V-Mail

 

During World War II, the United States used an efficient means of mail delivery to US forces serving around the country and overseas.

The amount of mail flowing was massive!  "An unprecedented amount of mail was moved about during the war with Army post offices, fleet post offices and US post offices flooded with mail.  Each year of the war, the number of pieces of mail increased.  In 1945, 2.5 billion pieces went through the Army Postal Service and 8 million pieces through Navy post offices.  To bring mail service to those serving worldwide, the military postal system required a global network and innovative practice."  Source

V-Mail was a system used to drastically reduce the space needed to transport mail.  A form was filled out which was photographed in microfilm.  It was then transported, reproduced and delivered.  My mother received mail from my father and my father's brother via V-Mail.  As example is below.  The size of the delivered letter was 4"wide by 5" tall.