WW2: Forgotten Mission of the 6888th Battalion

This episode contains references to highly offensive racist language and events.

In February 1945, with the war in Europe still raging, millions of pieces of mail intended for US troops were languishing in warehouses in Birmingham, England. With no spare military personnel available to sort the mail, the US Army turned to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, nicknamed the "Six Triple Eight".

The predominantly Black, all-female battalion, the first of it's kind to go overseas, were tasked with sorting the mail and delivering it to the troops as quickly as possible. Their motto became 'No Mail, Low Morale' given how essential it was to the well-being of troops and military personnel to hear from home and loved ones.

Despite facing racism and discrimination, the Six Triple Eight rose to the challenge and delivered a staggering 17 million pieces of mail in just six months, delivering hope and a little bit of home on the front line.

To help tell their incredible story, host Dr. James Patton Rogers is joined by Commander Carlton Philpot, who has helped to preserve the history of the Six Triple Eight and build a monument to their service. We hear about who the women were, where they came from, and the unique problems they faced sorting mail in the UK, namely, that there were so many Robert Smiths'!

Editor: Annie Coloe

Producer: Elena Guthrie

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