LATVIAN FIELD POST (N. Jakimovs 1988 / J. Mors 2009)

LATVIAN FIELD POST (N. Jakimovs 1988 / J. Mors 2009) The earliest information about the establishment of the Field Post is published in the Circular No. 1219, dated August 12, 1919 in which the opening of the Main Field Post Office in Riga is announced. This office was to cooperate with the Main Post Office at Riga Railway Station. The basic task of the army postal services was the handling of official army mail, as well as private military mail to and from the combat troops. In accordance with order No. 2202, dated September 17, 1919 registered mail was discontinued to the armed forces. Such mail already accepted by the civilian post offices, was to be returned by the Field Post offices. All other mail, as private money letters, parcels, letters with a weight of more than 30 gram, wrappers with a weight of more than ½ Russian pounds (200 gram) were to be franked at the prevailing civilian mail rate. At locations where, in addition to the regular civilian Post Office, also an army Field Post Office was located, free of charge parcels or money letters from the active army units were not allowed to be taken by the civilian Post Office. Belonging to the active army (aktīva armīja) were all military units, headquarters, detachments, commands, reserve units and formations as well as different partisan regiments and the Latvian - German home guards (Landeswehr). In accordance with the order of September 17, 1919 the following postal regulation and rates were announced: The following types of mail were admitted - a) government letters and parcels, sent on official business b) ordinary letters, postcards and printed matter c) money letters d) parcels with no value Field Post rates stated: Postcards and letters up to 30 grams - for additional 15 grams, or fraction thereof Printed matter (magazines, journals, books and other printed works) up to a half pound (200 grams) free of charge - 15 kopeks free of charge - for additional 100 grams, or fraction thereof - 5 kopeks - maximum weight limited to 5 pounds (2 kg.). Money letters are accepted unsealed and with a declared value of max. 5000 roubles. - weight charge for letters with a declared value up to 100 roubles for each 15 grams, or parts thereof - 15 kopeks - insurance charge, for letters with a declared value up to 100 roubles - weight charge for letters with a declared value exceeding 100 roubles, for each 15 grams, or parts thereof - ½ % of the declared value, but not less than 15 kopeks - 25 kopeks - insurance charge for letters with a declared value exceeding 100 roubles - 1 % of the declared value - charge for each wax seal - 5 kopeks Parcels of up to 12 pounds (4,8 kg) were accepted but for items that cannot be broken up, up to 1 puds (40 pounds / 16 kg) - weight charge for parcels of 1 7 pounds (0,4 2,8 kg.) - 1,50 roubles - 7 12 pounds (2,8 4,8 kg.), for every further pound (0,4 kg) - 20 kopeks - 12 40 pounds (4,8 16 kg.), for every further pound (0,4 kg) - 10 kopeks Note: Weights were expressed in the Russian unit s pounds (mārciņš in Latvian) and puds. 1 Russian pound = 400 grams, 40 Russian pounds = 1 pud = 16 kg. 1

