lo SS BELGIAN FORCES Belgian Rhineland Occupation Mail sent to the Belgian Congo FREE-FRANKING PRIVILEGE WAS APPLICABLE FOR MAIL SENT TO BELGIUM & ITS COLONIES UNTIL 1 OCTOBER 1926 9 JUNE 1921 Free-frank view-card, sentto Stanleyville, Belgian Congo FPO ‘1’ 16 February 1920 - 27 November 1929 (Aachen Main Post Office) Arrival Postmark: “Stanleyville, 1 August 1921” Only Known Occupation Mail to the Belgian Congo FRENCH FORCES Advance to Germany .. Saar Territory Occupation BY 23 NOVEMBER 1918 FRENCH FORCES ALREADY OCCUPIED THE GERMAN SAAR TERRITORY & SOUTHWEST RHINE PALATINATE, SUBSEQUENTLY HAVING TO RETURN TO FRANCE UNTIL 1 DECEMBER, THE AGREED DATE FOR CROSSING THE GERMAN BORDER AS STATED IN THE ARMISTICE AGREEMENT. The ‘Peace Treaty of Versailles’, Articles 45-50 “Saar Statutes”, determined foreign control of the southern portion of the Prussian Rhine Province (1465 km?) & western portion of the Bavarian Rhine Palatinate (416 km?) for 15 years, guaranteed by the League of Nations, during which a determination of “national association” was to be decided. A plebiscite held on 1 March 1935 resulted in an overwhelming populous desire for association with Germany rather than France. ee da Cha fein ae Sigt. Oude Gb 2 Loe 19 NOVEMBER 1923 Free-frank cover (front), sent to France. Tresor et Posfes *4* January 1919 - January 1930 (Zweibricken, Saar) FRENCH FORCES Principal Base: Mainz (Mayence) Headquarters of French Occupation Army Tresor et Postes *77* THE CITY OF MAINZ WAS THE RHINE- BRIDGEHEAD FOR THE FRENCH OCCUPATION FORCES, location of the French Army Headquarters & 4" Cavalry Division. REGISTERED MAILTO FRANCE 11 MARCH 1924 Registered cover (front), sent from T&P *77* at Mainz to Paris, France. Tresor et Postes *77* January 1919 - June 1930 (Mainz) 75 Centimes... 25 Cent... Single-weight letter-rate + 50 Cent... Registration fee Registered mail was not free, but required the French domestic postage rate. 25 JANUARY 1929 8 MARCH 1930 Free-frank cover, sent from T&P *77* at Mainz FF 4.00 Late Usage.. to Luc sur Mer, France {Parcel Post) FRENCH FORCES Principal Base: Coblenz (Coblence) 28 APRIL 1920 Free-frank view-card sent to Paris, France. Tresor et Postes *131* January 1919 - November 1929 (Coblenz & Bad Ems) ww Headquarters of the Interallied High Commission & 38h French Infantry Division Tresor et Postes *131* ZO sO he U6 SPH a Lox poe eee Ce thal ta ak aa [a +lo Cov ; Ch 24 JULY 1929 Nh = y ’ AT Free-frank : N SY — 2 De if J Used | view-card 2 eS Sender: we bo? ; So a ofA Y Acs “151% Regiment, Z § 2 Yo ee 10 Company” : Ge A ; a 2AAA CL ey ao MAT U7? POSTKARTE Hoke . ee Viepios Free-frank cover, ay 4 sent to St. Saixerte, France Cachet Mark: “French Mission to the American Army” Coblenz was the Headquarters location of the American Forces in the Rhineland until January 1923. FRENCH FORCES Principal Base: Wiesbaden Headquarters of 30' French Army Corps, 37'h Infantry Division & French Occupation Forces Supply Base Tresor et Postes *180* FREE-FRANKING PRIVILEGE DID NOT APPLY TO FRENCH MILITARY CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES albeit they were permitted to use the Military Postal Service at French domestic postage rates. 27 JULY 1921 | ye 191 View-card aan : a sent to oe Paris, France. Ma eee 3, . = es Tresor et Postes *180* : 7 g 2} January 1919- = ete W 7 0) % December 1929 prove, Yo Sveti Cire “Ss (Wiesbaden) : a oes lesbaden, clers 5 20 Centimes.. Coed A. poe, ue Bet tes 15 Cent.. French fue cate lle ot Z pe Domestic Postcard * Be Rate+ oes fore a 5 Cent.. Convenience Oa a nena 8 over-franking eG z Nr, 34015 Wiesbaien: Nassauisches Landestheater. _ ‘Theatre national de Nassau ‘Notional theatre of Nassau ruck-Verla! i | WIESBADEN Kurhaus - Gartenansicht Gura-salle — vue de Jardin Gure-house — garden-side rows Os 3 Ie poiea Yodan Or e io Kupfertietdruck-Serie No. 2054 4 8 JULY 1924 OuUA AeA a AMA inhi, QUAd Ub ies Set” Rewscurd ie ) at f { — 7 Marseille, France. ‘owe lenee Yura Q Ole g ( boat , OC ; qd | [Mae (duos) (faa 15 Centimes.. French Domestic Postcard Rate a van den. Boogaart's Kunstanstalt, Wiesbaden: ae FRENCH FORCES Civilian Identity Cards During Occupation (French Occupation Zone) As pre-World War I, IDENTITY CARDS CONTINUED TO BE ISSUED BY THE LOCAL POLICE CIVILIAN REGISTRY OFFICE, albeit now monitored by the zone occupation forces. Reverse CIVILIAN INDENTITY CARD ISSUED DURING FRENCH OCCUPATION AT THE CITY OF WIESBADEN 21 NOVEMBER 1923 “Civilian Identity Card” issued by the Police Authority & Registration Office at Wiesbaden indicating “Besefztes Gebiet” (“Occupied Territory”). FRENCH FORCES Civilian Identity Cards During Occupation (French Occupation Zone) ALL RESIDENTS 14-YEARS OR OLDER WERE REQUIRED TO HAVE ON THEIR PERSON A VALID IDENTIFICATION CARD issued by the local town/city mayor's & police headquarters. Old replaced cards were sent to the ‘Rhineland Commission’ Located at the City of Mainz (Mayence). Personalausweis. Alle Personén, tber 14 ahre. miisean den Personalausweis bei sich fihren. Bei dauerndem Verzuge Von ---..0:cc .... ist dieser Ausweis an den Reverse CIVILIAN INDENTITY CARD ISSUED AT THE SMALL TOWN OF NIEDERMENDIG DURING FRENCH OCCUPATION 12 OCTOBER 1923 “Civilian Identity Card” issued by the Police Authority & ee Once # Niedermendig indicating 2 e e Uj (“Occupied Territory”). FRENCH FORCES Seizure of German Goods & Property SEIZURE OF RAILWAY STOCK, VEHICLES AND OTHER GOODS BY THE FRENCH & BELGIANS AS “WAR PRIZES” AND PAYMENT OF REPARATIONS WERE COMMON-PLACE DURING FRENCH OCCUPATION OF THE RHINELAND RHEINARMER, Mopiis x° 3. Die gewohnlich fahrenden Ministériclle Verordnung , Fubrer der durch vorstehen- vom 21. Marz 1914 den Befehl bezeichnetan Wagen 1a : 8 Artikel 15. haben unter allen Umstinden die Wagen zur fesgesetzten Zeit an den angegebenen Ort xu REQUISITION DER KRAFTWAGEN. fahren. = re STELLUNGSBEFEHL FUR. DAS JAHR 1924 . AUF