V-Mail Letter from Joseph Fox
stationed in Occupied Germany
Censor Stamped
Mr. Mrs. Albert Fox Germany
24-16 38th Avenue May 23, 1945
Long Island City
New York
From Cpl Joe Fox 32524657
Btry B 377th AAA AW BN
APO 4 C/O PM
New York, NY
Dear Al & Peg
Just a few lines to let you know that all is all right with me. The weather is still swell, just got through playing a little game of volley ball. They sent two boys home from my outfit the other day. They were so happy they couldn't even believe that they, at last, were on their way home. I’d faint I guess it they told me to pack my bags and get ready to go home.
I got a letter from Russell [Russell Fox] the other day. He says that he is sweating out a furlough to England. He didn't say anything about going home though. I guess if I stay around here long enough that I might get a furlough too.
So How is Alan Ladd? I always thought that Al looked like him too. Now you will have your trouble Peg.
Roy seems to be getting kicked around quite a bit. As long as they don't send him to the CBI he'll be OK
You should see how these proud Germans wait for us to throw our butts away so they can pick them up. What a laugh They are so low it that is isn’t even funny. Quite a difference from a few years ago. Guess they thought we would never get here.
There isn't very much that I can write about. We are at a standstill here. We have a pretty nice set up in German barracks. Hot showers and all.
I saw that picture, Bathing Beauty, the other day. That Esther Williams is quite a kid. She can put her shoes under my sack any day at all. I hope they let us see more pictures like that. They are good for the morale.
I don't know just how long we have to sweat this out over here, but I went this far so I guess I can make the rest. You can't tell though, I'm liable to surprise you some day and walk in on you.
Well people that’s about all for now. Don't forget to write so often as you can. Take it easy.
Bro Joe
V-Mail
A "V-Mail" was comprised of a single sheet of paper measuring 4-1/4 by 5 inches. During World War II cargo space and weight on ships was at a premium and the hundreds of sacks of mail weighing tons took up too much valuable space. Mail was often held up in favor of supplies. To overcome the demoralizing effect of not getting the mail delivered, the post office came up with a standardized size paper and envelope. Letters were written and then microfilmed. The microfilm was then sent in place of the letter, saving valuable space and still getting letters to our troops and home to soldiers families. The letters were printed on the receiving end and then delivered. V-Mail was sent and received from June 1942 through November 1945.
From: http://www.skylighters.org/encyclopedia/vmail.html