In an official announcement dated November 9, 1919, is stated that the postal tariffs, as above, are assigned to mail sent to and from military units and only for mail delivered to the army Field Post Offices: All mail to the Active Army shall be delivered to the Field Post Offices. Mail delivered at the Post Offices of the Postal Department must be franked at the civilian mail rates. By the order No. 9722 dated May 12, 1920 the activities of the Riga Main Field Post Office were to be terminated and its functions were transferred to the Riga Main Post Office. All correspondence addressed to the active army, separate wrapped under the previous regulations now is to be sent singly to the Riga Main Post Office, and specify the army unit, command, signing in and out of institutional mail. The latest dispatches are to be sent to the Riga Main Post Office in sealed envelopes labelled secret also on documents. By 1 st of July all other Field Post Offices will be closed, transferring all previous duties to the local civilian post offices. By the order No. 2961 dated October 21, 1920 the post office at Drissa was closed. Accompanying documents for receiving and sending of correspondence was sent to the Daugavpils Post and Telegraph office, but existing military post documents were sent to the following post offices; For I. Field sub-office to Kārsava, for the II. Field sub-office to Viļaka, for the III. Field sub-office to Rīga, for the IV. Field sub-office to Ludza but for the V. Field sub-office to Rēzekne. Therefore correspondence in regard to tracing mail, which was addressed to Drissa and received or submitted at military post offices, had to be directed to one of above post offices. The Field sub-office postmarks remained and were used at the local post offices at places where sub-offices had their last operations and were used on correspondence as late as in the beginning of 1921. A summary about the movements and operations of the Field sub-offices from their establishment and until May 1, 1920 is announced in a report dated June 21, 1920 from the Chief of Staff of the Main Field Post Office to the Chief of Staff of the Army War Liaison (No. 2679; After the liberation from the bondage great power the State Post offices were able to start their operations at first in August 1919. To provide the Army with postal services already in May 1919 Field Post Sub-offices had been established at the 1 st Detached Brigade and those alone secured the postal services for the then existing whole Army. By the growth of the Army and specially when the Southern Army joined the Northern Army those Field Post Suboffices as being unofficial organizations were not longer able to serve the whole Army as before. Therefore necessities arise for Field Post Sub-offices which were confirmed in accordance with certain state and instructions by the Commander-in-Chief. From July 22 nd 1919 were Money letters, sealed and open ordinary letters, magazines and other printed matter taken and handed out at the Main Field Post Office as well as at all Field Post Sub-offices which were established later. The Main Field Post Office was established on July 22, 1919 and was operating in Riga all the time except for 3 days, during the attack of Colonel Bermondt, when it was evacuated to Cēsis. The Main Field Post Office served all in Riga, and surrounding, situated army units and establishments and was the centre for distribution and dispatch to corresponding Field and State Post offices. 2

The I. Field Post Sub-office was opened on July 28, 1919 at Mārciema where it served the 1 st Detached Brigade. In the beginning of November it was stationed at Madona to serve the 1 st Courland Division. On 5 December the I. Field sub-office was commissioned the 2 nd Livland Division and stationed at Platone but some days later again moved, now to Meitene. After that it was, with the same Headquarters moved to Priekuļi where the sub-office was opened on 15 December. Two weeks later the sub-office was moved to Kārsava where it was opened at the beginning of February 1920 and was operating there until 19 May. On 21 May was the postmark handed over to the Kārsava Post and Telegraph Office. The II. Field Post Sub-office was opened on August 3, 1919 at Stukmaņi where it served the 1 st Courland Division. With this Division the sub-office was moved to Daugavpils where they carried out postal services until the end of January 1920. From 31 January the sub-office was stationed at Kārsava to serve the 2 nd Livland Division and 3 rd Latgale Division. In the beginning of February they were moved to Viļaka to serve the 3 rd Latgale Division. Here they were stationed until they closed on 15 May when the postmark was handed over to the Viļaka Post Office. The III. Field Post Sub-office was opened at Valmiera on August 15, 1919 to serve the 2 nd Livland Division. In the mid of September it was moved to Krustpils to serve units of 1 st Courland Division and the Latvian-German Home Guard. At the end of November the Suboffice was moved to Jelgava to serve the 3 rd Latgale Division Headquarters. After that, with those Headquarters, it was moved to Vecauce (Auce), then again back to Jelgava and at the end of December 1919 they came to Riga. Further the sub-office was stationed at Vec- Gulbene with the same Headquarters. Finally the III. Field Post Sub-office was removed to Drissa to serve units of the 1 st Courland Division. On May 28, 1920 the Field sub-office in Drissa was declared as Drissa Post Office. The IV. Field Post Sub-office was opened on September 23, 1919 close to Valmiera at Rubene to serve the. The Sub-office followed this Regiment at first to to Bebrene manor house (Livland) then to village Vaidelišķi, village Kalupe, Rušūna, Antonopole and at last on February 1, 1920 stationed at Ludza where it started to serve several units of 1 st Courland Division. The postmark was on 18 May 1920 handed over to the Ludza Post and Telegraph office. The V. Field Post Sub-office was opened at Ļaudona on December 20, 1919 to serve the 2 nd Ventspils Infantry Regiment Headquarters. In January 1920 the Sub-office was stationed at Viļāni to serve the same Headquarters but at the end of January they moved to Rēzekne. The V. Field Post sub-office was closed on May 1, 1920 and the postmark was handed over to the Rēzekne Post and Telegraph office. From the opening until December 31, 1919 was correspondence delivered once a day. During the period of liberation of Latgale (January 1 May 1, 1920) correspondence was delivered three times a day. The sub-office delivered also all correspondence to and from I. and IV. Field sub-offices. 3

