Rear area postal service

Postal Control

The book Laws of Continental Warfare (Kriegsbrauch im Landkrieg), published in 1902 by the Historical Service of the German General Staff and distributed to officers, states in its section on relations between the populations of occupied territories and the invading army:

"There is hardly any need to insist on the necessity of interrupting or suppressing correspondence by rail, post, and telegraph, or at least applying the strictest surveillance over them. The benevolence and humanity of the command will know how to strike the right balance between the demands of war and the needs of the population, and bring these elements into harmony."

Under these conditions, from the outset of the occupation, the occupying forces either banned civilian mail altogether or permitted it under strict postal control, which was not immediately implemented. Initially, mail was left open at the Kommandantur, which then forwarded it to the postal control centres (Postüberwachungsstellen).

Due to a lack of available archives, the precise duties of military postal control centres in the occupied territories remain somewhat obscure. However, a few documents provide insight into their operations.

A memorandum from the High Command of the 6th Army (No. 41740/5453 G.F.P.), dated 28 February 1916, outlines the various responsibilities of its postal control centre:

"A 6th Army postal control centre was established in Valenciennes (P.Ü.St. 6) to examine all postal items leaving or entering the Army zone that were eligible under existing regulations. It was subordinate to the Lines of Communication Inspectorate. Staff were recruited from the auxiliary rear area company under the direction of Captain Hintze, who had previously overseen the postal control centre of the Lines of Communication Inspectorate. The scope of the 6th Army's postal control centre includes:

1.) Examining and forwarding letters and postcards between inhabitants of the occupied zone and prisoners of war, including those in military hospitals or working within the occupied zone.

2.) Transmitting information on prisoners of war and inhabitants of the occupied zone.

3.) Examining and forwarding official correspondence from the French public services within the occupied zone.

4.) Examining and forwarding approved business correspondence from civilians in the occupied zone.

5.) Examining and processing mail from military personnel or civilians held by the post office or other services.

6.) Examining and forwarding telegrams to and from civilians in the occupied zone.

Once examined, mail was sent to its recipient. If the addressee lived in the same stage area, the mail was passed to the Kommandantur of their commune. If the addressee was located in another army’s stage area, the mail underwent a second inspection.

Thus, the Kommandantur always formed both the starting and ending points of the postal control process. The Kommandantur at the sender’s location forwarded mail via the Feldpost to the postal control centre, while the Kommandantur at the recipient’s location delivered it after completing all necessary checks.

Although military postal services were responsible for transporting mail, they were not permitted to apply postmarks, meaning the mail was rarely dated. Instead, postal control centres handled postage cancellations.

The role of the postal control centres was primarily military scrutiny—seeking potential military intelligence or breaches of postal regulations in the rear area. However, administrative services such as the Bankaufsichtsstelle (bank supervision office), Zivilverwaltung (civil administration), and Bergverwaltung (mining administration) could conduct additional administrative or financial inspections. These offices also left control marks on the mail.

The time required for mail delivery depended on the extent of the inspections, the number of checkpoints it passed through, and the circulation conditions at the time. A transit time of at least four days was common. There were also periods when mail delivery was entirely suspended, such as from 4 to 19 March 1918 in the 6th Army’s area.

The inspection process for rear-area mail mirrored that of military correspondence. The primary focus was on identifying military intelligence or any information that could be detrimental to Germany. Additionally, postal authorities ensured that correspondence aligned with "German interests."

The first rear-area postal service was introduced "on a trial basis" by the 4th Army in Belgium on 15 December 1914. In the French-occupied territories, and particularly in the district of VALENCIENNES, the process took longer. An instruction from the 6th Army’s Lines of Communication Inspectorate, dated 29 May 1915 (Befehl VI No. 19061), explicitly prohibited mail exchanges between inhabitants of the rear area. However, exceptions were granted for commercial correspondence, subject to approval by the Inspectorate.

Following Directive No. 54 of January 1917, all postal control centres were assigned numbers from 15 February 1917 onwards.

Three postal control centres successively operated in VALENCIENNES:

• Postüberwachungsstelle der 6. Armee – Under the Lines of Communication Inspectorate of the 6th Army, it left VALENCIENNES on 30 September 1916 for TOURNAI (Belgium). It became Postüberwachungsstelle 40 in February 1917 but continued inspecting mail from the cantons of SAINT-AMAND-LES-EAUX and CONDE-SUR-L'ESCAUT.

