Overrun Countries Issues

The Post Office Department issued the Poland stamp of the Overrun Countries Series on June 22, 1943. The stamp features the Polish flag in red and white, within a purple frame. Germany overran and occupied Poland in September 1939, in line with Germany's 'lebensraum' or greater living space for Germany expansionary policy. Parts of Poland nearest to Germany were annexed. The Polish occupation was the longest and most devastating of World War II, with deaths ultimately numbering well over one million.

Gordon T. Trotter

The flag of Czechoslovakia in red, white, and blue is featured on the second stamp in the Overrun Countries Series, issued on July 12, 1943. Czechoslovakia had a large number of 'Sudeten' Germans who became pawns in Hitler's grand design. Under the Munich Agreement of 1938, large portions of Czechoslovakia were ceded to Germany, Hungary, and Poland. Continued resistance by the Czechs led to occupation by Germany in 1939.

Gordon T. Trotter

The third stamp in the Overrun Countries Series, issued on July 27, 1943, features the flag of Norway in red, white and blue. Germany's occupation of Norway in April 1940 was accomplished quickly and efficiently. This was the first outright act of war by the Nazis, the earlier occupations having been justified, albeit flimsily, by negotiations or 'German interests'.

Gordon T. Trotter

Issued on August 10, 1943, the red, white, and blue flag of Luxembourg is featured on the fourth stamp in the Overrun Countries Series. This tiny country was occupied very swiftly in May of 1940. Grand Duchess Charlotte and her ministers fled and established a government in exile for the duration of the war. In 1942 Luxembourg was incorporated into Nazi Germany and many citizens were forced to serve in the German armed forces.

Gordon T. Trotter

The red, white, and blue flag of the Netherlands is featured on the fifth stamp of the Overrun Countries Series, issued on August 24, 1943. The Netherlands was occupied in May 1940 after a six-day resistance. It is in the context of this long and oppressive occupation that the poignant Diary of Anne Frank was written.

Gordon T. Trotter

The sixth stamp in the Overrun Countries Series, issued on September 14, 1943, features the flag of Belgium in black, yellow, and red. Germany attacked and occupied Belgium—along with Luxembourg and the Netherlands—in May 1940. Although most of the Belgian leadership fled before the German forces, King Leopold III remained and was arrested and imprisoned by the Nazis.

Gordon T. Trotter

The seventh stamp in the Overrun Countries Series features the flag of France in red, white, and blue. Germany invaded France in June 1940. It annexed Alsace and Lorraine, the rest of northern France was occupied, and a puppet government was established in Vichy in the unoccupied south of France. Germany occupied the south by 1942. A Free French government in exile was established under the leadership of General Charles DeGaulle.

Gordon T. Trotter

The eighth stamp of the Overrun Countries Series, issued on October 12, 1943, features the flag of Greece. Following a failed Italian occupation in 1940, Germany invaded Greece in 1941. After a period of resistance, Greece capitulated, and the Germans divided the country into three occupation zones, managed by Germany, Italy, and Bulgaria.

Gordon T. Trotter

The flag of Yugoslavia is featured on the ninth stamp in the Overrun Countries Series, issued on October 26, 1943. In March 1941, under threat of destruction, Prince Regent Paul of Yugoslavia signed a pact with Germany, effectively joining the Axis. However, a violent popular revolt led to Paul's ouster, and left the pact in limbo. Thereupon Germany invaded Yugoslavia in April 1941 beginning a brutal and oppressive occupation.

Gordon T. Trotter

The tenth stamp in the Overrun Countries Series, issued November 9, 1943, depicts the flag of Albania. Mussolini's Italian forces occupied Albania in 1939. King Zog fled, Albania was absorbed into Italy, and King Victor Emmanuel became the titular ruler. When Italy surrendered to the Allies in 1943, German forces occupied Albania.

Gordon T. Trotter

The eleventh stamp in the Overrun Countries Series, issued on November 23, 1943, features the flag of Austria. In March of 1938, with the collusion of the National Socialist Party and in spite of opposition by the constitutional government of Austria and the majority of the populace, German troops occupied the country. The Third Reich quickly absorbed Austria, which then ceased to exist.

Gordon T. Trotter

The twelfth European country to be recognized by the Overrun Countries Series was Denmark, whose flag is featured on a stamp issued December 7, 1943. Germany invaded Denmark on April 9, 1940. Having little military strength, the Danes did not resist. Denmark was treated relatively well during the occupation, largely because Germany considered its agricultural output crucial to its war effort. As the war dragged on, though, resistance increased, and the occupation became harsher.

Gordon T. Trotter

The thirteenth and last stamp in the Overrun Countries series, issued on November 2, 1944, features the flag of Korea, the only non-European country to be so honored. Korea had been occupied by the Japanese since 1910. During this period, Korean culture had been suppressed and the country had been modernized to Japanese standards. During World War II, the occupation became harsher, with many Koreans subjected to forced labor there and in Japan. Japan diverted most Korean resources to its war effort.

Gordon T. Trotter