RARE GERMAN WWII POST, LAZARETTSCHIFT 'WILHELM GUSTLOFF', 1939-1945
German WWII post, Lazarettschiff 'Wilhelm Gustloff', part of the sea line from Libau to Gotenhafen. This hospital was exclusively for SS members. The letter contains information that was sent to DEUTSCHES ROTES KREUZ regarding the wounded SS-Unteroffizier Leonard B. On the envelope, you can observe marks made in the archive, including 2 holes on the left and an inventory number.
TEST: This particular item has passed a very important test: it does not glow under a black lamp. (Note that all paper made after 1945 typically glows under black light). Please refer to the images for further details.
CONDITION: The item is in very good, used condition. For additional information, please refer to the pictures.
PROVENANCE: 1. From a Long Island estate, descendants of German immigrants, New York, USA, June 15, 1991; 2. Our sale of this item adds another layer of provenance. History of sale is very IMPORTANT for serious collection.
DIMENSIONS: 110 x 70 mm (4 1/4 x 2 3/4 inches).
ESTIMATED PRICE: $50 - $500 (significantly lower than today's market price).
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HISTORY: Berlin was one of eight German ships commissioned as hospital ships (Lazarettschiffe) during World War II. Most, if not all, of these ships also served in other capacities during the war after being decommissioned as hospital ships, mainly as accommodation or transport ships for military personnel. All German hospital ships were given alphabetic identifiers, Berlin's being 'A'. On 16 July 1939, Berlin began her conversion to hospital ship and entered service with the Kriegsmarine as Lazarettschiff A, Sanitatsamt Ost on 23 August 1939. The ship had berthing for 400 patients, with a crew of 165. Initially serving in Norwegian waters, she was identified as 'Field Post Number 07520'. By January 1945, Berlin was assigned to Operation Hannibal, the transport of refugees and soldiers from the Eastern Baltic. On 31 January 1945, while forming up in convoy to head east, Berlin struck a mine off Swinemunde, and was put in tow for Kiel. She then hit another mine and was beached (23.53 hr, at position 54 02.6 N/14 19 E, in shallow waters). There was one fatality. All usable equipment was salvaged by 5 February 1945, and the ship was abandoned.

HISTORY: Feldpost is the German military mail service. Its history dates back to the 18th century in the Kingdom of Prussia during the Seven Years War and War of the Bavarian Succession and has existed ever since in different forms and shapes. During 1937-39, the German Wehrmacht had a military mailing service that provided free postal services within Germany. On September 3, 1939, the first changes to the service occurred. Postcards and letters up to 250 g including newspapers could be mail free of charge by the German para-military and military organizations. Later in 1939, packages weighing up to 1,000 g were included at the nominal rate of 20 Reichspfennig fee. All German military branches had its own organic postal administration in charge of receiving and delivering mail. For Feldpost offices closest to the combat zone a mobile facility usually processed mail for all military branches.

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