BEFEHL DES KOMMANDIERENDEN GENERALS DER FRANZOSISCHEN RHEINARMEE Wird | Frau | Joy boeing fe thn HA Paisdaialrnde [ Fraulem | Inhaber (in) oder Besitzer (in) eingetragene Kraftwagen, BEZEICHNUNG TYPUS TRAGKRAFT ANZAHL z KRAFT ART DER WAGEN UND SERIENNUMMER ODER ANZAHL DER ANHANGER (Fabrikmarke). des Gestolls. der Sitaplatze. bei Lastzugen. oa fi es CEN 4 bo oy ie | hee 7 cit \ & oN a : * s 3 SN ist > ae : d ey : welche in untergebracht’y is 8) der ‘Kraftwagen-Requisitionskommissten N° in ee {s a me 4 REPARATIONS CONFISCATION REQUISITION-DOCUMENT OF A “BENZ” TRUCK FROM A BUSINESS AT WIESBADEN 23 JUNE 1924 “Order of Requisition” Document signed by the Commandant of the 30" French Army Corps at Wiesbaden ordering “Herz Company” to transfer their “Benz” Truck along with “40 Liters of Gasoline, 10 liters of oil, 2 kilos of grease and 2 kilos of rags” to the local city authorities. FRENCH FORCES Free-Franking Privilege FREE-FRANKING PRIVILEGE APPLIED TO BOTH OFFICERS & SOLDIERS OF THE FRENCH FORCES albeit requiring them to indicate their unit identification on such mail. 22 MAY 1922 Free-frank view-card sent to Amiens, France. Tresor ef Postes *96* (Headquarters 33 Army Corps) January 1919 - January 1926 (Bonn) 1¢ ‘HH & Gila tt Tessar Votamdonny . eter _ Dey, Qu A Auk (4s as Hfodarne © tr, nk vou, ye tim ts lees otra, [wate ee a be & & & pe ve ee eee ity Heme fen choot Nansnbs — topent Ballas Vola antes erro da Poe 4% 14) ee fam, Promcensier dae fodaras Famtycnf 30 AUGUST 1926 Free-frank view-card sent to Saintes, France. Postal Armees *191* (128" Infantry Division) January 1919 - November 1929 (Diren) FRENCH FORCES Occupation of the Rhine & Ruhr River Ports In conjunction with the Versailles Peace Treaty, the World War | European Allies on 29 January 1921 determined Germany's reparations to be 226 Billion Gold Marks to be paid over a forty-two year period. SINCE GERMANY DID NOT PROMPTLY MAKE PAYMENT OF THE FIRST REPARATIONS INSTALLMENT, FRENCH & BELGIAN TROOPS SUBSEQUENTLY OCCUPIED THE RHINE & RUHR RIVER PORTS AT DUSSELDORF, DUISBURG & RUHRORT ON 8 MARCH 1921 ATTEMPTING TO FORCE PAYMENT. FRENCH CIVILIAN OCCUPATION FORCE EMPLOYEE MAIL 12 NOVEMBER 1923 Reply-mail cover (front) sent to Paris, France. Tresor et Posfes *3* (38" Division) May 1921 - August 1925 (Dusseldorf) POSTAGE DUE MAIL TO ENGLAND 9 FEBRUARY 1923 Soldiers’ mail to England sent by French Occupation Forces at this time required franking. View-card mail sent to London, England. Tresor ef Postes *3* (38" Division) May 1921 - August 1925 {Neuss & Dusseldorf} Postage Due: 15 Centime = 12 Pence Required Franking + 1% Pence Penalty FRENCH FORCES Occupation of the Ruhr Industrial Area Occupation of the Rhine and Ruhr River Ports in March 1921 to force German reparations payments failed, resulting in further leverage through FRENCH & BELGIAN OCCUPATION OF THE ENTIRE RUHR INDUSTRIAL AREA ON 11 JANUARY 1923 INCLUDING ESTABLISHMENT OF A CUSTOMS-BORDER LEVYING DUTIES BETWEEN IT WITH THE REST OF GERMANY. FRENCH OCCUPATION SUPPLY DEPOT ESTABLISHED AT COLOGNE 25 OCTOBER 1924 Ruhr Occupation printed-matter cover, postmarked at Cologne, sent to Dollar Bay, Michigan, USA. “Postes Armees Entrepot Cologne” (“Army Post Office Cologne Supply Depot”) Cachet Mark: “U.S.A. Amerique” 15 Centimes.. UPU International Printed-Matter Rate for up to 50 grams. INFANTRY BRIGADE STATIONED AT DUISBURG (RUHR) Vothmannaweg 26 Telefon 1455 9 MARCH 1923 Free-frank view-card sentto Vincennes, France. Tresor ef Postes *207* (255" Infantry Brigade) May 1921- August 1925 (Duisburg) Verlag Vietoria-Drogerie A. Manse, Oberhausen Ith., FRENCH FORCES Occupation of the Ruhr Industrial Area Bochum & Dortmund Corbett t 27 ty ? 1 oe i oe 23 JUNE 1924 Free-frank view-card sent to Pantere, France. “Postes aux Armees woe" (3'¢ Infantry Division) (27mm Dater Dial) ‘ January 1923 - : 5 October 1924 (Dortmund) t ate he 0 Ze 18 JANUARY 1923 Free-frank view-card sent to Les Mureaux, France. “Tresor ef Postes *23*” (40" Infantry Division) (23mm Dater Dial) January 1923 - September 1924 (Bochum-Weiimar 2 JUNE 1925 Free-frank cover, sent to Schirmeck, France. “Postes aux Armees *27*" (3° Infantry Division) (27mm Dater Dial) January 1923 - August 1925 (Bochum) FRENCH FORCES GERMAN TELEGRAPH MESSAGE FORM-CLIP 4 MAY 1923 French-franked message form-clip, postmarked “Dusseldorf *T.A. b” (“Dusseldorf Telegraph Department”) 195 Centime.. Telegraph fee Occupation of the Ruhr Industrial Area .. Dusseldorf Central Telegraph Office In an additional act to extract more reparations from Germany, FRENCH FORCES OCCUPIED THE DUSSELDORF CENTRAL TELEGRAPH OFFICE ON 21 FEBRUARY 1923, remaining there until late in that year, retaining all payments for telegraph messages. t 14052 50" FRENCH TELEGRAPH UNIT DEPLOYMENT AT DUSSELDORF 12 DECEMBER 1923 Free-frank view-card sent to Le Cateau, France. Tresor et Postes *3* Cachet Mark: (50" Milifary Telegraph Unit.. Rhineland Occupation) (Dusseldorf) FRENCH FORCES Occupation of the Ruhr Industrial Area .. Seizure & Administration of the Railway System Along with occupation of the Ruhr & control of telegraph operations, FRENCH FORCES EXPROPRIATED RAILWAY STOCK AND HENCEFORTH ADMINISTERED THE ENTIRE RAILWAY SYSTEM IN THE RUHR, as part of their reparation collection efforts. MILITARY TRAIN SQUADRON MAIL 23 FEBRUARY 1923 | Free-frank view-card sent to Lebeilly par Corbie, France. “Tresor et Postes *77*” January 1919 - June 1930 (Mainz Headquarters of the French Rhine Army) Cachet Mark: “30" Military Train Squadron” FRENCH RHINELAND ARMY — RAILWAY COMMISSION UNIT 23 AUGUST 1923 Free-frank view-card sent to Guaure Railway Station, France. “Tresor ef Postes *31*" January 1919- June 1930 (3 & 4! French Cavalry Divisions & 34 Senegal Brigade Worms} Cachet Mark: “French Rhineland Army - Railway Commission” INTERALLIED RHINELAND COMMISSION Coblenz Headquarters Along with signing of the Peace