Ahmednagar Fort is located near the banks of Bhingar river near Ahmednagar Maharashtra. It was built by Malik Amed Shah -I in 1427. In 1596 Chand Bibi repulsed the initial attacks of Mughals but Akbar captured it in 1600 and Aurangzeb was the Viceroy in 1636 & 1650. Aurangzeb died at Ahmednagar Fort in 1707 and the Fort pased on to Nizams of Hyderabad from 1724 to 1759. Shivaji invaded Ahmednagar in 1657 & 1665.
The Marathas were occupants of Fort from 1759-1803.The Scindias imprisoned Nana Phadanvis, Peshwa diplomat in Ahmednagar Fort. In 1803 during the Second Anglo-Maratha War Arthur Wellesley defeated Maratha Forces and East India Company occupied the Fort and later the British.
The British rulers imprisoned Jawahar Lal Nehru, Abdul Kalam Azad and Sardar Patel during 1942 Quit India Movement. During this period Nehru penned down “Discovery Of India” in Ahmednagar Fort. Abdul Kalam Azad also compiled his “Ghubar-e-Khatir”(Sallies of Mind) -an acclaimed “Epistolary Essays” of Urdu Literature.
After Independence this Fort is being looked after by Indian Army ( Armoured Corps).
A Special cover was released on 30 Jan 2017 on Ahmednagar Fort at Pune.
Battle of Jerusalem 1917 -Allenby enters Jerusalem – Stamps of Israel 2017.
Field Marshal Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, Ist Viscount Allenby ,GCB,GCMG,GCVO (23 April 1861- 14 May 1936) was an English soldier and British Imperial Governor. He fought in the Second Boer War and also in First World War in which he led the British Empire’s Egypt Expeditionary Force (EEF) during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign against the Ottoman Empire in the conquest of Palestine.
Battle of Jerusalem
Allenby arrived at Battle front in Jun 1917 and received a telegram from his wife on 31st Jul 1917 that his only son Lieutenant Michael Allenby (Royal Horse Artillery) was killed in action.He kept his personal loss and grief to himself and started his campaign .
The Two Sergeants (Shown in Stamp)
The City of Jerusalem surrendered on 09 Dec 1917. The Mayor of Jerusalem Hussein Salim al-Husseini,attempted to deliver the Ottoman Governor’s letter of Surrender to Two British Sergeants James Sedgewick & Frederick Hurcomb of 2/19th Battalion,London Regiment just outside Jerusalem. The Two Sergeants scouting ahead of Allenby’s main force refused to take the letter which was eventually accepted by CF Watson commanding the 180th Brigade.
The text of Surrender decree signed by Izzat,the Mutasariff of Jerusalem mentioned the hope to Allenby that his forces would protect Jerusalem the way the have protected it for Five hundred years .
General Allenby entering Jerusalem on Foot (Shown on Stamp)
At noon on 11 Dec 1917 General Allenby dismounted and entered Jerusalem on Foot through the Jaffa Gate.He did this out of respect for the status of Jerusalem as the Holy City important to Judaism,Christianity and Islam (as mentioned in his Proclamation of Martial Law).Thepeople of Jerusalem saw it as a sign of Modesty.
He also mentions in his report that he and his staff with mission heads and military attaches of France,Italy and USA entered the city on foot and received at Jaffa gate by Guards representing England,Scotland,Ireland,Wales, Australia, New Zealand, India ,France & Italy.
He received Christian,Jewish & Muslim Community Leaders to ensure sanctity and protection to all holy sites and even sent his Indian Muslim Soldiers to guard Islamic religious sites.
Allenby was accompanied by one officer and 39 other ranks while entering Jerusalem.These troops were representatives of 10th Light Horse Regiment,New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade troop Commanded by 2nd Lieutenant C J Harris of Canterbury Regiment,men from Canterbury Regiment,Wellington Regiment , Auckland Regiment, Machine Gun squadron and Signal Troop.
Allenby was made a Field Marshal on 31 Jul 1919 and created Viscount Allenby of Megiddo and Felixstowe in the County of Suffolk on 7th Oct 1919 .
Israel issued a stamp on Centenary of this historic Battle 13 Jun 2017 . A First Day Cover is listed. The stamp shows the sergeants,Mayor of Jerusalm and General Allenby entering Jerusalem on Foot. The Cover also features the Allenby Memorial at Jerusalem.
