In 1944, during the height of WWII, air mail letters (often called aerogrammes or “Air Letters”) were lightweight, self-sealing stationery, frequently using thin blue paper to save weight on aircraft. These letters often featured military censorship, six-cent or six-pence postage rates, and were vital for connecting soldiers with their families.
Design & Usage: Air Letters (often called V-Mail or “Airgraphs” in earlier years) were introduced to reduce the weight of mail, where the letter sheet folded into its own envelope.
Military Mail: Many 1944 letters were “Postage Free” for soldiers or used six-cent red airmail stamps on blue envelopes.
Censorship: Almost all military letters in 1944 were censored, featuring a censor’s stamp and initials.
His first letter after arriving in England.
February 25, 1944. He always signed his letters “All my love, Ernie.”
His last letter home
July 30, 1944.