Treaty of Versailles’ on 28 June 1919, German authorities also agreed to a “Rhineland Agreement”, granting Allied occupation of the Rhineland for up fo fifteen years. TO ADMINISTER ALLIED OCCUPATION OF THE RHINELAND, AN “INTERALLIED RHINELAND COMMISSION OF CONTROL” WAS ESTABLISHED AT COBLENZ. Le ae ea HAUTE COMMISSION INTERALLIEE dears DES TERRITOIRES RHENANS ~ 3 JUNE 1920 Free-frank registered cover, postmarked at Coblenz, sent from the ‘Belgian Rhineland Commission’ to a Belgian Military Office at Brussels. Validity Cachet Mark: “Senior Inferallied Rhineland Commission .. Belgian Office” (authorization signature: “Waferblec”) INTERALLIED RHINELAND COMMISSION Armaments Sub-Commission OFFICIAL REGISTERED MAIL THROUGH BRITISH MILITARY POST OFFICE 2 MAY 1921 Registered official-mail cover, postmarked at British A.P.O. ‘GR’ at Cologne (British Rhineland Bridgehead), sent to the Royal Garrison at Dover, England, via ‘Air Service B’ flown by R.A.F. 12 Squadron .. Cologne-Lympne. Arrival Postmark: (Reverse) “Dover, 4 May 1921” Validity Cachet Mark: “Interallied Armaments Sub-Commission of Control” 4 Pence.. Registration fee .. only applicable. INTERALLIED RHINELAND COMMISSION Armaments Sub-Commission (Coiogne District) NON-OFFICIAL MAIL COLOGHE-DISTRICT.COM- WITLEE ARMAMENTS BB pei : OH OF CONTROL | er ee at p i bps onpm 4 FEBRUARY 1920 Free-frank non-official mail view-card, postmarked at British A.P.O. ‘S.40’ at Cologne (British Rhineland Bridgehead), sent te Woodbridge, England. Validity Cachet Mark: “Cologne District Committee Armaments .. Interallied Sub-Commission of Control” INTERALLIED RHINELAND COMMISSION Belgian Reparations Commission Under the Treaty of Versailles, THE EUROPEAN ALLIES WERE TO RECEIVE EXTENSIVE REPARATIONS FROM GERMANY as compensation for war damage and losses incurred by them. 17 JULY 1920 Free-frank official-mail cover, postmarked at Crefeld, sent from the Belgian Reparations Commission to a German Textile Plant at Rheydt. Validity Cachet Mark: “Belgian Army of Occupation.. Reparations Commission” INTERALLIED RHINELAND COMMISSION Belgian Reparations Commission OFFICIAL BELGIAN ARMY REPARATIONS OFFICE MAIL THROUGH THE MILITARY POSTAL SYSTEM 12 JUNE (1920) Free-frank official-mail cover, postmarked at Aachen, sent from the Belgian Army Reparations Commission to Belgian Army Headquarters in Belgium. Validity Cachet Mark: “Belgian Army of Occupation... Reparations Office” INTERALLIED RHINELAND COMMISSION Railway Control Commission JOINT OFFICIAL GERMAN & INTERALLIED RAILWAY COMMISSION MAIL 1 JULY 1919 Free-frank official-mail cover, postmarked at Mainz (French Rhineland Bridgehead), sent to a German railway branch office. Validity Cachet Mark: (purple ink) “Interallied Railway Commission of Control” INTERALLIED RHINELAND COMMISSION High Commission Mail (British Department) OFFICIAL MAIL High Commission Mail sent to countries other than member countries including Germany required proper UPU-Rate postage. 6 JULY 1921 Official-mail cover, sent through the German Post Office at Coblenz, to Copenhagen, Denmark. Validity Cachet Mark: “Interallied Rhineland High Commission — British Department” 120 Pfennig.. UPU International letter-Rate for mail up to 20 grams. (1 April 1921 - 1 January 1922) INTERALLIED RHINELAND COMMISSION High Commission Mail (British Department) NON-OFFICIAL MAIL Un- official High Commission Mail sent by staff members could be sent through one of the Allied military post offices albeit properly rate-franked. 21 DECEMBER 1927 Un-official-mail cover, sent through the British Military Post Office at Wiesbaden (Post Office moved from Cologne in 1926), to Cheltenham, England. Postmark: “Army Post Office $.40 .. 5 ..” January 1926 - December 1929 Validity Cachet Mark: “interallied Rhineland high Commission - Brifish Department” 1‘ Pence.. Single-weight mail to the United Kingdom. INTERALLIED RHINELAND COMMISSION High Commission Mail (French Department) OFFICIAL MAIL The French High Commission, located in the City of Speyer, French-Occupied Bavarian Palatinate, sent its mail through the French Military Post Office System. H.C. 1. T.R. DELEGATION SUPERIEURE DE SPIRE PROVINCE DU PALATINAT Sear Monsieur Le Seuclx Cl obec. ae fe e 13 DECEMBER 1922 Free-frank official- mail cover, sent from Speyer, postmarked at Neustadt/a.d. Hardt (Bavarian Palatinate), to Paris, France. Postmark: “Tresor et Postes *25*” (Headquarters Post Office of the 32°¢ Army Corps & Aviation Center) (Neustadt a.d. Hardt) Validity Cachet Mark: “H.C.LT.R Province du Palatinat” INTERALLIED RHINELAND COMMISSION Aeronautical Commission (British Department) COURIER SERVICE COMMISSION MAIL TO ENGLAND THE INTERALLIED AERONAUTICAL COMMISSION WAS LOCATED IN BERLIN WITH MAIL MOVED BY BRITISH COURIER TO THE RHINELAND, with forwarding through the British Military Post Office, if sent to the United Kingdom. 13 APRIL 1921 Berlin-origin cover, sent by courier to the Rhineland, then through the British Military Post Office to London, England. Postmark: “Army Courier Office B 55” Validity Cachet Mark: “Interallied Aeronautical Commission of Control” 2 Pence.. Army Courier Universal-Rate One of four cover examples known. INTERALLIED RHINELAND COMMISSION In-Bound Commission-Related Mail IN-BOUND MAIL FROM UN-OCCUPIED GERMANY OR ABROAD to the French Occupation areas of the Interallied Commission of Control WAS CENSORED BY THE FRENCH MILITARY OR THE COMMISSION ITSELF. INBOUND CENSORED — z —— H.C.LT.R. MAIL 20 JANUARY 1921 Inbound civilian hoa. f emia wks cover, postmarked at : "Rertin, Mee a ferrn ir pane = : Professor Dr. Otto Mohr Interallied = Commission j LS A upon arrival at eee os // : / Ludwigshafen, s x a , ji, a | z French-Occupied — ~~ f\ Cc, Zone. 2 vi ge) ¥ 40 Pfennig.. aa 5 Domestic German S Ludwigs single-weight IOs fe A ea oe Ve (20 grams) =) letter-rate. iS sea Wohlerstr. 