The front moving ahead and away from the railway routes, which specially was sensible in Latgale, the Field Post Sub-offices not always were able to fulfil their tasks by the reason that they not were supplied with permanent transport resources due to the miserably situation by the charioteers. The Army unites were not willingly to be oncoming in the matter of forwarding mail with their resources. With this often delay of the mail deliveries and also other not normal working conditions arise. By the matter of maintenance as subsistence, premises and light the Field Post Sub-offices were enough satisfied, excluding the lack of clothing which was large all the time. The deliveries of mail to the Front became only by railway, which were fully utilized. In some cases, in direction Jelgava and Liepaja, also water transports were used. The forwarding of mail from the Field Post Sub-offices to the railway station closest and in return became only with carriages. From 1 st of March until 1 st of May 1920 were 159 charioteers used, which were paid 1196 roubles. The rest of charioteers, more than 400, were not paid at all. Serving the Field Post Sub-offices with charioteers enough was not possible because of that those basically were serving the Army units and the Field Post s were seen as trivial institutions. This was also the reason that there were occasions when the mail couldn t be exchanged by railway. The charioteers carriages were seldom fitting for mail deliveries. The average time for delivery of parcels, letters and Money letters between the Front and Riga was 3 days, but later 1-1½ days that by those circumstances not longer was possible to be shortened. The main lack for the Field Post organization was that none office, the main Field Post Office excluded, was equipped with the most necessary effects, transportation resources and furthermore needed specialists weren t let out from other army units. Because of that the work had to be done by persons who had not any idea about mail delivery. The army units didn t recon on existing rules by the matter of registration which also very much delayed the mail deliveries. 4

The Soviet Latvian Field Post Office 50 During World War I were Russian Field Post Offices established to serve the Army units with correspondence. The Field Post Office 50 was serving the are of the Baltic states, presumably at Rīga, but later on certainly somewhere in the Courland and Livland Governments. This Field Post office was during the Soviet Latvian period used by the Soviet Army units. The postmark had the Russian text: ПОЛЕВАЯ ПОЧТОВАЯ КОНТОРА 50 (Field Post Office 50) Russian parcel form for a parcel without declared value, with a weight of 11 pounds, for which 3,50 roubles was charged. The addressee is a person at the Soviet Latvian Communard Regiment, 10 th Riflemen Regiment. Sent from Pļaviņas / Stukmaņi, cancelled STUKMAŅI 11 4 19 and transferred via the Field Post Office 50, cancelled 12 4 19. The Communards were members and supporters of the short-lived 1871 Paris Commune formed in the wake of the Franco-Prussian War and France's defeat but also those Russians who were collected by the authorities in working- and improvement communities established the first years after the October revolution. 5

Grouping of the Latvian Field Post offices and postmarks Field post postmark Φ mm Ordered Produced Delivered / Received Handed over Seen early / late Date GALV. LAUKA PASTA KANTORIS Main Field Post Office 28 23.07.19 20.09.19 20.09.20 I LAUKA PASTA NODALA I. Field Sub-office 28 23.07.19 27.09.19 28.09.19 29.09.19 Handed over to the Kārsava P.T.O. 21.05.20 04.11.19 03.09.20 II LAUKA PASTA NODALA II. Field Sub-office 28 23.07.19 27.09.19 28.09.19 29.09.19 Handed over to the Viļaka P.O. 15.05.20 21.10.19 29.10.20 III LAUKA PASTA NODALA III. Field Sub-office 28 01.08.19 27.09.19. 28.09.19 29.09.19 Declared as Drissa P.O. 28.05.20 29.09.19 03.01.21 IV LAUKA PASTA NODALA IV. Field Sub-office 28 27.09.19 28.09.19 04.10.19 Handed over to the Ludza P.T.O. 18.05.20 13.10.19 15.12.20 V LAUKA PASTA NODALA V. Field Sub-office 28 18.01.20 20.01.20 Remaining at the Rēzekne P.T.O. 01.05.1920 18.03.20 19.01.21 6

