The Postal History of Australian Forces in Japan & Korea 1945-57

The final monograph by the late Phil Collas has now been published by the Royal Philatelic Society of Victoria. This is the final volume on a trilogy intended to cover the postal history of the Australian Army during World War II and its aftermath- The first volume, The Postal History of Internees and Prisoners off War in Australia During World War 1I was published in 1981, and the second was The Postal History of the Australian Army During World War II, appearing in 1986. The new volume covers the postal history of the Australian Forces in the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan after World War II, and the subsequent deployment of forces in the Korean War. The Naval and Air Force postal services are covered as well as those of the Army. The narrative is based in large part on official records, and provides the most complete data so far published on the movements of the datestamps. There is a chapter on the philatelic souvenirs created for the 1945 Tokyo Bay Surrender on board the Australian ships present (Shropshire, Hobart and Warramunga). The B.C.O.F. overprints are treated in terms of their place in the overall picture of the postal services provided, rather than being given a full philatelic treatment, but Phil Collas is able to present some-interesting new facts concerning the aborted first issue, as in his position as editor of the Australian Stamp Monthly at that time he made official enquiries into the circumstances. All the printed stationery used by the B.C.O.F. and during the Korean War is described. The postal facilities for the Korean War Forces were derived in large part from those already in operation to service the B.C.O.F. troops in Japan, but their mobilisation and movements are described in great detail. Eighty-eight illustrations of markings and covers, all from the collection of the late author, demonstrate the range and interest, which a collection of this modern period can generate. It was thought advisable to provide a summary of the usage of the various postmarks, and a chronology of events, and Ron Lee prepared these.