PROPAGANDA POSTCARDS
(1943)
This page was last updated
18-Feb-2025 09:10
FREE EMERGENCY POST / SIGNS OF LIFE
(1943)
BACKGROUND: In order to help Germans find their loved ones after a bombing raid, the Nazi's introduced a series of free emergency post cards (commonly known as 'signs of life cards') that could be used to determine the whereabout of family or friends. There were three versions which can be determined by the code on the reverse of the card, adjacent to the vertical divider. The State Printing Works in Berlin printed cards with either a '5431 43 2D' or a '21400 43 2D' code, and the State Printing Works in Vienna printed a single card with code '4306 43'.
The cards were available free of charge from selected post offices and Nazi Party offices, for up to four days after the official Armed Forces Report was broadcast over the radio, confirming that a heavy Allied bombing raid had occurred on a particular city. The sender then had up to 10 days to send his request to the local post office.
There were three types of card in circulation that could be used for either civilian or Feldpost enquiries. These were colour coded with either green, red or violet borders.
2. EILNACHRICHT AN
EXPRESS MESSAGE ON: FELDPOST USE
COLOUR: GREEN
These cards were for use by bombed out civilians to send their new address and location to friends and family members serving in the armed forces. They were dropped off at the local post office and then forwarded through the Feldpost system. Cards printed in BERLIN have codes '5431 43 2D', '22060 43 2D' or '19978 44 2D', whereas those printed in VIENNA have a '4304 43' code.
On the front of the card the sender would write the addressee's name and Feldpost number, cards without a Feldpost number were not accepted. Then on the reverse they would provide their own particulars such as first name, surname, street, date and district, followed by a message not to exceed 10 words. Such messages as "Everyone ok, bomb damage minor", or similar were typical. If the card was endorsed with an official party certification it could be used by the soldier to apply for bomb leave.
ABOVE: 5314-43-2D
ABOVE: 19978 44 2D
ABOVE: 22060 43 2D
ABOVE: 4304-43
A similar, but less common version of this card, can be found with both German and Czech language texts which was used in the occupied region of Bohemia and Moravia. These cards bear a '180' printer's code.
ABOVE: 180 printer's code
REFERENCES
1. Third Reich Study Group News Sheet No. 133 and 1342. Michel Handbuch-Katalog Deutsche Feldpost 1937-1945, ISBN: 3 87858 452 0, third issue: pages 173 to 176
