Rare, 1943, WWII Italian Occupation of Greece, Original Travel Permit with Photograph, Athens, Carabinieri Reali

Italian Occupation of Greece – Original WWII Travel Permit (Lasciapassare / Passierschein) with Photograph – Athens, 1943

An authentic World War II occupation-era travel permit issued by the Italian military authorities in Athens during the Axis occupation of Greece.

Dated 5 February 1943, this original document was issued by the Comando Piazza Atene – Sezione Carabinieri Reali (Royal Carabinieri Command, Athens) and authorized civilian travel from Athens to Gerolimenas in Laconia (Peloponnese).

The permit is a remarkable survivor from one of the most turbulent periods of modern Greek history and provides direct evidence of the administrative controls imposed upon civilian movement under occupation.

Particularly noteworthy is the presence of the holder’s original identification photograph, handwritten personal details, official signatures, and multiple control stamps applied by occupation authorities. The document is multilingual, reflecting the complex administrative environment of occupied Greece, and contains text and endorsements in Italian, German, and Greek.

Travel permits of this type were essential documents during the occupation years and were subject to strict military supervision. As ephemeral administrative papers intended for temporary use, relatively few have survived.

Details

• Original wartime document
• Not a reproduction
• Date: 5 February 1943
• Issuing Authority: Comando Piazza Atene – Sezione Carabinieri Reali
• Place of Issue: Athens, Greece
• Destination: Gerolimenas, Laconia
• Original attached photograph
• Handwritten personal details
• Official signatures
• Multiple occupation-era control stamps
• Languages: Italian, German, and Greek
• Dimensions: approximately 17 cm × 14 cm

Historical Context

Issued during the Italian occupation of Greece, this document illustrates the restrictions placed on civilian mobility and the bureaucratic mechanisms used by occupation authorities to monitor internal travel. It represents a tangible and personal witness to daily life under Axis administration in occupied Europe.

Condition

Fair condition consistent with wartime use and long-term preservation.

The document shows heavy wear, folds, creasing, stains, edge losses, and handling marks accumulated over more than eighty years. These condition issues are typical for an extensively used wartime travel permit and contribute to its authenticity and historical character.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description and condition report.

Collectibility

• Original WWII occupation document
• Issued by Italian military authorities in Athens
• Original identification photograph
• Multiple official stamps and signatures
• Multilingual wartime administration document
• Rare survivor of the Italian occupation of Greece
• Desirable item for collectors of WWII history, occupation documents, military administration, identity papers, and Greek historical memorabilia

A scarce and evocative wartime document offering a direct connection to civilian life under Axis occupation in Greece.