Unfranked cover with ms notation indicating “επείγον, ι.χ.” [urgent, to be given into her own hands] to Athens from the 2nd Hellenic Air Force Squadron (No. 531) based at Mikra airbase by Thessaloniki, Greece prepared to be moved to the Turkish Front but cancelled after Turkey signed the armistice at Moudros on 20 October 1918; finally, the unit was dissolved in early February 1919.
Sender’s details on flap: ‘‘Π. Παπαμαρκάκης, Λοχ. 2ας Μοίρας Αεροπλάνων, Τ.Τ. 900” [Sergeant, Postal Sector 900].
Addressee is Miss Georgia Despotopoulou, known along with her two sisters Nefeli and Ioanna for having kept correspondence with Greek enlisted men in all fronts from 1912 (Balkan Wars) to 1922 after the end of the expedition to Turkey. The young lady used also different pseudonyms for special cases, and one such was to honour the “Gevgeli Doiran Battle” on 18-19 September 1918.
Postmarked for despatch with “ΣΤΡΑΤ. ΤΑΧΥΔΡΟΜΕΙΑ / 3 ΝΟΕΜ. 1918” military date-stamp [(Greek) Army Postal Sector 900, 3 November 1918].
Backstamped on flap on arrival in Athens with ΑΘΗΝΑΙ ΚΕΝΤΡΙΚΟΝ ΣΤΡΑΤ. 8 ΝΟΕΜ. 18 [Athens Central Military PO, 8 November 1918], and entered the Greek civil postal stream, receiving the same day civil “ΑΘΗΝΑΙ 8 NOE. 18. ΚΕΝΤΡΙΚΟΝ” machine cancellation [Athens Arrival, 8 November 1918].
[The large handwritten pencil number “27” on cover’s front side indicates addressee’s incoming serial number, placed on each new letter received and filed in arithmetical progression for reference as each letter was always answered later.]
All dates in Julian calendar.
Item condition: Good, although opened a bit roughly; see scans.