Feldpost

Feldpost refers to the military postal service in German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) during times of war or military deployment. It provided a system for soldiers to send and receive mail to and from their homes or other locations, often at reduced or no cost.

The Feldpost system was more than simply mail delivery; it served as a vital link between soldiers and their loved ones, providing essential morale support. Letters, packages, and postcards sent via Feldpost could be censored to maintain operational security and prevent the dissemination of information that could aid the enemy.

Historically, the Feldpost system has been used in various conflicts, including World War I and World War II. The organization and structure of the Feldpost varied across different periods and military organizations. Generally, Feldpost offices were established near the front lines or at key military locations, serving as hubs for collecting, sorting, and distributing mail. Feldpost numbers (Feldpostnummern) were assigned to individual units or subunits, allowing for efficient routing of mail even when the exact location of a soldier was unknown. These numbers often replaced street addresses in the correspondence.

The service typically handled both personal and official military correspondence. It was a crucial element of military logistics and played a significant role in maintaining the psychological well-being of troops stationed far from home.