Army – Stamp Digest

Centenary of End of World War I – Philatelic rundown of a deadly period

November 12, 2018November 12, 2018stampdigestLeave a comment

Centenary of End of World War I – Philatelic rundown of a deadly period.

A Killing in Sarajevo on 28 Jun 1914 led to a deadly War in Europe from 28 Jul 1914 to 11 Nov 1918. It led to mobilisation of 70 million military personnel and death of nine million combatants and seven million civilians.

The Allied Powers – France,Russia,Britain and USA vs Central Powers -Germany,Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empire were pitched against each other in various battle grounds across Europe and elsewhere.

On 02 Aug 1914 , the 29th German Infantry Regiment stormed Luxembourg City.This was one of the Beginnings of World War I. Artist Pierre Blanc captured this storming in a pen drawing (now part of National Museum of History and Art in Luxembourg) which features on a stamp issued by Luxembourg on 23 Sep 2014 to remind us of the start of World War I.

FDC LUXEMBOURG WWI — FDC LUXEMBOURG -100 YEARS START OF WWI

Zeebrugge Raid – The Zeebrugge raid on 23 April 1918 was an attempt by Royal Navy to block the Belgian Port of Bruges-Zeebrugge. The British intended to sink obsolete ships in canal entrance to prevent German vessels including Submarines from leaving the port and interfere in Allied control of English Channel and North Sea. British Ships HMS Thetis, Intrepid and Iphigenia were used as block ships alongwith Submarines C1 and C3 and 4th Battalion of Royal marines. Submarine C3 commended by Lt R D Sanford was able to blow viaduct with an explosion and he was awarded Victoria Cross for this action. Allied promoted Zebrugge Raid as a Victory and eight Victoria Cross were awarded including a Victoria Cross for the entire 4th Battalion of Royal Marines.

British Forces Postal service a special cover on 23 Apr 1973 to mark 55th Anniversary of Zeebrugge Raid.

COVER DEBRUGGE RAID — COVER ZEEBRUGGE RAID -WW I

Victoria Cross awarded to Royal Naval Aviators for actions in World War I

Flight Lieutenant Reginald ‘Rex’ Warneford VC of Royal Navy was awarded Victoria Cross for his actions over Ghent ,Belgium on 07 jun 1918 by attacking and destroying German Zeppelin LZ37.

Squadron Commander Richard Bell Davies was awarded Victoria Cross for his heroic actions of saving his colleague Smylie at Ferrijik,Bulgaria in his single seater Nieuport on 19 Nov 1915.

Ascension Islands issued a set of stamps on these Victoria Cross awardees on 07 May 2009.

FDC ASCENCION IS VC WWI — FDC ASCENCION ISLANDS VICTORIA CROSS- WWI -NAVAL AVIATION.

Indians in World War I

Indian Army Personnel were awarded 18 Victoria Crosses in World War I in various sectors.

France -Belgium sector (10 Victoria Cross)- including Three Victoria Crosses to 39 Garhwal Rifles

Mesopotamia Sector (06 Victoria Cross)

Palestine Sector (02 Victoria Cross).

Battle of Jerusalem 1917

General Allenby 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.

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.

ISR FDC ALLENBY — FDC ISRAEL -BATTLE OF JERUSALEM 1917 -WW I

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.

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.

IND CAV IN HAIFA — INDIAN CAVALRY IN HAIFA -WWI 1917.

200th Anniversary of Russian Army marching over Alps – Field Marshal A Suvorov

November 8, 2018November 8, 2018stampdigestLeave a comment

200th Anniversary of Russian Army marching over Alps – Field Marshal A Suvorov

Field Marshal Alexander V Suvorov (1730-1800) was the leader of Austro-Russian Army during the French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802).During this war he was surrounded in the Alps but his superb tactical withdrawl in the face of French Forces four times his forces strength with minimum casualties earned him the title of Fourth Generalissimo of Russia.

A Joint Issue stamp with Switzerland issued by Russia on 24 Sep 1999 shows Suvorov with his officers and troops marching over Alps. The Stamp was issued to commemorate 200th Anniversary of Russian Army marching over Alps .

RUSSIA STAMP — A SUVOROV MARCHING OVER ALPS

Ahmednagar Fort – Special Covers -India 2017

September 2, 2018September 2, 2018stampdigestLeave a comment

Ahmednagar Fort – Special Covers -India 2017

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.

Cover no MH//03/2017

SPL CVRS IND ANAGAR FORT — SPECIAL COVER INDIA 2017 – AHMEDNAGAR FORT

Battle of Jerusalem 1917 -Allenby enters Jerusalem – Stamps of Israel 2017.

July 28, 2018July 28, 2018stampdigestLeave a comment

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 .

FIRST DAY COVER ISRAEL 2017 – ALLENBY ENTERING JERUSALEM ON FOOT IN 1917 WORLD WAR I

Kargil Vijay Diwas- 26 Jul 2018

July 26, 2018stampdigestLeave a comment

Kargil Vijay Diwas- 26 Jul 2018

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 CVR KARGIL- PVC AWARDEES — APS COVER ON 10TH ANNIV OP KARGIL – PARAM VIR CHAKRA AWARDEES

APS CVR KARGIL- BRAVEST OF BRAVES 13 JAK RIFLES – TWO PVC DURING KARGIL

APS CVR KARGIL- BATTLE OF TOLOLING – 2 RAJ RIF 2009

APS CVR KARGIL- THEATRE HONOR -10 PARA CDO — APS CVR KARGIL- THEATRE HONOR KARGIL -10 PARA COMMANDO

First Day Cover on Indian Cavalry – Battle of Haifa – Israel 2018

July 23, 2018July 23, 2018stampdigestLeave a comment

First Day Cover on Indian Cavalry – Battle of Haifa – Israel 2018

Haifa Day

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.

FDC INDIAN CAVALRY IN HAIFA — FIRST DAY COVER -ISRAEL 2018 – INDIAN CAVALRY IN HAIFA.

United States Airmail Blue -2018

July 15, 2018July 15, 2018stampdigestLeave a comment

United States Airmail Blue -2018

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.