Serbian Mail to Switzerland Censor Query

[Chris Grimshaw]

Afternoon Team

After an unforeseen absence I'm back

Shown is a Registered Cover to International Women's Information Bureau in Lausanne from BIZERTE, TUNISIE
10 XI 1917. Transit cds 21 11 17

Received in Lausanne 1 XII 1917  Boxed Serbia Handstamp, however the Oval cachet defeats me

Controle Militaire Achemiae Sans Controle No 900

Can anyone shed light on this one please?

Chris

[Alan Baker]

Google translate: achemine sans controle - routed without control.

[Chris Grimshaw]

Thanks Alan

I'm now guessing that it's a French Censor marking, unless of course it's Swiss?

Chris

[Peter Harvey]

Chris,

It is French.

Peter

[Alan Baker]

Would it have been applied in Tunisia or on arrival in France?

[Chris Grimshaw]

Hi Alan

Applied in France I believe, But not sure It's unlike other Marks applied in France.

The Boxed Censor mark which is Serbian was applied in Tunisia. 

Chris

[Chris Grimshaw]

Hi All

Can finally answer this one,  the Oval mark was applied in Tunis prior to dispatch.

Ref

LE CONTRÔLE POSTAL ET TÉLÉGRAPHIQUE FRANÇAIS PENDANT LA PTREMIÈRE GUERRE MONDIALE by Jérome Bourguignat  Page 376

Chris

[Marc Parren]

A rare one though as only 0.7% of all censored covers show this 'Acheminé sans controle' - routed without control. Normal Tunisian censor numbers are 887 to 889