FPHS - Legacy Forum

General Category => Members Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Ross Debenham on February 02, 2023, 05:02:26 AM

Title: US LIAISON IN NAIROBI.
Post by: Ross Debenham on February 02, 2023, 05:02:26 AM
I attach both sides of a re-used cover initially sent from an unrecognisable APO to "US Military Observer" at Political Headquarters, no doubt in Nairobi. Question one is has any member seen this type of "On Active Service" envelope previously. Also one wonders if there would have been a US Military Observer in Nairobi. The cover was again reused to send an order no doubt to a commercial supplier, and using censor marker 181, which I believe was one of a series issued to West African forces in East Africa. Can any one confirm if this censor markers was used by WA forces.
Title: Re: US LIAISON IN NAIROBI.
Post by: Peter Harvey on February 02, 2023, 04:33:14 PM
Hi Ross,

I can not help out with the censor mark sorry, maybe Jamie Smith can help you through a Facebook enquiry?

I was interested in the address U.S. Military Observer Political HQ E.A. Command, and what a U.S. military observer was doing in EA.

Again I could not find any references to this. Initially I thought he was part of the U.S. Special Observer Group established in 1941, but they were disbanded in 1942 in most areas and there is no reference to them ever being in KUT. I did find some references to U.S. military observers in India 1942 - 1944 as attached to the U.S.Foreign Service.

In this general google research I came across the attached cover and airgraph to the Political Headquarters E.A. Command and thought you might be interested in seeing them.

Regards Peter
Title: Re: US LIAISON IN NAIROBI.
Post by: Ross Debenham on February 02, 2023, 11:07:32 PM
Thanks Peter, I've got a letter to Captain Smith in Harar in my collection. I'll have a word with Jamie about it.