The postmarks and postal markings found on items from German East Africa are very diverse due to the extensive German activity in German East Africa prior to World War I, and the fact that German forces continued to operate in the colony until the end of the war.
The most numerous postmarks include those of the German post offices and the Usambara and Mittellandbahn Bahnposts.
Numerous Marine-Schiffspost postmarks and seepost postmarks can be found on items from German East Africa due to the extent of German naval and steamer operations in the colony. Additionally, due to the nature of the military situation in German East Africa, numerous World War I postmarks, postal markings, and censor marks are known.
NOTE: Due to the volume of postmarks to be displayed in this portion of the website, the following postmarks – WWI items including provisional frankings, Feldpost, censor & route markings; Marine-Schiffspost; and Seepost and related markings. – can be found in Postmarks of German East Africa – Part II.
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