GROSSDEUTSCHES REICH (GREATER GERMAN REICH) issued on 11th Feb 1944 a set of three stamps to commemorate the 25th anniversary (1919-1944) of the German Airmail Service (Deutscher Luftpostdienst). A photogravure printing method on coated paper was used at the State Printing Works in Vienna. These stamps were unwatermarked and appeared on sheets of 50 performated K 14. The 6 + 4Pf stamp was designed by Erich Meerwald and the remaining two stamps were designed by E.R. Vogenauer. The use of two different designers is quite obvious when looking at the difference between the lower value of the three stamps compared to the two higher values. The lower value is busier than the more simplistic designs of the other two stamps.
- 6+4Pf, black opal green, Focke Wulf Fw 200, Condor at Templehof Airport.
- 12+8Pf, dark lilac red, Dornier Do-26 Flying Boat.
- 42+108Pf, black lilac blue, Junkers Ju 90B.
These stamps were affixed to a cover and bear a special postmark cancellation from Echternach (Luxembourg), dated 4th April 1944.
During the concluding months of World War II in Europe, on 16 December 1944, Echternach served as the southernmost point on the battlefront for the attempt of the German Wehrmacht forces attacking the Allies to retake Antwerp, during the Battle of the Bulge. The town was badly damaged in World War II but was thoroughly restored.
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