Indian Forces Overseas (Stamps and First Day Covers)

 

Postage stamps of the Indian Forces Overseas from the China Expeditionary Force (CEF) in 1900 until 1968. India has participated in 49 UN peacekeeping missions and contributed about 2,08,000 troops.

China Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.). Eight nation alliance (mostly from India) to respond to the Boxers Rebellion in1900. These overprint C.E.F. were used throughout China till 1923.

                                           

                  3 Pies, 1900, overprint C.E.F.

                                            

The Indian troops that fought in the First World War were called "Indian Expeditionary Forces"(I.E.F.). More than 1.3 million Indians served in I.E.F. with about 500 thousand at any one time deployed in 23 countries, India issued a number of stamps overprinted with the letters IEF to be used by Indian soldiers on active service overseas.

                                           

                Half Anna, 1914, Overprint I.E.F.

During the World War II, more than 2.5 million Indian troops participated.

                   

            Countries of Deployment                   

           I.E.F. Base Offices 

                                                 

            India Victory Issue, 12 annas, 1946

Towards the end of the Korean War in 1953, a reinforced brigade known as the Custodian Force of India was deployed for two years for repatriation of the Prisoners of War. Overprint in Hindi language which reads "Bhattiya/ Sanraksha Katak/ Korea

                                          

                    

  Two annas, 1953 with overprint

As part of the United Nations Force in Congo, 5,300 Indian troops were deployed in 1962. Overprint "UN Force India Congo" on these.

                                                

         1,2 and 5 NP, 15 Jan 1962 with overprint

                                       

First Day Cover, Indian Contingent United Nations Force,15 January 1962.

The International Control Commission (1954-72) was an international force established to oversee the implementation of the "Geneva Accords" that ended the Indo-China war with the partition of Vietnam. The force had troops from India, Canada and Poland. Stamps were released in 1954, 1957 and 1968. 

                                           

         13 NP, for Combodia, Laos and Viet-Nam                                                           

                 2 annas, carmine, stamped in 1955.

 

                                           

     1 anna, turquoise, Viet-Nam, stamped in 1956. 

                                      

First Day Cover, International Control Commissions,1968

United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) was the mission in Gaza in 1964. 13,000 Indian troops participated. Nehru Medal and Rose stamps were overprinted.                                                                                      

           15 p, stamped on 15 January 1965

                                  

First Day Cover, Soldier of Peace,15 January 1965