An Unusual Deployment
In February 1945, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-Black, all-female unit, arrived in England. Tasked with clearing a massive backlog of mail for U.S. troops in Europe, the battalion was led by Major Charity Adams, the first African American woman to be an officer in the Women’s Army Corps.
Sorting Through Chaos
The mail system was in disarray, with a backlog of 17 million letters and packages piled high in unheated warehouses. Many letters lacked full addresses, some simply addressed to “Junior” or “Bobby.” The 6888th worked around the clock in eight-hour shifts, overcoming cold, rats, and poor conditions to ensure soldiers received word from home.
Efficiency and Dedication
Despite the daunting task, the 855 women of the 6888th cleared the backlog in just three months, far ahead of schedule. They processed over 65,000 pieces of mail a day, maintaining an organized system based on soldiers’ names and service numbers.
A Return to France
After completing their mission in England, the 6888th was sent to France to tackle another mail backlog. They completed their task in Rouen with similar speed and dedication before returning home in 1946.
The 6888th Battalion: The Women Who Cleared the Mail Backlog đź“©
An Unusual Deployment
In February 1945, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-Black, all-female unit, arrived in England. Tasked with clearing a massive backlog of mail for U.S. troops in Europe, the… pic.twitter.com/2E3lQ3ssu1— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) October 22, 2024