The Main Field Post Office 1919-1920 Operating duration Stationery place Served army units 29.07.19 13.01.20 13.01.20 01.06.20 Rīga Nikolaja ielā 4, dz. 1 Nikolj- Street 4, Apparment 1 Rīga Aleksandra ielā 24, dz. 1 Aleksandra- Street 24, Appartment 1 All at Riga and surroundings stationed army units and administrations J.M. Postcard dated Rīga 17/IX 1920, cancelled GALV. LAUKA PASTA NODAŁA 20 9 20, addressed to the Active Army, Tank Division, 3 rd Company. The stamp wasn t needed in this case as there was a free of charge mail delivery to military units. Furthermore the rate of 25 kopeck was not enough for a domestic postcard at this time. The postmark of the Main Field Post Office, GALV. LAUKA PASTA KANTORIS 20 9 19 on a cut out of a postcard sent to the 8 th Daugavpils Infantry Regiment, delivered via Grobiņa, cancelled with a German type of postmark GROBIN 22. 9. 19. 6-7 W (W for wakara = in the evening) 7

The movements by the I. Field post sub-office 1919-1920 Operating duration Stationery place Served army units 28.07.19 02.11.19 Mārciena Patmalniekos House Patmalnieki 1 st Latvian Detached Brigade Combat Region Headquarters 1 st Detached Battalion 2 nd Cēsis Battalion 3 rd Detached Battalion 4 th Detached Battalion 1 st Calvary Division 1 st Brigade Transport and Sanitary Transport Ration received by 1 st Courland Division Transport 03.11.19 01.12.19 Madona Roča namā Haus Roča 1 st Courland Division 1 st Courland Division Headquarters Secretariat 1 st Courland Division Engineer Company 1 st Courland Division Economy Department Directorate Field Hospital Transport department Ration received by 1 st Courland Division Transport 05.12.19 commissioned the 2 nd Livland Division 06.12.19 08.12.19 Platone Courland Platones muižā (pavēle) Platone Manor (as by Order) 2 nd Livland Division Headquarters 08.12.19 11.12.19 Meitene Elejā 2 nd Livland Division Headquarters 15.12.19 01.02.20 10.02.20 19.05.20 Priekule Rigerta namā House Rigert Kārsava II LPN telpās The II. Field sub-office localities 2 nd Livland Division Headquarters 2 nd Livland Division, Commandant Command 2 nd Livland Division Transport 2 nd Livland Division Liaison Company 2 nd Livland Division Economy Department Directorate 4 th Valmiera Infantry Regiment 5 th Cēsis Infantry Regiment 6 th Riga Infantry Regiment 2 nd Detached Battalion Livland Artillery Regiment Headquarters 4 th Artillery Division, 3 rd Battalion, 1 st,2 nd and 3 rd Battery 5 th Artillery Division, 2 nd Battalion, 2 nd and 3 rd Battery 2 nd Livland Division Mortar Company Army Products Warehouse Army Sanitary Transport 2 nd Livland Division Radio Station 2 nd Livland Division Headquarters 2 nd Livland Division, Commandant Command 2 nd Livland Division Transport 2 nd Livland Division Liaison Company 2 nd Livland Division Economy Department Directorate 4 th Valmiera Infantry Regiment 5 th Cēsis Infantry Regiment 2 nd Detached Battalon Livland Artillery Regiment Headquarters 4 th Artillery Division, 3 rd Battalion, 1 st,2 nd and 3 rd Battery 5 th Artillery Division, 2 nd Battalion, 2 nd and 3 rd Battery 2 nd Livland Division Mortar Company Army Products Warehouse Army Sanitary Transport 2 nd Livland Division Radio Station Kārsava Railway Station Commander Kārsava District Commander A.Ķ. Postcard cancelled I LAUKA PASTA NODAŁA 23 12 19. At this time the sub-office was stationed at Priekule to serve the 2 nd Livland Division. Army unit cachet of the 2 nd Cēsis Infantry Regiment. 8