16 b =. (6 May 1920 - i 1 April 1921) aan Later | rt k 5 Oe Vo Cox | b AMZ Lack. ae J eayrece oe os i Ee ober | Spaces | ee. UL Ae | | L L INBOUND USA-ORIGIN RE-DIRECTED H.C.LT.R. MAIL 25 FEBRUARY 1922 Free-frank USA-Origin view-card sent from Denver, Colorado, to a member of the Commission at the City of Worms, censored by the French Military Post Office upon arrival, re-directed to Mainz. Cachet Mark: “Correspondence acheminee par la Poste allemande - Adresse irreguliere” (“German Post Office redirected mail having a revised address") GERMAN MAIL Regulated & Restricted Mail (Belgian Zone) In an apparent effort to intimidate the German public, BELGIAN AUTHORITIES RESTRICTED INBOUND MAIL TO ONLY PROPERLY LABELED “BUSINESS MAIL” FROM UNOCCUPIED GERMANY 17 MAY — 1 OCTOBER 1919. RESTRICTED & RETURNED MAIL 13 JUNE 1919 Advertising cover, postmarked “Rudolfsfadt" (unoccupied Germany). sent to a private party at “Aachen-Burischeid” (Belgian Occupied), Interrupted at Diisseldorf for return to sender. Cachet Mark: “Private Mail not Permitted... Business Mail must be indicated as ‘Geschdaftsbrief’ (Business Letter) 15 Pfennig.. (10 Pfg. Postage + 5 Pig War Tax) Domestic single-weight (20 grams) letter-rate. (1 August 1916 - 1 October 1919) GERMAN MAIL Regulated & Restricted Mail (French Zone) French Authorities had various mail restrictions, one of which was RESTRICTING NEWSPAPER MAIL TO BE SENT TO NON-OCCUPIED GERMANY BETWEEN JANUARY — 1 OCTOBER 1919. RESTRICTED & RETURNED NEWSPAPER MAIL 23 FEBRUARY 1919 Newspaper wrapper, postmarked at Wiesbaden (French Occupied), sent to Darmstadt (Unoccupied Germany), return label applied at Wiesbaden .. “Refurn to sender! Forwarding not permitted.. Wiesbaden 1 (Post Office)" GERMAN MAIL In-Bound Newspaper Mail (French & American Zones) Despite restrictions on certain mail categories, IN-BOUND NEWSPAPER MAIL WAS INITIALLY PERMITTED IN THE FRENCH & AMERICAN ZONES, albeit military censored. __ Se ——— FRENCH-ZONE IN-BOUND NEWSPAPER MAIL N @ ee cs 4 Oa 341 MARCH 1919 Newspaper (Zeifung”) S, wrapper, postmarked % : - Jf. ey ae at Berlin (unoccupied), YOR into j Daa of eee aff os sent to the ; oe . “Pfdlzischer Bank”, ( : eee censored at Kaiserslautern (French occupied) Censor Mark: “Controlé” AMERICAN-ZONE IN-BOUND NEWSPAPER MAIL Censor Mark “U.S. No. 272”: (Reverse) 25 JANUARY 1919 Newspaper (“Zeifung”) wrapper, postmarked at Ludwigslust (unoccupied Germany) sent to & censored (re-purple ink) at Trier (American occupied). GERMAN MAIL Parcel Post to Unoccupied Germany THE ALLIES ESTABLISHED A CUSTOMS BORDER BETWEEN THE OCCUPIED ZONES AND THE BALANCE OF GERMANY with commerce between the two areas subject fo Customs documentation and duties, collected by the Allies for reparations. a C4 = ; 4 ZL 2D see ee See Fr 4 (ess 7 as Wacnabme von 186 yay pf. {dre Vlark ty Bt (4.18) COD PARCEL-POST-EXPRESS CARD CUSTOMS DUTY APPLICABLE 24 JUNE 1920 10-kilo parcel card, postmarked at Mainz (French Occupied Zone), sent by express to Chemnitz/Saxony (Unoccupied Germany), with Customs mark on out-bound (front) and Customs mark upon arrival (Reverse). Arrival Postmark: “Chemnitz, 29 June 1920” 800 Pfennig.. 400 Pfg .. Parcel Rate for 10-Kilo Parcel + 300 Pfg .. Express Mail Surcharge + 100 Pfg .. COD Collection Fee (6 May 1920 - 1 April 1921) Rev GERMAN MAIL 1918 Military Censorship (American Zone) Prior to establishment of formal American censorship units having their own hand-stamps, MILITARY CENSORS APPLIED THEIR HERETOFORE OFFICERS’ CENSORSHIP HAND-STAMP “A.E.F. Passed as Censored” TO OUTGOING AMERICAN-ZONE ‘GERMAN MAIL’. MAILTO BRITISH-OCCUPIED RHINELAND ZONE 24 DECEMBER 1918 Military-censored postal stationery card, postmarked at Trier, sent to Ménchen-Gladbach. 10 Pfg.. Domestic long-distance postcard-rate. MAILTO FRENCH-OCCUPIED & | RE-ANNEXED ALSACE 27 DECEMBER 1918 Military-censored New Year's Greeting Card, postmarked aft Trier, sent to Strassburg in French re-annexed Alsace Province. | 5 Pfennig... Printed-matter | postcard-rate m. (less than ten words of text) f \ “tue Bee ages +2 GERMAN MAIL 1919 Military Censorship (American Zone) Inbound closed letter mail from unoccupied Germany into the American Zone was permitted, albeit MAIL WAS OPENED, CENSORED AND RESEALED BY THE AMERICAN MILITARY CENSOR INBOUND BAVARIAN-ORIGIN MAIL TO THE AMERICAN ZONE BY U.S. MILI INBOUND OPENED, CENSORED & RESEALED MAIL FROM UNOCCUPIED GERMANY 6 MARCH 1919 Military-censored cover, postmarked at Niirmberg (unoccupied Bavaria) sent to Coblenz (American occupied) 15 Pfennig.. Domestic single-weight (20 grams) long-distance letter-rate. (1 August 1916 - 1 October 1919) GERMAN MAIL 1919 Military Censorship - Trier (American Zone) EARLY AMERICAN CENSORSHIP OF GERMAN INBOUND MAIL TO ALL AMERICAN-ZONE DESTINATIONS TOOK PLACE AT TRIER REGISTERED INBOUND MAIL FROM BELGIAN- OCCUPIED CITY OF NEUSS 6 MAY 1919 Inbound, registered, military-censored cover, postmarked at Neuss (Belgian occupied) sent to Trier (American occupied) having the War Invalid Semi-Postal stamps as franking (1 May .. First Day). Arrival Postmark: (Reverse) “Trier *le, 8 May 1919” 35 Pfennig.. 15 Pfg.. Domestic single-weight (20 grams) long-distance letter-rate + 20 Pfg.. Registration fee. (1 August 1916 - 1 October 1919) GERMAN MAIL 1919 Military Censorship - Trier (American Zone) ALL OUTBOUND LETTER-MAIL HAD TO BE SUBMITTED ‘UNSEALED’ FOR INSPECTION, CENSORSHIP & SUBSEQUENT FORWARDING. OUTBOUND REGISTERED MAIL TO UNOCCUPIED BAVARIA OUTBOUND REGISTERED MAIL TO BAVARIA 6 MARCH 1919 Military-censored cover, postmarked at Trier, sent to Deisenhofen (unoccupied Bavaria) 35 Pfennig.. 15 Pfg.. Domestic single-weight (20 grams) long-distance letter-rate + 20 Pfg.. Registration fee. (1 August 1916 - 1 October 1919} GERMAN MAIL American Censorship 1919 (U.S. 371’ Trier) Early censorship, using military officers’ hand-stampers, took place at the American Advance-Headquarters at Trier. UPON RECEIPT OF NEW FORMAL CENSOR MARKERS, THE FORMER MILITARY HAND-STAMPS WERE NO LONGER USED. VERTICAL ‘371° CENSOR MARKING (Red-Purple Ink) 27 JANUARY 1919 Censored commercial cover, postmarked at Trier, sent to Saarbriicken. Since this mail was not submitted unsealed, it was censor-opened & resealed. 