I collect stamps and postal history in connection with activities in the Middle East, Africa and Dodecanese Islands. Many of the covers involve Indian Forces and I have had problems with identifying the Indian Forces concerned and where operating, through their FPO nos. I recently acquired a superb book, Indian Army Post Offices- Locations and Movements - 1939 to 1947 by Brigadier D. Virk who was in charge of The Indian Army Postal Services in the above areas. This book is essential to postal historians in these countries during WW11.

Indian FPO 144 was in use from 1942/46 in India. It was raised at Delhi in 15.12.42. Then used at Poona (Dehu Road) from June 1943 to August 1943 then at Dhond from September 1943 to 7th February 1946. It was disbanded at Nagpur on 4th May 1946. I hope this assists and I would recommend you try and get a copy via the Internet

I collect stamps and postal history connected to MEF during and after WW11. I also collect postal history of PAIFORCE, the allied forces who occupied Persia and Iraq from 1942 to 1946. This occupation was to prevent Axis Forces taking over the Persian Gulf oilfields and threaten the Suez Canal. Once this threat was removed the Allied Forces then set about supplying military equipment to Russia through Northern Persia and Iraq.

Prior to PAIFORCE being set up there was a small MEF Army in this area. In, 1941 due to insurrections by local populations and politicians in these two countries, it was feared they would ally themselves with the Axis Forces, to enable them to take over the Persian Gulf oil wells and threaten the Suez Canal This small MEF Force then fought actions at RAF Habbaniya, Baghdad, Syria and Lebanon to secure these countries under the Allied influence. These actions in 1941 are set out in a very readable book, Blood, Oil and the Axis by John Broich and published by ABRAMS PRESS. The ISBN no. is 978-1-4683-1399-4. This is a very interesting book and should appeal to all postal history members interested in this rather forgotten area of WW11

Peter and Michael,
Thanks you very much for your messages which certainly gives me information to point me in the right direction. I will try and speak to you by phone about how I obtain this information from War Diaries, this is something I have never done before

I hope this message goes to both of you, this is only the second time I have used the Forum so not sure of finding my way around it and replying.

John Davis's book ' Egypt: From Postal Concession until Suez 1932 to 1956' makes several references to NZ Forces in Egypt- Chapter 23(in Vol.2)pages 322 to 352. I will see if there is any useful references to NZ Forces in Palestine.

Mick Carter  No 1521
07702 862572

I recently acquired an air mail cover, sent from Birnam, Perthshire to a Captain I.E.Gray, British Security Mission in Syria, Middle East Force.[/b] The cover is an embossed GB 2 1/2d blue stamp = a 1/2d green and 1/- brown GB stamps + blue Air Mail label. Stamps bear 3 rather indistinct CDS, one from Angus, Scotland and I believe the date is 12.8.42. No receiving CDS on back or front.

I have tried to find out something about British Security Mission in Syria but on google no trace of any military mission in Syria. Can anyone give me information about this Mission. By 1942 the Vichy French had been defeated in Syria.

Mick Carter No 1521
07702 862572