The movements by the II. Field post sub-office 1919 1920 Operating duration Stationery place Served army units 03.08.19 21.01.20 23.01.20 26.01.20 Pļaviņas Pasta mājā In the post-house Daugavpils Vokzales ielā 40 Vokzales street Nr. 40 1 st Courland Division Headquarters 1 st Courland Division Liaison Command Cavalry Courier and Reconnaissance Commands 4th Valmiera Infantry Regiment (until 1 October) Detached Reconnaissance Battalion 1 st Detached Squadron Eastern Front s Main Warehouse 1 st Courland Division Army Economy Department 1 st Courland Division Reconnaissance Department 1 st Courland Division Radio Station Courland Artillery Regiment Headquarters 1 st Arillery Division Headquarters 1 st Artillery Division, 1 st and 2 nd Batteries 2 nd Artillery Division, 1 st Battery Courland Engineer Company Eastern Front Artillery Chief of Staff Stukmaņi Rear Commandant Office 1 st Courland Division Headquarters, 2 nd Battalion 1 st and 2 nd Daugavpils Garrison Daugavpils Commandant Office Daugavpils Railway Station Commandant Office 31.01.20 09.02.20 11.02.20 15.05.20 Kārsava Udina mājās pie Korsovkas st. House Udins at the Kārsava railway station Viļaka Eržepoles ciematā pie Boikovas mājas Viļakas miestā 8 verstis dz. St. Hamlet Eržepol, House Boikova, Viļaka, 8 verst from the railway station 2 nd Livland Division Headquarters and 3 rd Latgale Division Headquarters 4 th Valmiera Infantry Regiment Livland Artillery Regiment Headquarters Headquarters of the 4 th and 5 th Artillery Regiments and their Batteries Due to indefinite railway traffic the mail delivery to Vec-Gulbene could be carried out only once a week 3 rd Latgale Division Headquarters 8 th Daugavpils Infantry Regiment 7 th Sigulda Infantry Regiment Latgale Partisan Regiment Latgale Artillery Regiment 3 rd Detached Latgale Squadron Latgale Engineer Regiment 3 rd Latgale Division Wagoner Command 3 rd Latgale Division Liaison Command 3 rd Latgale Division Headqurters, Commandant Command Office 3 rd Latgale Division Reconnaissance Department 3 rd Latgale Division, Operative Department From 7 March until 1 April 1920 mail between Vec-Gulbene and Viļaka was delivered by charioteers due to interrupt in the railway traffic. After renewed traffic operations the mail was delivered by the postal wagon Vec-Gulbene Kārsava from the Viļaka railway station. A.Ķ. Postcard cancelled at the II. Field Post Sub-office; II LAUKA PASTA NODAŁA -2 6 20 with an additional army cachet of the 8 th Daugavpils Infantry Regiment, Bicycle Company. The sub-office postmark was used after that it was handed over to the Viļaka Post Office. 9

The movements by the III. Field post sub-office 1919 1920 Operating duration Stationery place Served army units 15.08.19 11.09.19 Valmiera Rīgas ielā 17, 2. stāvā Rīga street 17, 2 nd floor 2 nd Livland Division Headquarters 17.09.19 29.11.19 Krustpils 1 st Courland Division German-Latvian Home Guards 01.12.19 05.12.19 Jelgava Lielā ielā 20, dz. 6 Lielā (large) street 20, Appartment 6 3 rd Latgale Division Headquarters 06.12.19 xx.12.19 Vecauce Parka ielā 1, 3. stāvā Park street 1, 3 rd floor 3 rd Latgale Division Headquarters 20.12.19 20.12.19 Jelgava 3 rd Latgale Division Headquarters 21.12.19 xx.01.20 04.01.20 03.04.20 Rīga Baznīcas ielā 19, 2. stāvā Baznīcas (church) street 19, 2 nd floor Vecgulbene Baltajā pilī Baltajā (white) castle 3 rd Latgale Division Headquarters 3 rd Latgale Division Headquarters 05.04.20 28.05.20 Drissa 1 st Courland Division units J.M. Postcard sent to Riga and cancelled at the 3 rd Field Post Sub-Office; III LAUKA PASTA NODAŁA 10 12 19, during their location at Vecauce (south west to Jelgava) where they served the 3 rd Latgale Division Headquarters. Additional military unit cachet of the Economy Department Command of 7 th Sigulda Infantry Regiment. 10