15 Pfg.. Domestic long- distance single- weight (20 grams) Letter-Rate. (1 August 1916 — 1 October 1919) Verlag Carl Poyer, Bitburg HORIZONTAL ‘371’ CENSOR MARKING (Red-Purple Ink) 27 JANUARY 1919 Censored | viewcard, postmarked at Bitburg (American occupied), sent to Berlin (unoccupied). 10 Pfennig... Domestic long-distance posicard-raie (1 October 1918 - 1 October 1717) GERMAN MAIL American Censorship 1919 (‘U.S. 371’ Trier) INBOUND REGISTERED GERMAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL MAIL Berlin 10. Zi if | HORIZONTAL ‘371’ CENSOR MARKING 9 MAY 1919 Free-frank, inbound registered German Government Mail, postmarked at Berlin, censored at Trier, sent to the Mayor of Prim, Eifel Mountains, (American Zone). Arrival Postmark: (Reverse) “Prim, 15 May 1919” GERMAN MAIL American Censorship 1919 (‘U.S. 371’ Trier) COMMERCIAL PRINTED-MATTER EXPRESS MAIL TRANSITING THE AMERICAN ZONE TO UNOCCUPIED GERMANY Herr. Ji... Jobs, Grasa sl 3 4 3 oo 4 B | Z ? 5 VERTICAL ‘371’ CENSOR MARKING 4 APRIL 1919 Express commercial printed-matter, sent to a Hamburg City address, found incorrect upon arrival, and re-directed locally to an amended address. Artival Postmark: (Reverse) “Hamburg, 15 April 1919” 30 Pfennig .. 5 Pfg.. Domestic Printed Matter to 50 grams + 25 Pfg.. Express Mail to City Locations (Validity Period: 1 Oct. 1918 - 1 Oct. 1919) Only known commercial express printed-matter mail transiting American Zone to unoccupied Germany. GERMAN MAIL American Censorship 1919 (U.S. 371’ Trier) COMMERCIAL FOREIGN PARCEL POST TRANSITING THE AMERICAN ZONE FOR UNOCCUPIED GERMANY Bl Ww 318 Luxembourg-gare . Valeur assurée ; Wertangabe » Rembourse: 4 Nachnahme : Expéditeult f WO latbels x A Setieuks @ A He 2 Yor : Lieu de destination t 2 Deameare (evo el unnéco) : Wohnung mt Ne, : Poids 4 _ nel Aer. acta : 2 Gewitht ssi oy HORIZONTAL ‘371’ CENSOR MARKING 20 MAY 1919 Inbound insured foreign parcel post form-card, postmarked at Luxembourg Train Station, American-censored with Customs duty assessed at Trier, ultimate destination Pforzheim (unoccupied Germany). Arrival Postmark: (Reverse) “Trier, 21 May 1919” 136 Centimes .. Parcel rate for a foreign-bound 2100 gram parcel, insured for Marks 900. GERMAN MAIL American Censorship 1919 (U.S. 372’ Coblenz) CENSOR MARK ‘372’ WAS DEDICATED TO CENSORS LOCATED AT ‘COBLENZ’, HEADQUARTERS OF THE AMERICAN OCCUPATION FORCES. HORIZONTAL ‘372’ CENSOR MARKING (Red Purple Ink) 28 MARCH 1919 Censored mourning cover, unsealed printed- matter, postmarked at Coblenz, sent to Berlin (unoccupied). 5 Pfg.. Domestic printed-matter rate for mail fo 50 grams. {1 October 19718 ~ 1 October 1919} Rudolf Even Daun (Eifel) Fernsprecher Nr. 19 An VERTICAL ‘372’ CENSOR MARKING (Red-Purple Ink) 19 JANUARY 1919 Censored commercial postcard, postmarked at Daun (Eifel) (American occupied), sent to Lahr/Baden (unoccupied). 10 Pfennig... Domestic long-distance postcard-rate (1 October 1918 - 1 October 1919) American Censorship 1919 GERMAN MAIL (‘U.S. 372’ Coblenz) HORIZONTAL ‘372’ CENSOR MARKING (Black Ink) 14 MAY 1919 Censored cover, postmarked at Buchholz (unoccupied Westerwald), sent to Coblenz. 15 Pfg.. Domestic long- distance letter-rate. (1 August 1916 - 1 October 1919) HORIZONTAL ‘372’ CENSOR MARKING (Red-Purple Ink) 10 JUNE 1919 Censored commercial postcard, postmarked at Kelberg (Eifel) (American occupied), sent to Berlin (unoccupied). 10 Pfennig... Domestic long-distance postcard-rate (1 October 1918 — 1 October 1919) GERMAN MAIL American Censorship 1919 (U.S. 372’ Coblenz) OUT-BOUND FOREIGN DESTINATION MAIL .. LATE AMERICAN MAIL CENSORSHIP MISSIONARY MAIL TO CHINA 13 AUGUST 1919 Censored postal stationery card, postmarked at Coblenz, endorsed.. “Via America” (“Via Siberia” Route blocked because of the Russian Revolution), sent to a mission in Shantung (Shandong) Province, near Tientsin City, China. 10 Pfg.. UPU International Postcard-Rate. (1 July 1875 - 1 October 1919) Only known occupation-mail example to China. MAILTO AUSTRIA 13 AUGUST 1919 Censored view-card, postmarked at Coblenz (American occupied), sent to Vienna, Austria. 10 Pfg.. UPU International Postcard-Rate. (1 July 1875 - 1 October 1919) GERMAN MAIL American Censorship 1919 (U.S. 373’ Trier) DESPITE ‘U.S. 371’ (31 x 17mm) BEING THE MOST USED CENSOR MARK APPLIED AT TRIER., ‘U.S$.373’ (28 x 17mm) HAS BEEN FOUND TO HAVE ALSO BEEN USED. De ee C154 (20. 1¢) HORIZONTAL ‘373’ CENSOR MARKING (RED-PURPLE INK) 15 JANUARY 1919 Censored commercial postcard, postmarked at Quint (American occupied), sent to Berlin (unoccupied). 10 Pfennig... Domestic long-distance postcard-rate (1 October 1918 - 1 October 1979) Only known example. GERMAN MaAIL American Censorship 1919 (‘U.S. 3 2’ Coblenz) Although censorship of mail was to cease upon implementation of the terms of the Peace Treaty of Versailles (10 January 1920), Allied censorship went beyond that date. Since the United States did not sign the “Versailles” Treaty, LAST AMERICAN CENSORSHIP OF MAIL IN ITS ZONE TOOK PLACE BETWEEN JULY-AUGUST 1919. HORIZONTAL ‘U.S. 3 2’ CENSOR MARKING (Purple ink) 11 JULY 1919 American-censored (at Coblenz), commercial printed-matter cover, postmarked at Nimberg (unoccupied Bavaria), sent to Trier (American occupied) § Pfennig... Domestic printed-matter rate for mail weighing to 50 grams (1 October 1918 - 1 October 1919) GERMAN MAIL American Censorship 1919 (‘U.S.3 _ 2’ Coblenz) Official ‘German Ministry of Economics’ (Berlin) Mail Into the American Zone of Occupation HORIZONTAL U.S.3_ 2’ CENSOR MARKING (Purple Ink) 25 JUNE 1919 American-censored (at Coblenz), official German Government free-frank cover, postmarked at Berlin (unoccupied), sent to Trier (American occupied). GERMAN MAIL Belgian Censorship (Krefeld) Occupation as well as food distribution costs were caried by the German Government. Rationing was necessary since limited supplies were available because of Allied reparation demands. WAIVED-CENSORSHIP OFFICIAL REGISTERED MAIL MAYORAL OFFICIAL MAIL TO BAVARIA 22 AUGUST 1919 Belgian Military waived-censorship at Neuss, official registered cover, from the City Food Ration Card Office, postmarked at Krefeld (Belgian occupied), sent to Hofheim (Bavaria). Cachet Mark: “Commission de Contrél postal Neuss .. A transmettre sans nouvel Examen (Correspondances administratives) L:0.C.A.. De Crefeld” (“Censored without additional censorship by the Military Civilian Mail Censor Office at Crefeld”) 40 Pfennig... 