NAZI GERMANY
STAMPS
1943
MICHEL 828
STAMP DAY
(Tag der Briefmarke)
This stamp was issued to commemorate the 'Day of the Stamp' on 10th January 1943 in sheets of 50 stamps. There was also a special postmark used just for this one day that depicts the head of Mercury, the messenger of the Gods, facing to the left and inscribed 'TAG DER BRIEFMARKE 1943 - GEMEINSCHAFT DEUTSCHER SAMMLER' (DAY OF THE STAMP 1943 - COMMUNITY GERMAN COLLECTORS). A total of 27 cities used this special postmark . The stamp was designed by Meerwald and engraved on sheets (5x10) and Perf K 13½ x 14¼..
BREAKING NEWS: 18th Jan
The Warsaw Ghetto uprising begins.
MICHEL 829
10th ANNIV of ASSUMPTION OF POWER
Issued on the 26th January 1943 in sheets of 50, this stamp celebrates 10 years of Nazi rule (Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in Jan 1933). The stamp depicts a touchlight parade overlooked by the Nazi eagle resplendent atop the Brandenburg gate. Designed by Klein and produced at the State Printing Office in Vienna, the stamp is Perf K 14.
MICHEL 830
EMPIRE EAGLE
(Reichsadler)
Issued 26th January 1943 and valid until May 1945 on sheets of 100 stamps. Interestingly this stamp was issued to showcase special postmarks. The stamp is rather dull and simple so as not to detract form the postmarks that would be used to cancel it. The stamp could be used as a standard 3RPf stamp or ideally fixed to a letter or card and stamped at the local post office with whatever the special postmark of the day was. It amazes me that a country, now in its fourth year of a major war, and on the retreat in many areas would indulge itself in what would appear to be the non-essential issue of stamps primarily to satisfy stamp collectors. The stamp ws designed by Marggraff and once again produced at the State Printing Office in Vienna on sheets (10x10) and Perf K 14.
BREAKING NEWS: 2nd Feb
The Battle of Stalingrad ends with the defeat of the German 6th Army, resulting in a major turning point in the war.
MICHEL 831 To 842
ARMED FORCES & HEROES' DAY (I)
(Tag der Wehrmacht & Heldengedenktag (I))
This series of stamps was issued on the 21st Mar 1943 with the intention of commemorating Wehrmacht Day and Hero's Rememberance Day. The stamps are very focused on military themes and coincide with the last major vistory for the axis nations in World War 2 (The re-taking of Kharkov, Russia).
The stamps were designed by Meerwald and engraved at the State Printing Office in Berlin (Michel 831, 834 to 836, 839 and 841) and the State Printing Office in Vienna (Michel 832, 833, 837, 838 and 842) on sheets (5x10) perf K14.
A second set of stamps celebrating Hero's Day was issued in
.
MICHEL 843
YOUTH DAY
(Tag der Verpflichtung der Jugend)
This stamp was issued on 26th March 1943 to honour the Hitler Youth and was valid until the end of the war in May 1945. The stamp was designed by Eric Meerwald and was printed photogravure on sheets of 50 and has horizontally ribbed yellow gum. The perforations are K 14 and the paper is unwatermarked.
MICHEL 844 To 849
54th BIRTHDAY of ADOLF HITLER
This series of 6 stamps was issued on 13th April 1943 to celebrate Hitler's upcoming 54th birthday on 20th April 1943. There was a special postmark issued in Amsterdam, Berlin, Braunau, Munich, Nurnberg and Vienna. The postmark is inscribed "UNSER FÜHRER BANNT - DEN BOLSCHEWISMUS - 20.4.1943.' - Our Führer banishes Bolchevism'. Designed by Klein these stamps were printed photogravure at the State Printing Office in Vienna on sheets (5x10) and are Perf K 13½ x 14¼.
BREAKING NEWS: 13th May
German Afrika Korps and Italian troops in North Africa surrender to Allied forces signalling an end to the campaign in North Africa and the defeat of the Afrika Korps.
MICHEL 850 To 853
8th ANNIV of the RAD
(Reichs Arbeits Dienst)
This series of 4 stamps was issued on 26th June 1943 to honour the Reich Labour force (RAD - Reichsarbeitsdienst). The RAD was in effect an extension of the Hilter Youth and although it started as a voluntary organisation by 1943 it was compulsory to join for a minimum of 6 months once the male child had become 17 years old. As can be seen by the design of these stamps the purpose of the RAD was to assit with government building projects such as autobahns as well as military service. Designed by Müller-Rabe and engraved at the State Printing Office in Vienna these stamps were prodcued on sheets (10x5) and are perf K14.
