“Neutralitätsverletzungen und Internierung 1914-1918,” (German soldiers interned in Denmark during the First World War); “Interniert oder kriegsgefangen?,” (The military hospital camp at Hald in Jutland 1917-1918); “Der Postdienst der Dänischen Brigade und des Dänischen Komandos in Deutschland 1947-1959,” (The postal service of the Danish Brigade and Danish Commandos in Germany 1947-1959). Monograph by Burkhard Koop, in German, 5¾ by 8¼ inches, saddle stitched, 74 pages, published by Forschungsgemeinschaft Nordische Staaten e.V. im BDPh e.V., Wensickendorf, Germany 2003.

The Nordic Countries Study Group of the German Philatelic Society publishes monographs periodically, which are sent automatically to members who join the group and subscribe to its journal. The sub study group of Denmark has put together this booklet that pertains to prisoners in Denmark during WW I and the postal service of Danish troops after WW II that were stationed in Germany.

In the first article, author Koop explains that Denmark’s apparent neutrality during the First World War still resulted in German soldiers being interned at Odense and Aalborg when they happened on Danish soil as a result of military actions. The author tabulates the military personnel held, by rank, and describes the handling of their mail including censorship.

The second article looks at the Danish camp at Hald during WW I and raises the question whether the persons held there were internees or prisoners of war. A timetable lists the major events at the camp over the period May 1917 to May 1918. The camp post office is briefly described and a number of pieces of mail are shown.

The third item in this monograph consists of two discussions. The first focuses on the postal services of the Danish Brigade in Germany from 1947 to 1949. There were facilities at Jever, Aurich, Varel, Oldenburg, and Wilhelmshaven. For the period covered, tables list the postal officials involved, the dates of opening and closing of the offices, and the postal rates at the time. Examples of mail from these facilities are illustrated.

The second part of this final article addresses postal services for Det Danske Kommando from 1949 to 1959. Again, rate tables are shown along with some covers and special markings.

Each of the three major articles in this monograph is followed by a bibliography for further study of the subjects. Photographs, maps, and covers are used to tell the stories of these episodes in Danish military postal history. For the cost of this particular monograph or information about the Nordic Countries Study Group in general, inquiries should be directed to Roland Daebel, Stolzhagener Weg 4, 16515 Wensickendorf, Germany.

Alan Warren