Virtual Display today 7th 1940 RAF in Iraq

[Chris Grimshaw]

They say variety is the spice of life,

1940 OHMS Cover to Officer in Charge Royal Airship Base, Karachi, India

Originated from Iraq cancelled Baghdad 18 OC 40

AIR MINISTRY POST? OFFICE Official cachet datelined 17/10/40

Boxed NOT OPENED BY CENSOR  B  40

All I can say on this one.  Where we still using Airships in 1940?

Chris

[Alexander Green]

Nice cover.

Posted at the civilian post office at Habbaniya.

[Chris Grimshaw]

Hi Alexander

Welcome to the Forum.

Chris

[Alexander Green]

Thanks Chris  :)

Alex

[Ross Debenham]

Chris, nice cover. I believe those "NOT OPENED BY CENSOR" stamps were banned by the authorities for being totally superfuous.

[Peter Harvey]

Ross,

'banned' by the authorities that implemented them in the first place !

I think these were used by Indian censorship throughout WW2, from late 1939 right through to at least mid 1945.

Peter

[Ross Debenham]

Hi Peter, on page 24 of British Empire Civil Censorship Devices - British Asia there is a transcript of a letter that was sent out to censoring offices on 23 April, 1941 stating that the use of these stamps was extremely undesirable and a letter back advising on 17 May, 1941, stating that use of the stamp had ceased in all censorship stations in India. Now whether this actually happened your guess is as good as mine. Studying the actions of the censors in India I have my doubts.