• Postüberwachungsstelle der 1. Armee – Attached to the 1st Army, it arrived in VALENCIENNES on 1 October 1916. It was often referred to as the Militärische Überwachungsstelle des Post- und Güterverkehrs der 1. Armee (Military Control Centre for Postal and Goods Traffic of the 1st Army). It left VALENCIENNES for CHARLEVILLE on 18 April 1917 and became Postüberwachungsstelle 36 in February 1917.

• Postüberwachungsstelle No. 39 (P.Ü.St. 39) – Part of the 2nd Army, originally based in SAINT-QUENTIN before relocating to MAUBEUGE and later VVALENCIENNES in April 1917. It remained there until September 1918.

Additionally, Postüberwachungsstelle No. 31, based in Mons, operated under the 17th Army from March 1918 and also monitored mail from towns within the district.

This letter, sent from DENAIN to LILLE, was subject to military postal control by the 6th Army's postal control centre. Upon inspection, it was marked with the official stamp:

"Zulässig Postüberwachungsstelle 6. Armee" (Authorised – Postal Control Centre of the 6th Army).

The postage rate of 10 Pf/10 centimes was in accordance with the postal tariff of 15 December 1914, which applied to letters weighing up to 20g.

ANZIN (6th Army) to CAMBRAI (6th Army), 6th July 1916. Letter up to 20g sent by the Mines Company of ANZIN and examined by the postal control centre of the 6th Army ("Zulässig Postüberwachungsstelle 6. Armee" and "Postüberwachungsstelle 6. Armee").

VALENCIENNES to LOURCHES (1st Army). Paper band surrounding a service letter sent by the VALENCIENNES sub-prefecture to the mayor of LOURCHES.

The 1st Army recovered stamps from the 6th Army which it had modified by changing the "6" to a "1".

Postal Rates.

With the introduction of specific postal rates, the Reich overprinted its commonly used postage stamps to indicate their designated areas of use.

These overprints were specific to each zone.

Stamps overprinted with "Belgien" were used in the area controlled by the Belgian General Government. Until mid-December 1916, they were also valid in the Western Lines of Communication zone. Stamps overprinted with "Cent" were used exclusively in the western rear area.

Reich postage stamps (Germania type, without overprint) and Bavarian postage stamps (Ludwig III type) were valid across all zones. Bavarian stamps were most commonly found in areas where Bavarian post offices operated.

General Government of Belgium

Rear area (Etappengebiet)

Reich

Bavaria

As a financial document, this letter was examined by the LILLE bank control office, which applied the "Inhalt sachlich geprüft" (content checked for accuracy) mark.

Since LILLE was within the 6th Army zone, the letter underwent military inspection by Postüberwachungsstelle 40, as indicated by the "Postüberwachungsstelle" mark.

Upon arrival in ANZIN, located in the 2nd Army's rear area, it was re-examined by Postüberwachungsstelle 39, which applied the "Geprüft P.Ü.St." mark.

The envelope weighed 18g and contained 98 Marks. The postage was calculated as follows:

20 Pf for postage (up to 20g)

20 Pf for registration

10 Pf for insurance (8 Pf per 100 Marks, rounded to 10 Pf)

This resulted in a total postage of 50 Pf.

This cardboard label accompanied a postal parcel weighing 2.550 kg and containing 49,000 Marks. The parcel was sent by the CAMBRAI branch of Crédit du Nord to its LILLE branch.

According to the 1906 postal tariff, the postage rates for parcels sent to France were as follows:

80 Pf for parcels up to 5 kg

8 Pf per 240 Marks for insurance

Given these rates, the total postage for this parcel amounted to 17.20 Marks (or 21.5 Francs).

The franking originally included 78 stamps at 25 centimes each, though it must have comprised 86 stamps to reach the required 21.5 Francs.

The parcel was mailed on 17 November 1917 at the field post office of the 54th Infantry Division (Deutsche Feldpost 721), which was stationed in CAMBRAI at the time. It was registered under No. 1762.

Before dispatch, the parcel was examined by the CAMBRAI Kommandantur and its passport office (Passamt).

Although the franking is incomplete, this example remains one of the largest recorded in the French stage area.

The 1st Army entered the VALENCIENNES district on 22 September 1916.

Its postal control centre, known as the "Militärische Überwachungsstelle des Post- und Güterverkehrs der 1. Armee" (Military Control Centre for Postal and Goods Traffic of the 1st Army), was established in VALENCIENNES on 1 October 1916.

With directive no. 54 issued by the Ministry of War on 16 January 1917, military units could no longer indicate their affiliation to an Army. Postal control centres therefore also had to change their control marks.