BREAKING NEWS: 13th May
Battle of Kursk – The largest tank battle in history begins. 23rd Aug sees the end of the battle and a strategic defeat for the German Army. Russia now has the upper hand on the Eastern front.
MICHEL 854
The BROWN RIBBON RACE
The 10th Brown Ribbon Race of 1943 was commemorated with the following stamp issued on 27th July 1943. There were two special postmarks as well as a special slogan used for this event. The first postmark was used only on the day of the race, 1st August 1943. Earlier in the meeting, on the 25th July a second postmark was used, again only for the day of the 'German Alpine Prize' race. Designed by Prof. Klein and engraved at the State Printing Office in Vienna on sheets (5x10) and perf K 14.
MICHEL 855 and 856
BIRTH CENTENARY of PETER ROSEGGER
Issued: 27th Jul 1943. The 6+4Pf was designed by Prof. Brunlechner and the 12+8Pf was designed by Fuchs. These stamps appeared on sheets of 50 on unwatermarked paper. The perforation is Comb 14 and the gum is horizontal or vertical and is smooth white to yellowish in colour. There was a special postmark used to commemorate this event.
MICHEL 857 and 858
VIENNA DERBY
Issued: 14th Aug 1943. These impressive stamps were designed by Hans Ranzoni the Younger and were recess printed at the State Printing Works in Vienna. Available in sheets of 50 they are unwatermarked, perforate comb 14, and have satiny, yellowish gum. A special postmark was used on the day of the race, 15th Aug 1943.
MICHEL 859
10th ANNIV of the WINTER RELIEF FUND
(Winterhilfswerk)
Issued: 1st Sep 1943. Valid until May 1945 this von Axster-Heüdtlass designed stamp was manufactured on sheets of 50 unwatermarked paper, printed recess at the Vienna State Printing Works. The perforations are comb 14 and the gum is vertically ribbed or smooth and yellowish. A special slogan postmark was used in conjunction with the anniversary from 5th Dec 1943 through to 19th Apr
in 76 cities throughout Germany.
MICHEL 860 and 861
GERMAN SOCIETY for GOLDSMITH's ART
Issued: 1st Oct 1943. These E.R Vogenauer designed stamps depict St. George and the Dragon from a jewellery box residing in the "Residence" in Münich. They were recess printed by the Berlin State Printing Works on sheets of 50 unwatermarked paper. Perforate comb 14 they had smooth, yellowish gum. There was also an accompanying postcard and special postmark.
BREAKING NEWS: 13th Oct
The new Italian government joins the Allies and declares war on Germany.
MICHEL 862
800th ANNIV of HANSESTADT LÜBECK
Issued: 24th Oct 1943. Founded by Adolf von Schauenburg in 1143 Lübeck became a powerful independent city state (part of the Hanseatic League of free cities) until 1937 when it came under direct German control. This stamp represents a view of Lübeck from around 1500. The building is the "Holstentor" (Holsten gate) built in 1477 and a symbol of the city. The stamp ws designed by A. Mahlau and was printed photogravure by the Vienna State Printing Works on unwatermarked sheets of 50. There was a special postmark used only on 24th Oct 1943 in Lübeck.
MICHEL 863
20th ANNIV of the BEER HALL PUTSCH
Issued: 5th Nov 1943. Designed by Franz Roubal this perforate comb 14 stamp was issued in sheets of 50 from the State Printing Works in Vienna on 5th Nov 1943. The inscription reads "And you still won" referring to the rise to power of the NSDAP in 1933. There was a special postmark used to commemorate this event in Münich on the 9th Nov 1943.
MICHEL 6A
TUNISIA BASED TROOPS
FELDPOST CONCESSION LABEL
March 1943 - This stamp was valid until 13th May 1943 when the German troops stationed in Tunisia surrendered to the British 8th Army. Designed by Lt Roleff this stamp was available on sheets of 100 from the offices of the field newspaper "Die Oase". Perforated 11½ they are unwatermarked and the gum is streaked. An estimated 1 million were printed but over half of these were destroyed and only a few hundred thousand were ever used.
There are a vast number of counterfeit stamps on the market and these should be expertised before buying as they can also be very expensive. Genuine cancellations will have a violet rectangular cancel with the words "Bei der Feldpost Eingeliefert" and another cancel indicating the unit's Feldpost unit. In addition a standard 20Pf stamp was also required on the package.
