Title:
V…-Mail (World War II)
Grade Level(s): 6th Grade and 8th Grade Social Studies/Language
Arts
Description:
Students in 6th grade read the book Under
a War Torn Sky by Laura Elliot. In the book the solider
keeps a letter from home that helps to keep his morale
up after his plane is shot down in enemy territory.
Later in the book he writes letters home to his family
and girlfriend. This exhibit shows why the government
needed the creation of V…-Mail. Loneliness and
homesickness were felt by all American service men
and women. Mail was the primary means of communication
during the war. The United States government created
“Victory Mail” or “V…-Mail.”
V-Mail letters were microfilmed versions of full-size
paper sheets. This process helped reduce the size
of overseas shipments and speed delivery time. All
mail from military personnel was censored during the
war. Officers could censor their own mail; enlisted
men had to have their superior officers read their
mail for any “sensitive” materials-things
that, if the letter were intercepted by the enemy,
would give clues to troop location, military strength,
and upcoming military engagements. An assortment of
materials dealing with letter writing, patriotism,
morale, advertising, propaganda and censorship are
included.
Posters, photos and letters are included in this
presentation. Activities included are:
1. Historical Sleuthing-Thinking Outside of the Box
2. Image Puzzle Activities (PowerPoint Slides)
3. What Do You See? Middle School Photographic Analysis
(How V…-Mail was processed Worksheet)
4. The Art of Persuasion…Understanding Propaganda
& Advertising
5. Letters from War and Letters from the Home Front
(V-Mail Letter Writing)
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