For the 1st Army, the word "Armee" was first removed fin December 1916, followed by the "1" in January 1917.

NUREMBERG to VALENCIENNES (1st Army), 16th January 1917. Business mail from Germany to the rear area had to circulate open. This letter has another postal control stamp, reading “Zulässig Militärische Ueberwachungsstelle des post- und Gütterverkehrs 1”.

NEUVILLE-SUR-ESCAUT to VALENCIENNES (1st Army). Letter up to 40 g franked at 25 Pf/25 c (rates of 15/08/1916). The mention “1. Armee” was completely removed.

The 2nd Army arrived in the VALENCIENNES district on 19th April 1917. Its postal control centre, Postüberwachungsstelle no. 39, was set up in VALENCIENNES.

MAING to VALENCIENNES (1st Army). Letter up to 20 g franked at 20 Pf/25 c (rates of 20/03/1917). The "Zulässig Postüberwachungsstelle" and "Ueberwachungsstelle" examination stamps used here are completely dumb.

Letter from LILLE (6th Army) to ANZIN (1st Army) – 19 December 1916

This letter, sent from LILLE (6th Army) to ANZIN (1st Army) on 19 December 1916, was addressed to the Mines Company of ANZIN.

It was franked at 15 Pf/15 centimes, in accordance with the postal tariff of 15 August 1916 for letters weighing up to 20g.

The letter underwent administrative examination by the Kommandantur of LILLE, which applied its inspection mark: "KOMMANDANTUR LILLE TECHNISCHER REFERENT".

Upon arrival in VALENCIENNES, the Bavarian stamps were cancelled by the postal control centre of the 1st Army, which applied its official stamp:

"Militärische Überwachungsstelle des Post- und Güterverkehrs 1. Armee" (Military Control Centre for Postal and Goods Traffic of the 1st Army).

This letter, sent from HAULCHIN to VALENCIENNES, was addressed to the Sub-Prefect of Valenciennes.

It was franked at 15 Pf/15 centimes, in accordance with the postal tariff of 15 August 1916 for letters weighing up to 20g.

The Reich stamps were cancelled by the postal control centre of the 1st Army, officially named "Militärische Überwachungsstelle des Post- und Güterverkehrs der 1. Armee" (Military Control Centre for Postal and Goods Traffic of the 1st Army).

Rear area of the 6th Army towards BRUSSELS, 17th August 1915. Letter up to 20 g examined by the Lines of Communication Inspectorate of the 6th Army (stamp "Genehmigt Et. Insp 6.").

Bavaria did not overprint the stamps used in the staging areas.

An agreement between the German states permitted both Reich and Bavarian stamps to be used on military mail. As a result, these stamps could appear side by side on the same letter. The same agreement applied to rear-area mail.

It is worth noting that the Germans imposed a fixed exchange rate for the franc (French or Belgian) against the mark, set at 1 mark = 1.25 francs. This rate remained in effect throughout the war.

Unlike in the occupied zones of Belgium, the range of postal items permitted for circulation in the occupied French territories was highly restricted. Only letters and postcards were allowed.

As seen, the types of postal items authorised for circulation were highly restricted. However, one category of mail, not explicitly mentioned in the postal rates, was permitted for certain services—declared value letters. These letters followed the German foreign rate of 1906.

The postage rates for letters were as follows:

20 Pf (25 centimes) for letters up to 20g

15 Pf (15 centimes) for each additional 20g

Additionally, the following charges applied:

A fixed registration fee of 20 Pf

An insurance fee of 8 Pf per 100 Marks

From 1 December 1916, civilian workers and their families were required to use postal stationery specifically designated for their correspondence. These postcards were pre-franked at 10 centimes and labelled "Zivilarbeiterpostkarte" (Civilian Workers’ Postcard).

Over time, a total of four different types of postal stationery were issued.

Military examination in practice.

CURGIES to VALENCIENNES (2nd Army). Rear area stamps cancelled by the "Geprüft P.Ü.St" stamp used by Postüberwachungsstelle no. 39.

HASNON (6th Army) to VALENCIENNES (2nd Army). Letter weighing less than 20 g franked 25 c. Double examination.

At the beginning, "Postüberwachungsstelle" and "Zulässig 4. Postüberwachungsstelle" by the 6th Army. On arrival, "Geprüft P.Ü.St." by the 2nd Army.

Alongside the 1st and 2nd Armies, the 6th Army still occupied part of the district. The mail in this sector was examined at TOURNAI (Belgium).

