Dec 7, 2024 Story by: Editor
A new Netflix film, The Six Triple Eight, highlights the untold story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female U.S. battalion deployed to Europe during World War II. This long-overdue tribute, according to a museum curator, “hopefully brings a new audience to the subject.”
The film portrays the battalion’s mission: clearing a two-year postal backlog to boost morale among U.S. troops stationed overseas. The operation was no small feat, involving 855 women who worked tirelessly in Birmingham, England, where piles of undelivered mail had accumulated in rat-infested warehouses.
A Story of Perseverance and Equality
The battalion faced challenges both abroad and at home. Departing the U.S. in early 1945, they left behind a segregated society under the oppressive “Jim Crow” laws, which denied Black citizens equal rights. However, in England, they found a strikingly different atmosphere. Evelyn Johnson, one of the women in the unit, shared in an oral history interview, “We were treated royally.” Johnson recounted how warmly the women were welcomed into British homes and noted the stark bomb damage in Birmingham that left a lasting impression on them.
Dr. Hattie Hearn of the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, where parts of the movie were filmed, said, “Evelyn Johnson talked about how proud the women were to do this task, and that sense of identity and achievement lasted the rest of their lives.”
Accomplishing the Impossible
Under the leadership of Maj. Charity Adams, played by Kerry Washington, the battalion cleared 17 million letters and parcels in just three months—half the time allotted. The work involved relentless shifts exceeding 24 hours, in harsh conditions. Dr. Hearn remarked, “Their enthusiasm to serve overseas and their sense of being chosen for this extraordinary mission was evident.”
One of the most memorable moments for the battalion came when they paraded before Queen Mary in London, a testament to their groundbreaking service.
Recognition That Came Too Late
Despite their monumental achievements, the Six Triple Eight received no public acknowledgment upon their return to the U.S. in 1946. It is only recently that their contributions have begun to gain the recognition they deserve.
The film, currently showing in theaters, will stream on Netflix starting December 20. By bringing their story to a global audience, it seeks to preserve their legacy and inspire new generations. Source: BBC
