Viet-Nam Bu'u Chinh "War Invalids Relief Fund" - 1952

VIET-NAM BƯU CHÍNH (French Colonial Vietnam Post) on 21 December 1952 issued a First Day Cover surcharge stamp to support the "War Invalids Relief Fund" on the occasion of National War Invalids' Day. The stamp depicted the national flag of the Republic Vietnam (later South Vietnam) and three swords symbolising the strength of  the three branches of the military: Navy, Land and Air Forces. This dark brown stamp was designed and printed by Thomas de la Rue London. They printed a total of 500,000 stamps.

The cover envelope/cachet featured two wounded soldiers who fought or were imprisioned by the Imperial Japanese army during WWII. The postmark originated either from Hà-Noi and Hài-Phòng or Saigon, Both the postage stamp and cover were written in Vietnamese and French stating: 'Secours aux Blessés' / Ngay dau tien phat hanh / tem 'Giup thuong binh'” (Desrousseaux). A surcharge of $5 was requested per official envelope and the proceeds went for the benefit of the “Military Wounded Relief Organization".