Bidspirit auction | War of Independence – Postcard

War of Independence – Postcard to a Jewish P.O.W. Held by the Arab Legion via the Red Cross, 1948 - Postcard sent during the 1948 War of Independence to a Jewish prisoner of war held by the Arab Legion in Transjordan. The correspondence was transmitted through the International Red Cross, which served as the intermediary for mail between Israel and prisoners held in Jordanian camps. Addressed to: ARJE STECHLER P.O.W. of the Arab Legion c/o Red Cross Sender: Bobby Wellish. The address side bears a circular International Red Cross – Geneva handstamp and an Israeli censor marking. The reverse contains a short message written in English, apparently phrased in neutral language in order to pass military censorship: “Very busy on tractors and winter crops which will be much larger than usual, besides the combines work top speed.” Messages of this type were common in correspondence with prisoners of war and sometimes carried coded encouragement within the limitations imposed by censorship. During 1948 Jordan held hundreds of Jewish prisoners of war, many captured after the fall of Gush Etzion, Naharayim, and the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem. Mail to prisoners was typically transmitted through the Red Cross via its office in Tel Aviv, forwarded to Geneva, and then delivered to the POW camps in Transjordan. A historical postal item documenting wartime communication with Jewish prisoners of war and the role of the Red Cross in transferring correspondence between Israel and POW camps. Condition: Good. Age toning and minor stains. Items from the collections of Jacob Yablok - VirtualJewishmuseum.com. The items are placed in a quality proactive nylon sleeve and can be easily and safely taken out from the display page. Displayed on a thin cardboard sheet.