Romania Stamps
1943
With the signing of the Munich Agreement in 1938 which ceeded most of Czechosolvakia to Germany, King Carol II, King of Romania realised that the western powers of Britain and France were not going to support him if he stood up against Hitler. Romania and Germany signed an economic agreement in 1939 but this agreement did not protect Romania from German agression.
The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact (August 23, 1939) between Germany and the Soviet union further undermined Romania's position as it secretly ceeded Romanian Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina to the Soviet Union as well as Northern Transylvania to Hungary and Southern Dobruja to Bulgaria all of which were symapthetic to the Nazi's. Following the loss of these territories King Carol II was forced to adbicate in favour of his 18 year old son, Michael I (25th Oct 1921 to 5th Dec 2017).
Although Michael I was the king, power lay in the hands of Ion Antonescu who went on to join the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan on 23rd Nov 1940. From early 1941 onwards Romania was a military dictatorship. When the Germans invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941 the Romanians joined the conflict alongside the Germans to fight the Soviets. The reward for their assistance was to regain control over Bessarabia and Northern Bucovina.
As the tide of the war turned in 1943 the Romanian resistance sought peace with the Allies and King Michael I went on to arrest Antonescu and form a new governemnt on 23rd Aug 1944. Romania had effectively switched sides with the Romanian Army now supporting the Red Army against Germany and Hungary.
Michel 756
"Avram Iancu"
Issued 15th Feb 1943. This stamp comemmorates Avram Iancu (1824-1872), National Hero. The stamp measures 33 x 28mm, is printed on watermarked 7 paper and is perf line 13½.
Michel 757 to 759
"Red Cross"
Issued 1st Apr 1943. These stamps measure 26 x 42mm, were printed photogravure on watermarked 7 paper and are perf K14¼:13¾.
Michel Block 20
"Red Cross"
Issued 1st Apr 1943. This minisheet measures 100 x 60mm and the stamps are imperforate.
Mi 758B
Mi 759B
Michel 760 to 762
"2nd Anniversary of Romania's Entry into the War"
Issued 2nd Jun 1943. These stamps commemorate the 2nd Anniversary of Romania's Entry into the War. They were printed photogravure and are perf K14:14½.
Michel Block 21
"2nd Anniversary of Romania's Entry into the War"
Issued 2nd Jun 1943. This minisheet measures 90 x 65mm and the stamps are imperforate.
Mi 763
Mi 764
Michel 765 to 768
"Issue for Transnistria: Prince Duca"
Issued Jul 1943. These stamps were printed photogravure on watermark 8 paper and are perf K13½. These stamps were originally printed in 1941, as Michel 703 to 705 which are watermarked 7.
Michel 769 to 773
"Refugee aid for Transylvania"
Issued 15th Aug 1943. These stamps were issued to raise funds for refugees. They were printed photogravure on watermark 8 paper and are perf K13¾:13.
Michel 774
"3rd Anniversary of King Michael and Marshal Ion Antonescu"
Issued 6th Sep 1943. This stamp was printed photogravure on watermark 8 paper and is perf K13¾:14¼.
Michel 775 to 776
"Sports"
Issued 26th Sep 1943. These stamps were printed photogravure and are perf K13½.
Michel 777 to 781
"Refugee aid for Transylvania"
Issued 15th Oct 1943. These stamps were issued to raise funds for refugees. They were printed photogravure on watermark 8 paper and are perf K13¾:13.
Michel 782 to 789
"100 Years of Rumanian Artillery"
Issued 10th Nov 1943. These stamps were issued to celebrate 100 Years of Rumanian Artillery. They were printed photogravure on watermark 8 paper and are perf K13½.
Michel 790
"25th Anniversary of the Society of Romanian Engineers"
Issued 19th Dec 1943. This stamp was printed photogravure on watermark 8 paper and is perf K14¼:14.
Michel 29 to 35
"Post Tax Stamps"
Issued 1943/44. They were printed photogravure on watermark 8 paper and are perf K14.
