KZ, ZAL + Ghetto postal control markings

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KL-Auschwitz

Stammlager (main camp), Auschwitz-I

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Blechhammer - Auschwitz sub-camp

Censored cover sent to a Bulgarian inmate at Blechhammer.

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KL-Auschwitz

Censored example from the main camp, Auschwitz-I. Dated 1942 and mailed to a Czech family member.

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KL-Buchenwald

Unusual marking on an example mailed to occupied Moravia from an inmate at the Buchenwald camp, Weimar.

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KL-Floßenbürg

SS censorship present on an example dated May 1943 from Floßenbürg in Bavaria, the major camp located near the occupied Czech territories.

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KZ-Außenlager Landeshut (Groß-Rosen satellite)

Unusual example mailed to a prisoner at one of Groß-Rosen's numerous sub-camps. Post marking indicates Brno (major city of Moravia and origin of sender). The camp was established mid-'44 and held over one and a half thousand male inmates, mostly of Polish origin but including numerous Czechs, Soviets, Croats and Germans too.

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KZ-Außenlager Osterode-Harz (satellite of Mittelbau-Dora)

Unusual example dated March 1945 from the sub-camp at Osterode.

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Theresienstadt

Mail to and from Theresienstadt was generally handled directly by the Jewish Office in Prague, or, by the Central Jewish Office in Berlin - hence the lack of postage stamp on this particular example sent by a Jewish prisoner in Theresienstadt during early 1944. The red pencil marking present confirms the content was controlled by an official.

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RAVENSBRÜCK

Pair of letters written by a woman who was incarcerated in Ravensbrück, the only major camp to established primarily to hold female inmates. Although both censor control stamp markings read "f.KL-Ravensbrück" (Frauen-Konzentrationslager Ravensbrück / women's concentration camp Ravensbrück), the later letter is written on official issued paper with the heading "KL-Ravensbrück" (Konzentrationslager Ravensbrück / concentration camp Ravensbrück), as around the time of writing, the Männerlager (men's camp) was established.

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THERESIENSTADT

Unusual example related to the ghetto at Theresienstadt. In mid-1943, the inmates finally completed the forced labour detail to extend the railway lines directly into the ghetto at Terezín. Prior, transports would arrive at the nearby small town of Bauschowitz an der Eger (Bohušovice nad Ohří) and prisoners were forced to walk the final few kilometres, taking with them what they were permitted to carry (50kg luggage). This postal receipt was sent around the time of the completion, hence the designated Bauschowitz address - post was directed there, then brought into the ghetto. Pictured below are the postal receipt and images of the memorial marker, station and deported Jews walking to Theresienstadt ghetto shortly after arriving at Bauschowitz.