OFFICIAL POSTCARDS
(1943)

This page was last updated
23-Aug-2024 07:15

OFFICIAL P312

BACKGROUND: This series of nine postcards was released to encourage the population to save vital resources needed for the war effort. The first two cards feature a character called 'Kohlenklau' or the 'Coal Thief', similar to the Squander Bug used by the Allies for the same purpose. Kohlenklau appears on P311, P312/01 and P312/02. The remaining seven cards all have variations on a message asking prople not to use the telephone after air raids as telephone services were vital to the emergency services.

SPECIAL CANCEL: NONE

OFFICIAL P312/01

Type 1 cards are inscribed "Faβt Kohlenklau! Verderbt dem Kohlenklau den Spaβ und spart mit kohle, Strom und Gas", which translates as 'Stop the coal thief! Spoil the coal thief's fun and save coal, electricity and gas'.

MORE P312/01 POSTCARDS

UNUSED CARDS

DOMESTIC USAGE

1. This first domestically used P312/01 postcard was posted in BARMSTEDT (KOLST) on 20th Aug 1943.




2. The following domestically used card was sent from BLAUFELDEN (WÜRTT) to TÜBINGEN on 11th Jun 1943.




3. The domestically used P312/01 below was cancelled in VERDEN on 7th Jul 1943 and was destined for the city of BREMEN.




4. This domestically used card was sent to KASSEL on 25th May 1943.




5. The following card was sent from KLINGENBERG to DRESDEN on 29th Sep 1943.




6. The following domestically used example was posted in VIENNA on 15th Aug 1943 and has the two official stamps Michel 857 and 858 issued to commemorate the 1943 Vienna Derby, as well as the official handstamp inscribed "WIEN | GROSSER PREIS VON WIEN" used only at the event.




7. The next example was sent to a K.L.V Lager in Wessabrunn on 7th Aug 1943. K.L.V or 'Kinderlandverschickung' Lager were places were children from the cities were set during the war to save them from bombing. The system was similar to that implemented in Britain during 1940 where children from London and other cities were sent to Wales and other remote areas for their protection.

This card also has a special slogan cancel used to promote the work of the War Relief Charity and is inscribed "KRIEGSHILFSWERK | Die | Heimat | Hilft!" - 'WAR RELIEF | The | homeland | helps!'




8. The following example was sent from MAGDEBURG BPA 7 to LEVERKUSEN on 12th May 1943.




9. Posted in KOBLENZ on 7th Jul 1943 this card was sent to BRODENBACH, MOSSEL. The card has a slogan cancel advertising a festival in LUXEMBURG.

FOREIGN USAGE

MAIN REFERENCE SOURCES

1. MICHEL GANZSACHEN DEUTSCHLAND 2018. ISBN: 978-3-95402-225-0
2. BOREK GANZSACHEN-SPEZIAL-KATALOG DEUTSCHLAND ab 1933. ISBN: 3-87091-060-7
3. MICHEL BILDPOSTKARTEN- UND MOTIVGANSACHEN KATALOG DEUTSCHLAND 1997. ISBN: 3-87858-631-0
4. GANZSACHEN-HANDBUCH DES "DITTEN REICHES" 1933-1945 by FRECH. ISBN: UNKNOWN