Description

1948 (Jun 18) Plain envelope to Wien bearing GB Victory set 2½d & 3d tied British Fleet Mail /12 cds & with violet framed COMMANDING OFFICE / 15 JUN 1948 /H.M.S. “PHOEBE’ + in a different shade F.M.O. HAIFA & circular Osterreichische Zensurstelle/3/Z.1 partly overlaid by plain brown resealing label of the Allied occupation forces.
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The State of Israel was proclaimed on the 14 May 1948 & the following day was invaded by Arab troops from Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Trans-Jordan & Syria. All invaders were repulsed but war continued until 7 Jan 1949 when a cease fire was proclaimed leaving a very uneasy truce..