Worldwide Stamps and Postal History

Mogadishu. 1948 (Jan 29) Stampless cover to Italy endorsed from an Italian refugee with a Mogadishu Somalia c.d.s, "AIRMAIL" and "SERVICES DES POSTES" handstamps and blue triangular "SINISTRATI / RIFUGIATI / 1948 / SOMALIA / FRANCHIGIA POSTALE", a Udine arrival backstamp. A Somali uprising in January 1948 resulted in 42 Italian deaths, homeless Italians taking refuge in the hospital, cathedral and high school. The British authorities agreed to free postage for those refugees, the triangular cachet being used at the British Office at Mogadishu from Jan. 20th - Feb. 20th; less than 1,000 free letters were posted during this month. Scarce. Photo on Page 184.
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