The movements by the IV. Field post sub-office 1919 1920 Operating duration Stationery place Served army units 23.09.19 xx.10.19 Rubene Rubenes mācītāja muižas telpās Premises at Rubene pastorate Mail exchanged with the III. Field Sub-office and later also with Krustpils Post Office 10.10.19 04.01.20 04.01.20 06.01.20 06.01.20 14.01.20 14.01.20 21.01.20 Bebrene manor, Livland Bebrenes muižā, Vidzemē Village Vaidelišķi, Latgale Vaidelišķu sādža, Latgalē Village Kalupe, Latgale Kolupes sādža (Kalupe), Latgalē Niedrite Pastorate Pelēči manor Niedrītes mācītāja muižā (Pelēču muiža) No postal operations, only a short stay here Postal operations renewed 12.01.1920 21.01.20 28.01.20 Rušoni railway station Rušonu dz.st. 28.01.20 31.01.20 Antonopole railway station Antonopoles dz.st. 9 th Rēzekne Infantry Regiment 7 th Artillery Division, 1 st Battery Mail exchanged with the Post wagon Rīga Daugavpils and with the Daugavpils Post and Telegraph Office 01.02.20 13.05.20 Dissolved 13.05.20 Ludza Ludzas PTK telpās Premises at Ludza P.T.O. 9 th Rēzekne Infantry Regiment 7 th Artillery Division, 1 st Battery Ludza Town and District Commandant Ludza District Guard Chief of Staff 4 th Valmiera Infantry Regiment Courland Artillery Regiment, 2 nd Division, 1 st Battery Latvian-German Home Guards = 13 th Tukum Infantry Regiment Latvian-German Home Guards Artillery Division = 13 th Artillery Division 6 th Rīga Infantry Regiment 1 st Courland Division Transport 1 st Armoured Train Livland Artillery Regiment, 4 th Division, 1 st Battery A.Ķ. Postcard cancelled at the IV. Field Post Sub-office; IV LAUKA PASTA NODAŁA 17 12 19, at this time stationed at the Bebrene manor to serve the. Additional cachet of the, 2 nd Battalion Commander. Sent to Bauska district and cancelled upon arrival at Iecava with a provisional postmark; EEZAWA 22 12 19 a. 11

The movements by the V. Field post sub-office 1919 1920 Operating duration Stationery place Served army units 20.12.19 14.01.20 Ļaudona 2 nd Ventspils Infantry Regiment The green Partisan Department Rear Commander Mail exchanged every day 2 nd Ventspils Infantry Regiment 20.01.20 28.01.20 Viļāni Mail exchanged by train three times a day. The sub-office received and delivered all mail from and to the I. and IV. Field Post Sub-offices 28.01.20 01.05.20 Rēzekne Rēzeknes p.k., Brīvības ielā 56 Rēzekne Post Office, Brīvibas street 56 2 nd Ventspils Infantry Regiment das 1. Libauer Infanterieregiment der Stab der Kurländischen Division mit allen Kommandos das Kurländischen Artillerieregiment mit seinen Divisionen und Batterien Mail exchanged by train three times a day. The sub-office received and delivered all mail from and to the I. and IV. Field Post Sub-offices J.M. Postcard, cancelled at the 5 th Field Sub-office; V LAUKA PASTA NODAŁA 19 1 21, very late use of this postmark which was handed over to the Rēzekne Post and Telegraph Office 1 May 1920. Additional military unit cachet of the Medical Officer at the Latgale Division and a receiving machine cancellation RIGA 21 1 21. 12