GERMANY - THE LAST STAMPS ISSUED BY THE THIRD REICH, 20 APRIL 1945

GERMANY, THIRD REICH

SCOTT B292-B293

ISSUED 20 APRIL 1945

IN BERLIN, GERMANY

It has been 65 years since Hitler's Third Reich issued its last postage stamps, before it was finally crushed under the overwhelming weight of Soviet and Allied forces.  These stamps were issued on April 20, 1945; the Soviets launched their final thrust into Berlin the following day.  Germany would finally surrender unconditionally on May 7, 1945.

In "Philately of the Third Reich", author Alf Harper wrote that these two stamps were actually issued as part of a never to be completed set of five stamps honoring various Nazi party formations.  These stamps honored the SA and SS (an earlier released stamp honored the Volksturm, or People's Army; the last two unissued stamps were for the NSKK and NSFK).

These stamps were in use in Berlin for only a very short time; thus genuine usage is very rare.  These stamps arrived in Berlin's receiving offices "Berlin C.2" and "Berlin W.8", which distributed them to as many post offices as were still functioning (remember that the Soviets were already "softening up" the city with continuous artillery barrages).  They were placed on sale on April 20 and were available in at least one post office until April 28.

The stamps were sold at the following post offices in Berlin:

Berlin C.2: open April 20 and probably the next day

Berlin-Charlottenburg 2: abandoned late April 20

Berlin SW.68: closed April 21

Berlin C.25 (sub-post office): open April 20 and probably the next day

Berlin-Wittenau: closed 7pm on April 21

Berlin-Wilmersdorf: closed 11am April 25

It is unconfirmed if Berlin N.4, Berlin NW.7, Berlin W.8 offices handled mail, since these post offices were already occupied by the Soviets.

Used stamps can only be considered if on genuine cover indicating usage at one of the above offices, as many stamps were known cancelled after the war with "liberated" cancellers.   Many "used" covers received "favor" cancellations, and are actually philatelic.  Due to the circumstances at the time, very few of these stamps ever passed through the postal system.

I wonder what type of philatelist would brave Soviet artillery barrages to buy the latest new issue for their collection, instead of seeking safety in a basement or cellar, or better yet, leaving Berlin altogether if possible?   Now that's a dedicated stamp collector!!

Likewise, I wonder who would even want to mail a letter in those last few days?   I can only imagine an unfortunate Berliner saying, "I have to mail my SIEMENS credit card payment TODAY, otherwise their late fees and penalty APR will kill me!"