Germany Stamps Government Poland year 1943 General Government Nazi Official

Germany Stamps Government Poland year 1943 General Government Nazi Official MNH

During the Nazi occupation of Poland in World War II, the General Government was established as an administrative region under German control. This region issued its own set of postal stamps, which were primarily used for propaganda and functional purposes within the occupied territories. These stamps are now considered significant historical artifacts.

Background on the General Government

• The General Government (1939–1945) encompassed central and southeastern Poland, including cities like Warsaw, Kraków, and Lublin.
• It was a puppet administration controlled entirely by Nazi Germany, established after the partition of Poland by Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939.

Stamps Issued by the General Government

1. First Issues (1939):
   • The first stamps were overprinted German Reich stamps with the words “Deutsche Post Osten” (“German Post East”) to signify their use in occupied Poland.
   • These overprints were temporary until locally printed stamps became available.
2. Designs of General Government Stamps:
   • Many stamps featured imagery intended to legitimize Nazi rule and convey propaganda.
   • Common themes included:
     • Architecture: Prominent Polish landmarks, such as Kraków’s Wawel Castle, were depicted to emphasize German cultural and historical claims over Polish heritage.
     • Portraits: Images of Adolf Hitler appeared on many issues, reinforcing Nazi dominance.
     • Folklore and Symbols: Some stamps depicted Polish folk costumes, but these were often co-opted to portray the “benevolence” of Nazi governance.
3. Language and Inscription:
   • Stamps were inscribed in German and occasionally in Polish, reflecting the occupation’s bilingual administration.
4. Usage:
   • These stamps were used for both domestic and international mail within areas under Nazi control.
   • They also served as a tool for administrative efficiency in the occupied territory and reinforced the presence of the Nazi regime in daily life.

Collecting General Government Stamps

• Philatelic Interest: These stamps are highly sought after by collectors due to their historical context. They represent a dark period of history and are a somber reminder of Nazi occupation and its impact on Poland.
• Rarity: Some issues, particularly those produced in limited quantities or with printing errors, are considered rare and valuable.

Ethical Considerations

While collecting and studying these stamps is important for understanding history, they are often approached with sensitivity due to their association with the atrocities of the Nazi regime. Museums and historical organizations use them as educational tools to shed light on the history of World War II and the Holocaust.