ANZIN (1st Army) to PERUWELZ, 12 February 1917. Letter weighing up to 40 g franked at 20 Pf/25 c. This letter shows the effects of Directive no. 54. Indeed, the "1" of the 1st Army cachet "Zulässig Postüberwachungsstelle 1." was masked and the n° 40 was added in pencil in the postal control centre of the 6th Army, stamp "Postüberwachungsstelle". The examiners of Postüberwachungsstelle no. 40 only put this number during the month of February.

CONDE-SUR-L'ESCAUT (6th Army) to VALENCIENNES (1st Army), 22nd January 1917.

Letter franked at 25 Pf/25 c (up to 40 g, rates of 15/08/1916). Postal control at TOURNAI, 29th January 1917 (stamp "POSTÜBERWACHUNGS-STELLE 6. Armee"). New examination in VALENCIENNES (1st Army) carried out by the Postüberwachungsstelle n° 36 (stamp "Zulässig Postüberwachungsstelle 1.").

HERGNIES (6th Army) to VALENCIENNES (2nd Army). This letter shows a "Zulässig 3. Postüberwachungsstelle" instead of "Zulässig 4. Postüberwachungsstelle".

Each censor examined mail from the same area and used the same postmark. For example, the "Zulässig 3" was usually applied to Belgian mail, whereas the "Zulässig 4" is found exclusively on mail coming from the VALENCIENNES district.

This switch of stamps can almost certainly be explained by a momentary surge in activity which forced some examiners to take on mail from areas they did not usually control.

DOUCHY (6th Army) to VALENCIENNES (2nd Army). Letter franked with 2*10 Pf in Bavarian stamps and 5 Pf in Reich stamps, the equivalent of 25 c (letters up to 20 g).

Mixed frankings, although fully authorised, were not very common.

QUAROUBLE (Staging area of the 17th Army) to VALENCIENNES (2nd Army), 2nd May 1918.

Letter up to 40 g franked at 20 Pf/25 c + 15 c, the whole making 40 c. Postüberwachungsstelle control no. 31 (date stamp "POSTÜBERWACHUNGSSTELLE" and "ZULAESSIG 2! Postüberwachungsstelle X"). On arrival at VALENCIENNES, a further check was carried out by the 2nd Army (stamp "Geprüft P.Ü.St.").

Mixed frankings are very uncommon.

Several communes to the east of the district were in the zone of operations, i.e. less than 30 km from the front. In this area, the local Kommandantur (Ortskommandantur) briefly examined the mail. The Feldpost cancelled the stamps and conveyed the mail to the postal control centre in VALENCIENNES.

MASTAING (area of operations of the 14th Reserve Corps, 1st Army) towards VALENCIENNES (1st Army), 14th April 1917.

Local Kommandantur stamp "Ortskommandantur Mastaing".

Military postal control ("Zulässig Postüberwachungsstelle.") of the 1st Army.

WAVRECHAIN-SOUS-FAUX (area of operations of the 14th Reserve Corps, 2nd Army) to VALENCIENNES (2nd Army), 9th March 1918. Letter deposited at the local Kommandantur (mention "Auf Inhalt und Häufigkeit geprüft" + stamp "Ortskommandantur Wavrechain sous Faulx").

Postüberwachungsstelle no. 39 stamped "Geprüft P.Ü.St.".

The 17th Army, created on 1st February 1918, set up its Lines of Communication Inspectorate at PERUWELZ (Belgium) and took over the MONS postal control centre (Belgium). This Army's rear area extended from the MONS region to the French cantons of ST AMAND-LES-EAUX, CONDE-SUR L'ESCAUT, DENAIN and BOUCHAIN.

Postal entitlements for civilian and forced workers.

Forced workers.

• Allowed to send and receive one postcard per week from their relatives.

• Permitted to receive one parcel (up to 5 kg) per month.

• Allowed to send two money orders per month, with a minimum amount of 5 Francs each.

Free workers under german contract (Rear Area).

• Entitled to send and receive one letter (in an open envelope) of four pages (ten lines) or one postcard per week.

• Could receive one parcel (up to 5 kg) per week, but were not permitted to send parcels.

• Postage rates:

  • Postcards: 10 centimes

  • Letters: 25 centimes

Money orders and deposits.

• Civilian workers and their relatives could send money orders up to a limit of 800 Marks.

• Deposits were accepted in Marks or Francs.

• Only civilian workers were allowed to deposit money in rear area vouchers.

• Money orders were subject to a fee of 25 centimes per 40 Marks deposited.