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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

 

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.