FIRST DAY COVER ISRAEL 2017 – ALLENBY ENTERING JERUSALEM ON FOOT IN 1917 WORLD WAR I
Kargil (OP VIJAY) was one of the toughest and longest campaigns in recent times wherein the Pakistani intruders were crushed by Gallant Indian Forces .Legendary and heroic battles were fought in Dras, Kaksar ,Batalik ,and Turtuk sectors at heights above 12000ft. Point 4875,Tiger Hill and Tololing,”Yeh Dil Maange More ” still resonates in our minds till date.
A Grateful Nation bestowed Four Pram Vir Chakras, 10 MVC’s, 49 VrC’s and 135 Sena Medals on its Gallant,Patriotic,Brave and Courageous Heroes.
Today on Kargil Diwas let’s pay homage to courage,valour and sacrifices of the Heroes of the Operation Vijay.
Army Postal Service has issued a large number of Special Covers related to Kargil .Few covers are listed.
APS COVER ON 10TH ANNIV OP KARGIL – PARAM VIR CHAKRA AWARDEESAPS CVR KARGIL- BRAVEST OF BRAVES 13 JAK RIFLES – TWO PVC DURING KARGILAPS CVR KARGIL- BATTLE OF TOLOLING – 2 RAJ RIF 2009APS CVR KARGIL- THEATRE HONOR KARGIL -10 PARA COMMANDO
First Day Cover on Indian Cavalry – Battle of Haifa – Israel 2018
Haifa Day
The Indian Army commemorates September 23 every year as Haifa Day to pay its respects to the two brave Indian Cavalry Regiments Mysore Lancers and Jodhpur Lancers that helped liberate the city following a dashing cavalry action by the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade. In the autumn of 1918, the Indian Brigade was a part of the Allied Forces sweeping northwards through Palestine in what is seen as the last great cavalry campaign in history.
Captain Aman Singh Bahadur and Dafadar Jor Singh were awarded the Indian Order of Merit and Captain Anop Singh and 2nd Lt. Sagat Singh were awarded the Military Cross in recognition of their bravery in this battle. Major Dalpat Singh of Jodhpur Lancers was awarded a Military Cross for his bravery.
The Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers now represent the 61st Cavalry Regiment of Indian Army.
Israel issued a stamp on 06 Feb 2018 to commemorate the Centenary of Battle of Haifa with Indian Cavalry at Haifa.The Tab shows the Jodhpur Lancers insignia.
The First Day Cover Design Features the Memorial for fallen Indian Soldiers at Haifa.
FIRST DAY COVER -ISRAEL 2018 – INDIAN CAVALRY IN HAIFA.
On 15 My 1918 , in the midst of World War I , a group of Army Pilots delivered mail along the route that linked Washington ,Philadelphia and New York – initiating the World’s first scheduled airmail service.The US Postal Department office took charge of US Airmail service from 12 Aug 1918 through 01 Sep 1927.
In honor of beginning of Air Mail service USPS will release two postage stamps in 2018. The first stamp United States Airmail Blue has been issued on 01 May 2018 commemorating the brave spirit of pioneering Army Pilots. The stamp in blue printed in intaglio features a drawing of Curtiss JN-4H biplane typically used those days.
The second stamp identical to first one except that it will be in Red color will commemorate the beginning of Airmail delivery through US Post office department on 12 Aug 2018.
The United States Airmail Blue is being issued as a FOREVER stamp The stamp designer is Dan Gretta.
The Service Cross Medals – Honoring Extra Ordinary Heroism – Stamps of USA 2016.
The USPS issued a set of four stamps on The Service Cross Medals -Honoring Extra Ordinary Heroism. The stamps were issued on 30 May 2016 . The Medals are
Distinguished Service Cross – It is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of United States Army (Previously to USA Air Forces also). Awarded for extra ordinary heroism.
Navy Cross– It is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a members of United States Navy,U.S Marine Corps (Coast Guard when operating under authority of Navy). Awarded for extra ordinary heroism.
Air Force Cross- It is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of United States Air Force. Awarded for extra ordinary heroism.
Coast Guard Cross– Military decoration of U.S Coast Guard.Established on 15 Oct 2010. For extra ordinary acts of heroism by a member of U S Coast Guard when not operating under the authority of U S Navy.
A Sheet issued is listed below.
THE SERVICE CROSS MEDALS -HONORING EXTRA ORDINARY HEROISM -USA 2016
Special Cover India April 2018 – Canteen Stores Department 70 Years
A Special cover was issued at Mumbai on 07 April 2018 to commemorate 70 Years of Canteen Stores Department. It was started on 01 Apr 1948 for provisioning of Consumer goods to Armed Forces Personnel,Veterans and their families through Pan India network of Depots.
SPECIAL COVER MUMBAI -CANTEEN STORES DEPARTMENT 70 YEARS -APRIL 2018.
