Pacific Clipper Postal History During World War II
NETHERLANDS INDIES
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Posted : Aug 28, 1940 at Batavia
Probable Route : BOAC to Bangkok then to Hong Kong; FAM 14 to San Francisco;
USA domestic airlines to New York; FAM 18 Atlantic Clipper to Lisbon; by European airlines or by rail to Switzerland.
Notes : Two-ocean airmail cover with typed docketing By TRANSPACIFIC AIRROUTE VIA HONG KONG TO U.S.A., BY P.A.A. to EUROPE.
Censored at Batavia in the Dutch Indies.
Rate : 3.15 Gld - 13gr weight = .15 base rate + 1.00 x3 air surcharge = 3.15gld. This rate
paid for BOAC service to Hong Kong, and then Pan Am to the USA and Europe.
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Netherlands East Indies to Switzerland
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Posted : Oct 25, 1940 at Makasser
Possible Route : Makassar to Sydney by KNILM; TEAL from Sydney to Auckland;
FAM 19 to San Francisco; USA domestic airlines to Miami; FAM 6-10 to destination.
Notes : Manuscript endorsement KNILM Trans Tasman, PAA to USA and Onward Air Transmission indicates the KNILM service to Australia, to connect with Pan Am FAM 19 service to the USA, and airmail all the way to destination .
Censored in the Dutch Indies. Uncommon destination for Pacific Clipper mail.
Rate : 1.20 Gld
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Netherlands East Indies to Curacao, NWI
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Posted : Nov 6, 1940 at Medan
Route : Medan to Singapore by KNILM; possibly by surface to Hong Kong; FAM 14 China Clipper departed Hong Kong on Nov 13, arrived in Honolulu on Nov 19.
Due to problems and delays, departed Honolulu on Nov 27, arriving in San Francisco on Nov 28.
USA domestic airlines to New York. Backstamped Honolulu Nov 19 and New York Nov 29.
Notes : The China Clipper arrived in Honolulu on Nov 19 and was delayed there due to problems.
It left on the 24th, but returned, left again on the 25th, and was forced to return yet once more. It successfully departed for San Francisco on the 27th arriving on the 28th.
Note the dates of the backstamps - Honolulu Nov 19, New York 11 days later on Nov 29, verifying that this cover was on that delayed flight.
Very nice OAT directional label tied to the cover.
Rate : 5.25 Gld includes the 5g High Value stamp
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Netherlands East Indies to USA
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Posted : Nov 11, 1940 at Soerabaja
Probable Route : KNILM "Charter" Flight service" from Soerabaja to Manila; FAM 14 from Manila to San Francisco;
USA domestic airlines to New York. Censored at Soerabaja.
Notes : Large commercial cover with very high 7 color franking includes several high value Queen Wilhelmina issues.
In 1941 the Dutch Guilder was $.53. This cover has the equivalent of $9.73 US in franking.
Rate : 18.35 Gld - 27 times the airmail rate = $9.73 US
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Netherlands East Indies to USA
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Posted : Dec 29, 1940 at Tarakan
Route : Tarakan to Manila by KNILM "Charter" Flight 14 on Jan 7; FAM 14 California Clipper departed Manila on Jan 9, arriving Honolulu Jan 13 and San Francisco Jan 15.
USA domestic airlines to New York; FAM 18 Atlantic Clipper to Lisbon; BOAC to England; Backstamped Honolulu Jan 13, New York Jan 18, London Feb 1, Newbury Brakes Feb 3.
Notes : Long commercial two-ocean cover with one of the highest frankings I have ever seen from the Dutch Indies.
In 1941 the Dutch Guilder was $.53. This cover has 45.75 Gld, the equivalent of $24.25 US in franking. Although this cover is endorsed "By KNILM /Trans Tasman/P.A.A.",
which would indicate service to Australia, to connect with Pan Am's FAM 19 service from Auckland, the cover did not go this route. The Honolulu transit of Jan 13 confirms that this cover was carried on the FAM 14 California Clipper flight which left Manila on Jan 9.
We know there was a KNILM "Charter Flight" which went from Batavia, through Tarakan to Manila, arriving on Jan 7. This cover was most likely on that flight.
Rate : 45.75 Gld = 260gr rate = 52 times the airmail rate - base rate (.15 1st 20gr + .10 each addl 20gr x12) + registration fee .20 + air surcharge (.85 per 5gr x52) = exactly 45.75 gld = the equivalent of $24.25 US
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Netherlands East Indies to England
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Posted : Feb 15, 1941 at Sourebaja
Route : KNILM from Sourebaja to Batavia; Batavia to Manila by KNILM Special Flight arriving Feb 19; FAM 14 China Clipper departed Manila on Feb 21, arriving in San Francisco Feb 26; USA domestic airlines to
Miami; FAM 6-10 to Buenos Aires. Backstamped Buenos Aires March 5, 1941.
Notes : Arrival marking of March 5, 1941 at Buenos Aires confirms this cover went by transpacific air service to South America in an amazing 18 days .
Rate : 1.15 Gld - presumably the single rate to South America.
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Netherlands East Indies to Argentina
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Posted : Nov 10, 1941 at Soerabaja
Route : KNILM from Soerabaja to Singapore; FAM 14 ANZAC Clipper departed Singapore on Nov 21 arriving at San Francisco Dec 1.
Notes : On Nov 13, 1941 the ANZAC Clipper departed San Francisco on what would be it'sLast Complete FAM 14 Flight.
The ANZAC arrived in Singapore on 20, and departed Nov 21 for the return trip to San Francisco, arriving on Dec 1.
This cover is backstamped San Francisco Dec 1, verifying that it was on the last complete flight of the ANZAC Clipper.
Rate : 1.65 Gld - Registered double airmail rate
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Netherlands East Indies to USA
(Last Complete Flight - ANZAC Clipper)
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