GPS June 2020

north of Baranovichi (470 km west of Smolensk) after the surrender of
Smolensk and Sloboda, and were immediately distributed from there,
which resulted in the datestamps between 25 and 30 September. This
is implausible. The groundwork for the establishment of a paragon farm
at Hatitsche was only started (!) after the arrival of the former Sloboda
garrison (at perhaps 26 or 27 September or even later) and one can be
very sure that they had better things to do during the first days and
weeks than distributing a few propaganda stamps cancelled “Sloboda”, a
name that nobody in the area around had ever heard.
Images 16 & 17. Two A multiples
of “Vlasov stamps” with Sloboda
cancellations. The 2 rouble multiple
(Image 16) is cancelled of 23
September 1943, the 50 kopec
multiple (Image 17) is dated 17
September 1943. These rare multiples
are proof that the stamps
were pre-cancelled using various
dates.
It is important to realize that the only existing account about the
distribution of the stamps originates from a Russian nationalist and
former participant of the Russian White Movement who collaborated
with the Germans since 1939. This individual was Boris Alexeyevich
Smyslovsky (aka Holmston-Smyslovskij aka von Regenau) (Image 18).
In the beginning of 1943 he was appointed lieutenant colonel of the
Wehrmacht and was given the command of “Sonderdivision R” (special
division Russia). The main task of this unit was intelligence and the
struggle against the partisans in the German occupied territories of
Russia.
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