25 Pfg.. Domestic double-weight (20-100 grams) letter-rate + 20 Pfg.. Registration fee (1 October 1918 -1 October 1919) GERMAN MAIL Belgian Censorship (Monchen-Gladbach) WAIVED-CENSORSHIP GERMAN POST OFFICE OFFICIAL MAIL 27 JULY 1919 Free-frank German Post Office Mail, postmarked at Ménchen-Gladbach (Belgian occupied), sent to Friedrichsort (Kiel). Cachet Mark: “Peut étre achemine sans nouvel examen. Le controleur en chef de la Regence de Ddsseldorf” ("May be expedited without new examination. Chief Censor of the Region of Ddsseldorf”) GERMAN MAIL Belgian Censorship (Krefeld & Neuss) GERMAN MILITARY-RELATED MAIL PENSION NOTIFICATION MAIL 13 JUNE 1919 Free-frank German Government Mail, postmarked at Dusseldorf (unoccupied. at the time), sent to Krefeld (Belgian occupied). Cachet Mark: “Censure Belge Conitréle de l'Administration Civ. Crefeld” (“Belgian Censor .. Civil Administration Censor Office Krefeld”) RE-DIRECTED MAIL TO A GERMAN RESERVE MILITARY UNIT OFFICE 26 JUNE 1919 Free-frank German Military Mail, postmarked at Neuss (Belgian occupied), redirected to Pforzheim (unoccupied). Cachet Mark: “No.9 Censure militaire Belge Neuss” (No. 9 Belgian Military Censor .. Neuss”) GERMAN MAIL Belgian & German Censorship (Ménchen-Gladbach & Emmerich) FOREIGN-BOUND MAIL FROM THE BELGIAN OCCUPATION ZONE 12 JANUARY 1919 Civilian mail, postmarked at Goch (Belgian occupied), sent to Amsterdam, Holland (neutral country). Arrival Postmark: (Reverse) “Amsterdam, 17 January 1919” Belgian Censor Mark: German Post Office Censor Mark: f “Auslanderstelle Emmerich Censure ie aren {Foreign Mail Office Emmerich .. Released Iil 14”) Bureau de Gladbach. 10 Pfennig.. UPU International Postcard-Rate (1 August 1916 — 1 October 1919) GERMAN MAIL Belgium Occupied Zone Origin-Mail Police Censorship ORIGIN-POLICE-CENSORED IN-BOUND COMMERCIAL MAIL WITH SENDER’S ‘CUSTOS’ POSTAGE SECURITY CONTROL Effective 8 January 1919, IN-BOUND COMMERCIAL MAIL FROM UNOCCUPIED GERMAN TERRITORY SENT TO AN OCCUPIED ZONE REQUIRED MAYORAL OFFICE OR POLICE AUTHORITY INSPECTION/CENSORSHIP, whereupon the respective office would apply its validation mark on the mail, albeit still subject to Allied Military Censorship upon arrival. 17 MARCH 1919 Commercial mail cover with sender's ‘Custos’ Postage Security Control markings, postmarked at Elberfeld (unoccupied), local police inspected & validated, sent to Belgian Military Headquarters at Aachen (Belgian Occupied Zone). Validity Cachet Mark: “Police Commissioner District IV Elberfeld” (1 August 1918 - 1 October 1919) GERMAN MAIL British Censorship (Cologne) British Military Regulations of 8 January 1919 required COMMERCIAL OR CIVILIAN MAIL TO BE SUBMITTED UNSEALED to the post office for censorship; otherwise such mail would be opened, censored and resealed. OPENED, INSPECTED/CENSORED & RESEALED MAIL utig 6 [) mana 2 i, ~ Deh Be BRITISH ZONE CIVILIAN MAIL SENT TO UNOCCUPIED GERMANY 14 OCTOBER 1919 Cover, postmarked at Céln-Lindenthal (British Occupied), opened/inspected/resealed by British Censors, sent to Berlin (Unoccupied). Re-Sealing Tape Text: “Examined by British Military Censorship” ong-distance letter-rate I Domestic single-weight (20 grams) (1 October 1919 — 6 May 1920) British & Mayoral Censorship (Solingen & Bonn) GERMAN MaAIL ‘DOUBLE’ CENSORSHIP OF GERMAN MAIL OFTEN TOOK PLACE AT ORIGIN & DESTINATION CITIES RESPECTIVELY. ‘DOUBLE’ CENSORED MAIL FROM BRITISH ZONE TO AN UNOCCUPIED GERMAN CITY --- 1919 Bank commercial cover, postmarked & mayoral censored {red ink) at Solingen (British Occupied) with additional British Military censored before being forwarded to Remscheid (Unoccupied). 15 Pfennig... Domestic single-weight {20 grams) letter-rate {1 August 1916 — 1 October 1919) BRITISH ZONE CIVILIAN MAIL SENT cf ; TO HOLLAND I = Sttw ope 4A KS. ‘hb 25 MAY 1919 has ee vdeh 4 Loy ey Viewcard written by a Belgian Soldier, postmarked & British censored at Bonn (British Occupied), sent to (+ hur oon urbe t ban ik w KR bet Antwerp, Belgium. 4 Ube, Arrival Postmark: bw pe be ony (Universal Postmarking Machine) Mule K WIbhH AnN “Antwerpen, Anvers, [ Sy 29 May 1919” | Woe tilde Ser : : 10 Pfennig... Noneotdin Spe — UPU International : Postcard-Rate Henn gent Tm (1 August 1914 - Z ae if 1 October 1719} Exp Jaeschke BPP Ila GERMAN MAIL British Censorship (Solingen) COMMERCIAL CENSORED EXPRESS MAIL SENT TO UNOCCUPIED GERMANY 27 MARCH 1919 Commercial express-mail cover, British censored (red ink) at Solingen (British Occupied), sent to Nuremberg, Bavaria. Arrival Postmark: (Reverse) “Ndrmberg, 28 March 1919” 40 Pfennig... 