South Africa 1939 Barberton Flood Mail, Joburg to Barberton

SA 1939 BARBERTON FLOOD MAIL: Cover to Barberton franked 1d Ship clearly tied by the Johannesburg machine canceller 13 II 39. Front shows manuscript endorsement "South African Airways Special Airmail Service". Arrival mark 14 FEB on reverse. VF, scarce, little mail being carried and few surviving. In February 1939 abnormally heavy rains fell in the Northern and Eastern Transvaal with resultant flooding of rivers, impassibility of roads and washing away of railway lines. An emergency airmail service was officially arranged with mail flown between Johannesburg and Barberton by South African Airways.