1940 Third Reich, Germany, Censored Cover from Alsace to the Swiss Center for Prisoners of War in Altishofen, located in the Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland

Germany / WWII Occupations (1939-1945)

This postal item dates back to World War II (circa 1940) and documents the communication between German-occupied France (Alsace) and a military internee in neutral Switzerland. Following the collapse of the French frontline in June 1940, around 43,000 soldiers of the 45th French Army Corps fled across the border and were interned by Swiss authorities.

The Sender was Marguerite Hartmann (likely the wife or a close relative), writing from 7 Rue des... in Altkirch, a town in the Upper Alsace region of France. At this time, Alsace was under German civilian administration and occupation.
The Recipient was Monsieur Edouard Hartmann, a French soldier belonging to the 9th Customs Battalion, 5th Company (9e Bataillon de Douaniers, 5e Compagnie). He was held at the Swiss Center for Prisoners of War in Altishofen, located in the Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland.

Because the letter crossed international borders from occupied territory into neutral Switzerland, it shows strict military supervision from both sides:
The back features a large circular ink stamp from the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW / Supreme Command of the German Armed Forces) with the Reich eagle and swastika, proving it passed a German foreign mail examination office.
The envelope was also opened and resealed with an official trilingual Swiss military censorship paper strip (Geöffnet – Militär-Zensur / Ouvert – Censure militaire / Aperto – Censura militare).
The front is marked “Franco de port” (postage free) and stamped “Zustellen / Kriegsgefangenenpost” (Deliver / Prisoner of War Mail) by the Swiss postal directorate, in accordance with the Geneva Convention exempting internee mail from regular fees.

Provenance: Ex Werbizky.

Состояние: Used.

Cover Censorship, Censor Postal History

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Rare Stamps and Postal History of The World

Auction 58

October 12 - 26, 2026

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