GERMAN POSTAL HISTORY

This page was last updated
18-Feb-2025 06:49

FELDPOST - FIELD POST
KOHLENKLAU - THE COAL THIEF

FIRST DESIGN

The first card shows a soldier's jackbooted foot kicking Kohlenklau out of the house through the cat flap. The inscription reads "Er klaut bei uns auf andre Art. Was ihm hier blüht, ist wenig zart!" - 'He steals from us in a different way. What he gets here is not very delicate!'

1. The example below has a "FELDPOST b" handstamp dated 10.11.44 and was sent from Feldpost station '28481 E'.




2. The following example has a "POSEN 9" handstamp dated 16.12.44.




3. The next example was cancelled at FELDPOST station number 11021 on 3rd Dec 1944

SECOND DESIGN

The second example features Kohlenklau disguised as a soldier with a hand punching him in the back. This time the inscription reads "Und ist er auch geschickt getarnt, wir schnappen ihn, wir sind gewarnt" - 'And even if he is cleverly camouflaged, we will catch him, we are warned'

1. The following example was postally used at Feldpost station '64060' and bears a "FELDPOST f" handstamp dated 24.11.44.

THIRD DESIGN

The third design has Kohlenklau sneaking away with his sack full of stolen coal whilst a German soldier prepares to throw a stick grenade at him. The inscription reads "Wenn er bei uns rumort und stört, ist er als vogelfrei erklärt!" - 'If he causes more and more trouble, he will be declared an outlaw!'.

1. The postally used example below was sent from Feldpost Station '18040' on 14.10.44.




2. The postally used example below was sent from an unknown Feldpost Station to WIEN on 17.01.1945.