WW2 Mail - Central Mediterranean Force (CMF)
I have received the following enquiry: I am portraying a WW2 British Field Post Office in the CMF region.at various WW2 events.throughout the summer. Aside from the 3d required for the serviceman to send an Airgraph, would they have paid to post surface or other airmail envelopes? Were the 'Honour' envelopes free to post?
As far as I am aware:
surface mail was free
airmail was at a concessionary rate
'Honour' envelopes free for surface and concessionary for airmail
Can anyone confirm this or provide other details please.
Thanks, Mike
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My hap'orth on this from an Aden perspective (I know that's not CMF, but..)
My understanding is that a MEF-wide free concession for air mail, inclusive regular letters and Honours, came into force April 1945. This appears to have been limited by weight and to 'home country' (airmail to eg USA is franked) and was handled by the FPO/RAFPO/BFM offices, not the GPOs. Is it not likely MEF would be in step with CEF?
Prior to that, and here I can only speak for Aden, the Forces airmail 3d concession was AL/ALC and Airgraphs only and handled by the FPO. Regular airmail and Honours went via the Aden GPO with Aden stamps. A reduced GPO forces airmail rate of 9as was introduced Mid-1943, prior to that the rate was the standard Imperial rate of 14as. Most likely these were 'local arrangements' only.
Neil W