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The postal censorship: deciphering languages
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The postal censorship: deciphering languages
Page showing a series of photos depicting some medals intercepted from Germany, as well as letters marked as photographs which contained rubber and leather instead. Other photos show the rooms dedicated to the interception of post in foreign languages such as Czech, Slovak, Ruthenian, Hungarian and Arabic. Date: 1917
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Media ID 14312580
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Censor Censorship Communication Contraband Control Correspondence Examiner Foreign Freedom Interception Interpretation Language Languages Letter Letters Limit Limitation Mail Postal Censors Decipher Deciphering Examiners
EDITORS COMMENTS
During the turbulent years of the First World War, the role of postal censorship in safeguarding national security and maintaining the morale of troops became increasingly significant. This series of photographs offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the postal censorship operations during this period. The images depict a selection of medals intercepted from Germany, seized as contraband through the mail. The letters marked as photographs, however, hold a more intriguing story. Upon closer inspection, they are revealed to contain not photographs but rubber and leather, cleverly disguised to evade detection. The photographs also showcase the rooms dedicated to the interception and examination of post in various foreign languages, including Czech, Slovak, Ruthenian, Hungarian, and Arabic. These language specialists, known as examiners, played a crucial role in deciphering the contents of the letters and ensuring that no sensitive information reached the enemy. The postal censorship process was a delicate balance between freedom of communication and the need for limitation and control. The examiners worked tirelessly to decipher the contents of the letters, employing their linguistic skills and knowledge of codes and ciphers to protect the nation's security. These photographs offer a fascinating insight into the history of postal censorship during World War I, a critical yet often overlooked aspect of the war effort. The images serve as a reminder of the importance of communication security and the role that language interpretation continues to play in maintaining national security.
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