15 Pfg.. Single-weight (20 grams) domestic letter-rate + 25 Pfg.. Express Mail surcharge (1 August 1916 - 1 October 1919) GERMAN MAIL ‘COLOGNE’ CITY MAYORAL OFFICE CENSOR (Mayor: Konrad Adenauer) 19 JANUARY 1919 Commercial cover, postmarked & mayoral censored (red ink) at Cologne (British Occupied), sent to Heidelberg (Unoccupied). British Occupation Zone Mayoral Censorship BRITISH ZONE-ORIGIN COMMERCIAL MAIL TO UNOCCUPIED GERMANY 15 Pfennig... Domestic single-weight (20 grams) letter-rate {1 August 1916 - 1 October 1919) ‘BONN’ CITY MAYORAL OFFICE CENSOR 27 JANUARY 1919 Commercial cover, postmarked & mayoral office censored (purple ink) at Bonn (British Occupied), sent to Tuttlingen, Worttemberg State. Exp Infla/Berlin GERMAN MAIL German & French Censorship Out-Bound Mail Upon the occupation of the Rhineland, French Forces brought along censor marks which were previously used in France for censorship purposes, primarily a enclosed in an 18-21mm diameter circle. IN-BOUND AND OUT-BOUND GERMAN MAIL WAS SUBJECT TO MILITARY CENSORSHIP GERMAN MAILTO NEWLY RE-ANNEXED ‘ALSACE’ PROVINCE OF FRANCE 21 MARCH 1919 Postal stationery card, postmarked at Hanau (unoccupied), German post office censored (purple ink) at Karlsruhe (unoccupied/transit point for mail fo France) with French military censorship, sent to Strasbourg/Alsace, now again a province of France. 10 Pfennig... UPU International 4, GERMAN MAIL German & French Censorship In-Bound Mail MAILTO GERMANY FROM RE-ANNEXED ALSACE PROVINCE IN FRANCE COMMERCIAL MAIL WITH TWO-COUNTRY CENSORSHIP 20 FEBRUARY 1919 Commercial cover, postmarked at Strasbourg (re-annexed Alsace Province, France), German post office censored (purple ink) at Karlsruhe (unoccupied/transit point for mail from France) and by the French Military (Red Star), sent to Baden-Baden (unoccupied). 15 Centimes... Single-weight letter-rate to Germany. GOVERNMENT-RELATED MAIL 10 JUNE 1919 Postcard, postmarked at Metz ( re-annexed Alsace Province, France), and by the French Military (Red Star), sent fo Mosbach (unoccupied). 10 Centimes... UPU International Postcard-Rate. GERMAN MAIL German & French Censorship IN-BOUND MAIL FROM SWITZERLAND FRENCH CENSORED COMMERCIAL MAIL 19 NOVEMBER 1919 Commercial bank cover, postmarked at Basel (Bale), French Military censored (Red Star) upon anrival at Wiesbaden. 25 Centimes... Single-weight (20 grams) UPU international Letter-Rate. GERMAN CENSORED CIVILIAN MAIL 10 JUNE 1919 Uprated Swiss postal stationery card, postmarked at Nidau, censored (purple ink) by the German Post Office at Freiburg (unoccupied), sent to Mannheim (unoccupied). 10 Centimes... UPU International Postcard-Rate. French Censorship GERMAN MAIL In-Bound Mail A SECOND FRENCH MILITARY CENSOR MARK WAS THE ‘DOUBLE OVAL’ with text “Contrélé Par I'Authorifé Militaire” with censor location number. COMMERCIAL MAIL TO GERMANY 21 FEBRUARY 1919 Commercial cover, postmarked at Savern (re-annexed Alsace Province, France), French military censorship (124), sent to Heidenau (unoccupied). 15 Centime... Single-weight {20 Grams) letter-rate to Germany. COMMERICAL MAILTO RE-ANNEXED ALSACE PROVINCE IN FRANCE Hoftacte 23 JUNE 1919 Postal stationery card, postmarked at Edenhoben, Bavaria, French military censorship at Landau (158), sent to Strasbourg, Alsace, France. 10 Pfennig... UPU International Postcard-Rate. GERMAN MAIL French Censorship FRENCH INSPECTED & RESEALED CIVILIAN MAIL EXCHANGE OF CIVILIAN MAIL WAS PROHIBITED EARLY IN THE OCCUPATION PERIOD, first becoming officially permitted under limited conditions (only postcards to unoccupied areas) on 5 February 1919 CIVILIAN MAIL SENT PRIOR TO PERMITTED VALIDITY 9 JANUARY 1919 Civilian mail cover, Censor Sealing Tape: postmarked at Mainz, French Military inspected & “Contrélé . resealed at Postal Milffaire Kaiserslautern (“38”), : sent to Cologne Pe (British occupied) gc CONTROLE POSTAL WILETE 15 Pfennig.. Single-weight (20 grams) domestic long-distance letter-rate. Kevretee {1 October 1918 -— 1 October 1919) GERMAN MAIL French Censorship FREE-FRANK GERMAN POST OFFICE OFFICIAL MAIL TO UNOCCUPIED GERMANY 5 APRIL 1919 Free-frank official mail cover, postmarked and censored at Wiesbaden (French Occupied), sent-to Friedrichsort (Kiel) (unoccupied). Arrival Postmark: “Friedrichsort a (Kieler Férde), 14 April 1919” Censor Cachet Mark: (“Postal censorship by the administrator for the district of Wiesbaden”) GERMAN MAIL Multiple-Country Censorship American-French-Dutch GERMAN COMMERCIAL MAIL SENT TO HOLLAND 3 JULY 1919 Commercial mail cover, postmarked at Coblenz, having American & French Military Censoring, sent to Amsterdam, Holland, with Dutch ‘release-for-delivery’ mark. 20 Pfennig... Single-weight (20 grams) UPU International Letter-Rate. (1 August 1916 - 1 October 1919) Only known three-country censorship cover. GERMAN MAIL French Censorship (Ruhr Occupation) FRENCH INSPECTED & RESEALED CIVILIAN MAIL IN 1924 Although the Allies intended to cease censorship of out-bound & in-bound civilian mail upon German ratification of the ‘Versailles Peace Treaty’ on 10 January 1920, ALLIED FORCES RESERVED THE RIGHT TO CENSOR, CONTINUING UNTIL 1925. {= Mo eres Apeuenscliahades bibsbresse /- Gay 25 AUGUST 1924 Civilian mail cover, postmarked at Munich, Bavaria, sent to Disseldorf, with Censor Sealing Tape: French Military inspection & “Contrélé resealing at Postal Militaire” DGsseldorf (“202”), (‘Inspected by the 10 Pfennig.. Military Post Office” Single-weight (20 grams) domestic long-distance letter-rate (1 December 1923 - 1 October 1925) GERMAN MAIL French Occupation Zone BAVARIAN PALATINATE Out-Bound Mail COMMERCIAL BANK MAIL TO UNOCCUPIED GERMANY Mail originating in the French Occupation Zone could have a privately affixed label indicating that such mail was being sent fo unoccupied Germany, alerting French censors. Kaiserslautern, den FE Bee 11g Wir iiberwiesen Ihnen heute durch MF tose AEF FE.! im “aly nil BAL. a es Malye Gat < ice bh ey ee ! Vereinsbank Kaiserslautern ein Gen shaft dir. Hafipil, ey jossenschaft m. Sehr. pe Cavers ZAP, Form. 27. 1917 5000. 