Third Reich
Feldpost Issues 1942-1944
The Third Reich began issuing adhesive stamps for
Military Airmail and Military Parcel Postage services in 1942. Prior to
this, military letters and packages had only postal markings, and they
were not franked by postage stamps. All of these military mail or feldpost stamps are
non-denominated.
Military Airmail Stamps
The stamp shown above (mint and used) (Mi. #1A, Sc. #MC1) was issued on April 18, 1942 for
"LUFTFELDPOST" or Military Airmail letter-franking. This variety was
perforated 13 1/2 x 14, and it depicts a Junkers JU-52 Transport.
The block of Military Airmail stamps shown above (Mi. #1B, Sc. #MC1a) was issued in
1943. The stamp is identical to the 1942 issue, but this later variety
is rouletted, instead of perforated.
Shown above is a Feldpost cover, franked with the
perforated Military Airmail stamp. The script used by this soldier is
nearly impossible to read, but the cover contains a letter that is dated
December 31, 1942. The stamp is tied by a non-discernible Feldpost
postmark, and there is a Feldpost hand-stamp on the lower part of the
cover.
Military Parcel Post Stamps
The stamp shown above (mint and used) (Mi. #2A, Sc. #MQ1) was issued on July 10, 1942 for
Military Parcel Postage franking. This variety was perforated 13 1/2 x 14,
and it depicts the emblem of the Reich.
The Military Parcel Post stamps shown above (Mi. #2B, Sc. #MQ1a) were issued
in 1943. The stamp is identical to the 1942 issue, but this later
variety is rouletted, instead of perforated.
In 1944, the Adolph Hitler 40 Pf. definitive postage
stamp, shown above (mint and used) (Mi. #3, Sc. #MQ3), was overprinted "FELDPOST / 2kg",
for use as a Military Parcel Post stamp.
Also in 1944, there was a new issue of the Military
Parcel Post stamp (shown above) (Mi. #4, Sc. #MQ2). The new stamps were a smaller size,
perforated 14, and they were printed in bright green instead of the red
brown color of the older stamps.
There were other local and unofficial feldpost stamps issued between 1943 and 1945, as well ..... The best known of these are the famous Tunis local feldpost stamps of 1943, showing a palm tree, and the rare Rhodes overprint of 1944. There are also quite a few "INSELPOST" or "Island Mail" overprints on the official government feldpost stamps, which were used in the Mediterranean Area between 1944 and 1945. Lastly, there is a stamp printed for use by the U-Boat "Hela" during March 1945. They are all listed in the Michel catalog.
As with all specialized Third Reich material of this type, authenticated originals are rare, and forgeries and reprints are plentiful! Be very careful when buying any of these local feldpost or inselpost stamps, unless they have been properly authenticated!
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Feldpost Issues - 1942-1944
