Tag: Military mail

Foreign Postal Operations During the Postal Vacuum Period

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After the Imo Soldiers’ Riot (임오군란, 1882), the “Regulations for Maritime and Overland Trade Between Korean and Chinese Merchants” (조청상민수륙무역장정, 商民水陸貿易章程, October 1882) were concluded, which significantly increased China’s economic influence. Following this, the Gapsin Coup (갑신정변, 1884) created political turmoil in Joseon, while Chinese interference in domestic affairs intensified further. Having lost political influence […]

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Japanese Prisoner of War (POW) Mail

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In general, POW mail was an arrangement operated under the supervision of the camp commander (POW administrator), serving as a humanitarian system that allowed prisoners to send and receive letters. Today, it is widely used in various thematic philatelic exhibits. The basic principles of POW mail were established in the annex of the Convention with […]

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Military Postal Cards Used by the Japanese Army from the Russo-Japanese War to the Pacific War

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When the Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on the Russian Pacific Fleet stationed at Port Arthur (旅順港) on February 8, 1904, thereby igniting the Russo-Japanese War, the Japanese government established the “Regulations on Military Mail” (Imperial Ordinance No. 19) and the “Military Mail Rules” (Ministry of Communications Official Notice No. 6). These measures allowed […]

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Research on Field Post Offices and Postal Marks during the First Sino-Japanese War

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This article, written by Kim Seong-cheol (김성철, 金成哲) of the Korea Collectors Club (한국수집가클럽), was published in the April 2024 issue of Woopyo Magazine. It examines the establishment, operation, and eventual closure of Japanese field post offices and the use of postal marks during the First Sino-Japanese War (청일전쟁, 淸日戰爭). Drawing on both Japanese military […]

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Rare British Naval Mail from the Port Hamilton Occupation

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A notable item of postal history, an 1886 cover from Hong Kong, offers a fascinating glimpse into British naval operations in East Asia. This letter, addressed to London and originating from the British occupation of the Komundo Islands (also known as Port Hamilton), is part of the upcoming Spink Auction in Hong Kong. Scheduled for […]

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Korean War POW Mail: 70 years after the armistice

Anthony Bard5134110 Comments on Korean War POW Mail: 70 years after the armistice

The following is an expansion of two articles which were recently published in the American Philatelist and The London Philatelist. Rather than simply republishing them, they are combined and expanded here to tell a more detailed story. Mail to and from the largest POW components (excluding South Koreans) – American and British – are detailed […]

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A very early post-war philatelic cover issued for the landing at Incheon in 1945

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In line with agreements regarding the planned post-WW2 dismantling of the Japanese Empire reached by the allies at the Yalta Conference in February 1945, Japan would be forced to relinquish control of all the territories it had conquered during the war or annexed prior to the outbreak of hostilities (including Korea). Korea would be divided […]

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ROK Samiljeol Commemorative Military Post Card used in 1952

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Shown here is a military post card used in 1952. The card is a commemorative card, printed to commemorate “Samil Day”. The following extract about Samiljeol is from a 1943 booklet authored by New Ilhan entitled Korea and the Pacific War which was based on a report he prepared for the Office of Strategic Services […]

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Russian Fieldpost in North Korea, 1950?

Anthony Bard20864 Comments on Russian Fieldpost in North Korea, 1950?

Outside the USSR, after 1946 field post correspondence was only used by Soviet troops in occupied territories (e.g., Korea, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, etc.). Registered letters sent through field post offices after 1946 are extremely rare and normally have NO censor mark. Moreover, no international letters sent with Field Post cancellations from the Russian army […]

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Testing the South Korean postal system after first liberation of Seoul

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Shown here are two cards, one sent by correspondent Richard Johnston, the other by correspondent Charles Grutzner, both to their own (postal) addres. Neither were actually handled handled by the US Army-Air Force Postal Service, which means they probably do not qualify as ‘private usage’ in this instance. (See this KP article for the background […]

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Custodian Force, India in Korea 1953-1954

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This cover illustrates the use of stamps overprinted for the Custodian Force, India (CFI). This was a deployment of Indian forces, including the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance unit (which had been in Korea from November 1950) to oversee the repatriation of POWs after the armistice. The CFI was in Korea from late September 1953 until […]

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Postal Stationery presented to the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army in North Korea 1952-3 (Part II)

Anthony Bard4900Leave a Comment on Postal Stationery presented to the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army in North Korea 1952-3 (Part II)

The Chinese People’s Volunteer Army (CPV) had entered North Korea in October 1950, in response to the perceived threat to the year-old People’s Republic of China from the rapidly-advancing UN forces during the fifth month of the Korean War. The swift advances made by the (North) Korean People’s Army after they crossed the 38th Parallel […]

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Postal Stationery presented to the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army in North Korea 1952-3 (Part I)

Anthony Bard5371Leave a Comment on Postal Stationery presented to the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army in North Korea 1952-3 (Part I)

The Chinese People’s Volunteer Army (CPV) had entered North Korea in October 1950, in response to the perceived threat to the year-old People’s Republic of China from the rapidly-advancing UN forces during the fifth month of the Korean War. The swift advances made by the (North) Korean People’s Army after they crossed the 38th Parallel […]

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