WW2 Chapter 26 - Military Censors and V-Mail

"Censored" letter, August 1944

During this time, all of their letters back home were being opened by military censors, who had the job of removing anything that was considered "sensitive."



V-mail letter, May 1944

Many of Franklin's letters were also sent using “v-mail” (victory mail) which was intended by the military to reduce space in cargo ships. After going through the censors, a v-mail letter would be photographed, transferred to microfilm for transport, and then transferred back to paper upon arrival. Although v-mail was supposed to be faster than regular mail, it did not seem to make much difference, and there was only enough room to write a few short paragraphs. Therefore, Franklin sent many of his letters using air mail, even though an airmail stamp cost 6 cents, while regular mail and v-mail may actually have been free for military personnel.