The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-08-15

With the L. s. Pacific Fleet,
-QNS)--Just how important does
the Navy consider mail from home
for its fighting men?
Those in command in advanced
areas listed "letters from the
folks" as one OF the four articles
most effective in the prosecution
OF the war.
Ammunition, fuel for ships and
food are the only items which take
precedence over mail via first
available transportation"
Vice Admiral John H. Hoover,
who commands the Forward Area,
Central Pacific, points out:
THE policy OF having the mail
delivered as fast as the means
present permit is heartily support
ed in their area; and may say that
the men engaged in the heavy
work OF distribution display an en-
thusiasm and resourcefulness which
is bringing good results"
Plans for an operation against
enemy-held territory include pro-
vision for mail service as soon as
possible after the invasion.
Delivered During Fighting
An example OF such foresight was
the invasion OF Kwajalein in the
Marshalls. D-Day was January 81.
Three days later, while combined
Army, Navy and Marine forces
were still in action against the Jap
anese on the atoll, the first sea
plane carrying mail arrived. The
same day mail was distributed from
a troop ship. not far off shore, TO
men on vessels supporting the at
tack.
When word flashed from the shore
seven days after the attack began
that organized enemy resistance
had ceased, men trained to estab'
lish postal facilities under such con
ditions went ashore in landing craft
Hampered by Shippers
Working under difficult condi
tons, without shelter and in dan
ger from japanese snipers, the first
mail was distributed on February
to the men comprising the ASSAULT
force. Later when equipment was
brought to the beach from cargo
ships OF the Service Force, these
mail specialists erected their oWr
temporary buildings while others Of
the group worked the mail.
Today this particular Fleet Pos
Office has a staff OF %. They sor
and distribute mail for the men OF
ships in the harbor and uniti
ashore. Two 4o'x100' Quonset hut
and additional space in tents Il
available to handle the daily In
creasing amounts of mail. There i
also In conjunction with the Flee
Post Office a V-Mail unit manned
nv "a men trained in this special
lied work.
Mall Goes by Air
Air transport has brought all tn
island bases OF the Forward Are
within easy reach OF one another
a few hours flying time apart Here
| in lies another extraordinary metz
cd for moving mail, Pilots OF Tran'
port Air Group, Army and Marin
filters. perform spectacular wor
shutting their planes between tn
islands and atolls carrying ireigh
mail. and passengers on urgent mil
sions.
Daily plane service from Pea
Harbor and the mainland makes
possible TO rush great quantities
mail at nearly 200 miles an hour
the proper destination for rapid q
livery. In a recent month nearl
5000 900 letters we're flown to IN
distant Pacific area.
Special Planes Used
On one occasion task force pa'
from a strike against the Japane'
was diverted from It's accustom'
base. Those in charge OF directiI
the flow OF mail ordered spec
planes -borrowing the Area Col
mander's plane among others
verted a ship and moved 1897
pounds OF letters, newspapers, ma
=