Description

1917(Jan 8) Plain envelope to Basel, Switzerland bearing Sower 25c tied Montreux – Vieux / Alsace cds & this was the last of the 6 P.O.s opened under Military Control by the occupying French military & with transparent Ouvert / par l’autorite militaire / Controle Postel label tied violet oval OUVERT / 52 / Par I’AUTORITE MILITAIRE & with on reverse Basel 19 (28 Jan) arrival cds….. Alsace Lorraine was ceded to Germany by the Treaty of Frankfurt in 1871 after the Franco-Prussian war, with the French remaining resentful of this throughout the years. No opportunity was lost & the 1st Feb 1915 French occupied and took Military control of several areas starting with the French P.O.s at Moosch & Wesselring with more to follow. After the defeat of Germany & under the aspises of the Treaty of Versailles Alsace Lorraine was reunited & ceded back to France in 1920.