The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in France
5/27/1945
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The original caption for this photograph reads: "General view of parade which followed ceremony in honor of Jean D'Arc, at the market place where she was burned at the stake. It was the negro WAC battalion's first parade on the continent. Rouen, France."
This photograph shows African American WACs (members of the Women’s Army Corps) in France at the close of World War II in Europe. When WWII started, many American women wanted to fight and serve. The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was created in May 1942 (it would later be named the Women’s Army Corps, or WAC). The War Department followed Army policy and admitted African American women with a 10-percent quota.
African American WAACs were in a separate company from white trainees, and had separate lodging, dining tables, and recreation areas. In July 1943, it was announced that the women of WAAC would be classified under the same ranks as soldiers, a big victory for women’s equality. The unit name changed to the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). African American WACs didn’t receive the same specialized training that white WACs had, however, and most were trained in motor equipment, cooking, or administrative work.
One of the biggest complaints amongst African American women in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) was that there were no African American WACs overseas. The WAC had to abide by all Army regulations, and overseas commanders had the right to designate race or color of units being sent, and no African American WACs were requested. Eleanor Roosevelt intervened on their behalf, however, and the War Department directed commanders to accept African American WACs.
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was a unit of more than 800 African American WACs, and was the only African American WAC unit to serve overseas. They arrived in England in February of 1945, with the task of working through a huge backlog of mail meant for the troops. General Eisenhower wanted this mail to be delivered as a means of helping with the morale of the troops. Working in three shifts around the clock, they sorted all of the mail in half the amount of time expected, just 3 months. Once finished in Birmingham, the unit went on to Rouen, France, and ultimately Paris.
The original caption for this photograph uses the term "negro" to refer to Black people, which was commonly accepted in that era, but is outdated and inappropriate today.
This photograph shows African American WACs (members of the Women’s Army Corps) in France at the close of World War II in Europe. When WWII started, many American women wanted to fight and serve. The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was created in May 1942 (it would later be named the Women’s Army Corps, or WAC). The War Department followed Army policy and admitted African American women with a 10-percent quota.
African American WAACs were in a separate company from white trainees, and had separate lodging, dining tables, and recreation areas. In July 1943, it was announced that the women of WAAC would be classified under the same ranks as soldiers, a big victory for women’s equality. The unit name changed to the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). African American WACs didn’t receive the same specialized training that white WACs had, however, and most were trained in motor equipment, cooking, or administrative work.
One of the biggest complaints amongst African American women in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) was that there were no African American WACs overseas. The WAC had to abide by all Army regulations, and overseas commanders had the right to designate race or color of units being sent, and no African American WACs were requested. Eleanor Roosevelt intervened on their behalf, however, and the War Department directed commanders to accept African American WACs.
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was a unit of more than 800 African American WACs, and was the only African American WAC unit to serve overseas. They arrived in England in February of 1945, with the task of working through a huge backlog of mail meant for the troops. General Eisenhower wanted this mail to be delivered as a means of helping with the morale of the troops. Working in three shifts around the clock, they sorted all of the mail in half the amount of time expected, just 3 months. Once finished in Birmingham, the unit went on to Rouen, France, and ultimately Paris.
The original caption for this photograph uses the term "negro" to refer to Black people, which was commonly accepted in that era, but is outdated and inappropriate today.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer.
National Archives Identifier: 175539237
Full Citation: Photograph 111-SC-426441; The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in France; 5/27/1945; Photographs of American Military Activities, ca. 1918 - ca. 1981; Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, Record Group 111; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/6888th-battalion-france, March 22, 2023]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
