BERL51-NOT2 : 1952/53 - EP Federal Republic of Germany 1951-54

Allied occupation of Germany

During the first months of the Second World War and at the time of the Yalta Conference (4 to 11 February 1945), the Allies decided the modalities of occupation in Germany. It was divided into four areas of occupation, under the Soviet, American, English and French administration. Berlin, capital deprived by the ancient Nazi Germany, was at first occupied by the Red Army and then divided into four sectors. The West districts of the city were given up to the Westerners and those from the East were managed by the Russians. At the end of a long deterioration of the relations between the four occupants of Germany, Staline decided to stop the communications between West Berlin and West Germany. The aim was to make the Germans renounce to the occupation of the city.

The Berlin Blockade and the division of Germany

From the 24^th of June 1948 to the 12th of May 1949, it was the Berlin Blockade. Helped by the Allies, the Americans introduced an air lift in order to supply the Western sectors of the city. For the first time in history, a city of 2 millions of inhabitants had its supplying assured by the airs. The Blockade perpetuated until May 1949. This episode sealed the beginning of the Cold War. The Berlin Blockade also accelerated the division of Germany. (source : www.gouvernement.fr)

"2Pf Notopfer Berlin" a solidarity vignette to help the population victim of the Berlin Blockade

For the Anglo-American area (Bizone) on the 1^st December 1948 and for the French area on the 1^st July 1949, all civil or commercial letters (impressions, postcards, letters, packets) posted from these areas of occupation in Germany  had inevitably to contain a tax-vignette of solidarity, costing 2 Pfennig "Notopfer Berlin". This vignette was destined to sostain the population of West Berlin, victim of the Soviet Blockade. If the letters didn't respect that measure, it was sent back to the sender!  The compulsory use of this solidarity vignette ended in 1956.