12 FEBRUARY 1919 Bank postcard mail, postmarked at Kaiserslautern (French Occupied), sent to RUdesheim (unoccupied), Interrupted and censored at Ludwigshafen (French Censor Office). Bank Arrival Registration Mark: “15 February 1919 No. 17283” Censor Cachet Label: “Par l’intermédiaire du Service des Communications d’Outre Rhin @ Ludwigshafen” (“By way of an intermediary communications service on the outer Rhine at Ludwigshafen”) 10 Pfennig.. Domestic long-distance postcard-rate. (1 October 1918 -1 October 1919) GERMAN MAIL French Censorship BAVARIAN PALATINATE OUT-BOUND OFFICIAL CITY GOVERNMENT MAIL Vom Biirgermeisteramt Kaiserslaute. a Par Vistexmeéd:ciro du Service ae Communications doutre Rhin Ludwigshafen. Cee Yas bs Ae tesegt ge weet, ee ao Frei durch Abliésing. STORET SHEERS 26 FEBRUARY 1919 ‘Kaiserslautern City’ Mayoral Office Official Mail, postmarked at Kaiserslautern (French Occupied), sent-to Frankfurt (unoccupied), Interrupted and censored at Ludwigshafen (French Censor Office) Censor Markings: “Contrélé” (“Censored”) “Par I'intermédiaire du Service des Communications d'Oufre Rhin & Ludwigshafen” (“By way of an intermediary communications service on the outer Rhine at Ludwigshafen”) 15 Pfennig. lomestic | -distance letter-rate Single-weight (20 grams) d GERMAN MAIL French Occupation Zone BAVARIAN PALATINATE Mayoral Office Censorship OUT-BOUND OFFICIAL CITY GOVERNMENT MONEY-COLLECTION MAIL 27 DECEMBER 1919 ‘Alsenborn City’ Mayoral Office Official Mail, Money Collection of RM 1.15, from “H & F Rothschild” (Bankers) postmarked at Alsenborn (French Occupied), sent-to Frankfurt (unoccupied), Mayoral Censorship Mark. Artival Postmark: “Frankfurt (Main), 30 December 1919” 45 Pfennig.. 20 Pfg.. Single-weight (20 grams) domestic long-distance letter-rate + 25 Pfg.. Money collection fee (1 October 1919 - 6 May 1920) GERMAN MAIL French Occupation Zone BAVARIAN PALATINATE Court Office Censorship REGISTERED BAVARIAN STATE OFFICIAL COURT MAIL Former monarchy cachet markings continued to be used on official mail after the ‘Peace Treaty of Versailles’ took effect, albeit the IMPERIAL CROWN AS WELL AS WORD “IMPERIAL” WERE EXCISED FROM ALL OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE & CACHET MARKS. Vom hayer. Amtsgerichte Kaiserslautern. in f4 Ub . “bebbiffe 1° py 22 MAY 1921 Bavarian State Official Court Registered Mail, postmarked at Kaiserslautern (French Occupied), sent-to Giessen (unoccupied), with State Court Validity/Censor Mark (excised ‘Crown’ & “Kénigliche”). Arrival Postmark: (Reverse) “Giessen, 27 May 1921” ALLIED EVACUATION OF THE RHINELAND ‘RHINELAND EVACUATION’ COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE 30 June 1930 On 28 September 1928, BELGIUM, BRITAIN & FRANCE AGREED TO EVACUATE THE RHINELAND FIVE YEARS EARLIER THAN STATED IN THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES, with withdrawal commencing in September 1929 and ending on 30 June 1930 “AH Oe) OF FAV) couiren te yGai + General Belgrano} 30 JUNE 1930 FIRST-DAY USE ‘Rhineland Evacuation’ Commemorative stamp issue, postmarked ‘Berlin Charlottenburg 10’, registered view-card mail sent locally. Arrival Postmark: “Berlin Charlottenburg 9, 1 July 1930” 38 Pfennig.. 8 Pfg.. Local city positcard-rate + 30 Pfg.. Registration fee (1 August 1927 - 15 January 1932) ALLIED EVACUATION OF THE RHINELAND ‘RHINELAND EVACUATION’ COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ISSUE USAGE 1 JULY 1930 Second-Day Usage of the ‘Rhineland Evacuation’ Commemorative stamp issue, postmarked at Mainz, onan Illustrated propaganda card. 15 Pfennig.. 8 Pfg.. Domestic posicard-rate + 7 Pfg.. Convenience over-franking (1 August 1927 - 18 January 1932) Text: ‘o Commemorate the Liberation of the German Rhine .. 1930” 18 AUGUST 1930 Commercial cover, postmarked at Wuppertal- Wichlinghausen, sent to City Registration Office, Osnabrick. 15 Pfennig.. Single-weight (20 grams) domestic letter-rate. (1 October 1927 — 15 January 1932} ALLIED EVACUATION OF THE RHINELAND “GRAF ZEPPELIN’ AIRSHIP FLIGHT TO COMMEMORATE THE ALLIED EVACUATION OF THE RHINELAND 6 JULY 1930 TO COMMEMORATE THE ALLIED EVACUATION OF THE RHINELAND, THE AIRSHIP ‘GRAF ZEPPELIN’, flown by Captain Dr. Eckener, FLEW OVER COBLENZ, location of the ‘Interallied Commission of Control’ Headquarters, and dropped commemorative mail. 9/8130, 949 * Po yO) : DR. DR. ING. E.H.HUGO ECKENERSAIE NZ Jer Dey 2 is KUNSTVERLAG GUSTAV EYB STUTTGART - GESETZ } CON rete @ PHOT. LUFTSCHIFFBAU ZEPPELIN FRIEDRIGHSHAFEN A. B, ZEICHNUNG VON GUSTAY EYB + STUTTGART COPYRIGHT 1930 BY GUSTAV EYB « STUTTGART 6 JULY 1930 Commemorative flown souvenir card, illustrating ‘Captain Dr. Eckener’, postmarked on-board the ‘Graf Zeppelin’ with his autograph, and commemorative arrival postmark: Vie t \ Robfens frei,? \a kt er dentine... 2 YS a ES z “Coblenz Free .. Every German fo (go fo) the German Corner” 100 Pfennig.. Flat airmail postcard-rate for mail sent with the ‘Graf Zeppelin’ Airship. ALLIED EVACUATION OF THE RHINELAND “GRAF ZEPPELIN’ AIRSHIP FLIGHT TO COMMEMORATE THE ALLIED EVACUATION OF THE RHINELAND... 6 JULY 1930 Mit Laftse. £ Graf Zeppelin.! Herrn Apotheker Feldhefen.II . UGleaim pert heim .RHBIN§ - COLOGNE-TO-COBLENZ DROP-MAIL COVER 6 JULY 1930 Commemorative flown cover, postmarked at Cologne Airport, sent to Lampertheim after being dropped at Coblenz. Commemorative Arrival Postmark: Commemorative Cachet Mark: (Reverse) (Front) GLEN ; ; - (eal Mit Lufischiff Graf Zeppelin - auf seiner Fahrt in das be- Pa ey Le iA). 3 Hi\ \ Seblens frei,! \4, feder Deuifihe.s. 4 x freite Rheinland beférdert. My ge: “Canied by the Airship ‘Graf Zeppelin’ enfin’ fo the Evacuated Rhineland” hy “Coblenz Free .. Every German to (go fo) the German Corner” EPILOGUE Swede Engagement in the Saar Region 1934-1935 Military units of Britain, Italy, the Netherlands & Sweden temporarily occupied the Saar Region between 20 December 1934 - 28 February 1935 TO SECURE THE PLEBISCITE VOTE SUBSEQUENT TO ALLIED OCCUPATION OF THE RHINELAND. 29 JANUARY 1935 Swede military or civilian service member cover, postmarked during Swede military engagement in the Saar, sent to Varberg, Sweden. Franking: