Banknote United Kingdom 5 Shillings British Military Authority - 1943 - Serial E

The British Military Authority (BMA) was the military administration established by the British forces after World War II to govern certain occupied areas in Germany and Austria. This authority was set up to oversee civilian administration and maintain order in the British-controlled zones.

The BMA was tasked with various responsibilities, such as managing civilian affairs, ensuring security, distributing humanitarian aid, and supervising daily activities in these regions. It was primarily active between 1945 and 1949 in Germany, overseeing areas such as the Rhineland, Lower Saxony, and later Berlin.

The British Military Authority played a crucial role in stabilizing these regions after the war and in transitioning to local civilian governments. As the political situation evolved and local governments were established, the BMA gradually relinquished its administrative responsibilities until its complete dissolution by the late 1940s.