Today in Postal History

Philippines
December 8, 1943

This was the first FDC to appear on these pages.
It was selected since it is a bit unusual - at least, to me.
It is a reminder of war which began (for us in America) over 60 years ago yesterday.
Like other countries occupied by Japan, the Philippine occupation was cruel.
Let us hope that no one ever has to suffer that kind of oppression again.

It is a FDC for a series of three semi-postal stamps issued during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.
The surcharge was to benefit the victims of a flood on the island of Luzon.
Baha is Tagalog for 'flood'.  There is no cachet.
The 12c steel blue added 21c; the 20c rose
violet added 30c; and the 21c violet added 40c (Scott NB5-NB7).
The stamps surcharged were issued earlier in 1943 (Scott N18, N20, and N21).

The destination is the small town Calasiao
in the province of Pangasinan 150 km north of Manila near Dagupan on the Lingayen Gulf.
It was here that the Japanese landed in December 21, 1941.
The American 6th Army led by General MacArthur landed here January 9, 1945.

I suspect the addressee was on the faculty of the high school.
Correction, the Pangasinan High School appears to have been closed during the war.

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