Description

1940 (May 15) Plain envelope with small amount of removable foxing to Milan, Italy bearing Dome of the Rock 15m tied Tel Aviv date stamp & with red on white PC 22 Opened By /Censor / 70-8333 label tied violet boxed Palestine /Opened and /Passed By /Censor /No … & with green on white PC 23 Returned to Sender /by the Censor /for Reason Explained in /Memorandum Enclosed /in this Cover /31536 – 5000 – 12.3.40 – G.C.P. plus Censor enclosure Form PCT/33, Tel Aviv/Jaffa Postal Censorship stating letter is returned since there is reason to believe it is destined for enemy territory ………………………………………………………..
Italy did not enter the war until 10 Jun 40 so this is a rare example of trying to use a neutral country & intermediary to communicate with an enemy or enemy occupied country outside of the proper channels & can therefore be classified as Undercover mail i.e. mail that does not show the true destination..