WW2 courier document
1942 Diplomatic courier’s letter.
Though it is not a passport, it is in a way connected to travel documents and to a period of time the many find fascinating and historically important.
The document here would be used together with a diplomatic passport, in most cases, to transfer vital important papers or other material form one diplomatic legation to another, normally abroad. The items carried could be a fresh supply of passports, ID’s, cash, valuables and even weapons for use for protection at other missions abroad. All sealed carefully inside a diplomatic-pouch. As in the past, this practice is even carried out today.
The sample here is a courier’s letter that would be shown when boarding a plane/ship or other means of transportation in order to ensure safe & quick passage to the final destination.
Diplomatic courier letter numbered 10/42 was issued at the Polish consulate at Ottawa, Canada on December 2nd 1942 for use to travel to the embassy at Washington.
Document was issued and signed by diplomat Wiktor Jozef Podoski (1895-1960), who entered into the Foreign Service as World War Two broke out in 1939, after a brief service in the army following the outbreak of war. He was then transferred later that year to Canada at the capacity of Consul General – a post lasting from September 1st 1939 to March 27th 1942. He was then upgraded to Minister Plenipotentiary of the Government of Exile of Poland, a position he held to the end of August 1944. For nearly a year to follow, he served at the Foreign Ministry of the Polish Government in Exile at London, taking charge of the American Department. After Germany’s defeat he returned to Ottawa and acted as Polish consul. 5 years later he passed away.
I have added sampled images of similar documents.
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