Introduction: The Story of the 6888th Battalion and Its Legacy
During the chaos of World War II, a backlog of millions of undelivered letters threatened the morale of American troops stationed in Europe. In 1945, the U.S. Army turned to an extraordinary group of women to solve this problem: the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, also known as the “Six Triple Eight.” Composed entirely of African American women, this battalion faced immense challenges—not only the logistical nightmare of sorting millions of pieces of mail but also the pervasive racism and sexism of the era.
Their success in completing this monumental task in record time demonstrated their resilience, efficiency, and dedication, though their story remained largely untold for decades. The new Netflix film Six Triple Eight shines a long-overdue spotlight on their contributions, offering both an opportunity to honor their legacy and explore how history is adapted for modern audiences. Through this lesson, students will delve into the history of the 6888th Battalion, analyze its portrayal in film, and reflect on the broader implications of sharing untold stories.
Additional reading
Michelle Obama Michelle Obama
Forgotten battalion of black women celebrated in film. BBC
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Understand the historical significance of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II.
- Analyze the challenges faced by African American women in the military during the 1940s.
- Critically evaluate the ways historical events are depicted in media and how artistic choices influence audience perception.
- Reflect on the legacy of the 6888th Battalion in the broader context of race, gender, and history.
Materials
- Smithsonian Magazine article: The Real Story Behind Netflix’s Six Triple Eight
- Netflix film: Six Triple Eight (clips or full movie)
- Primary source documents: Letters, photographs, and official records of the 6888th Battalion see link below.
- Handouts: Discussion questions, film analysis prompts, and a graphic organizer
Lesson Activities
Part 1: Historical Context
- Introduction to the 6888th Battalion
- Provide a brief overview of World War II and the role of women in the military.
- Use the Smithsonian article to introduce the 6888th Battalion, highlighting their mission to clear the mail backlog and their historical significance.
- Group Reading & Discussion
- Divide the class into small groups to read and discuss the Smithsonian article using guided discussion questions (provided as a handout).
- Discussion prompts include:
- What challenges did the 6888th face both abroad and at home?
- Why has this story been historically overlooked?
- Reflection Activity
- Students write a short journal entry imagining they were a member of the battalion.
Part 2: Film Analysis
- Film Screening
- Show key scenes from Six Triple Eight or the entire film, focusing on the women’s camaraderie, challenges, and achievements.
- Film vs. Reality Discussion
- Use a handout with film analysis prompts to guide a discussion comparing the historical account with the film. Questions include:
- What details did the film emphasize or omit?
- How did the filmmakers portray the women’s relationships and struggles?
- Use a handout with film analysis prompts to guide a discussion comparing the historical account with the film. Questions include:
- Critical Analysis
- Students use a graphic organizer to evaluate the film’s effectiveness in telling the story of the 6888th Battalion, focusing on themes like accuracy, representation, and audience engagement.
Part 3: Reflection & Broader Connections
- Class Debate
- Debate question: “Should filmmakers prioritize historical accuracy over dramatic storytelling?”
- Research & Presentation
- Assign groups to research other overlooked groups in history, using a structured outline provided on a handout.
- Legacy Discussion
- Facilitate a discussion about the impact of the 6888th Battalion’s work and the importance of sharing untold stories.
Assessment
- Participation: Engagement in discussions and group activities.
- Written Reflection: Journal entry imagining the perspective of a 6888th Battalion member.
- Film Analysis: Completed graphic organizer and discussion prompts.
- Group Presentation: Research and presentation on an overlooked historical group.
Handout 1: Discussion Questions
Title: Understanding the 6888th Battalion and Its Historical Significance
Instructions: Use these questions to guide your reading and discussion of the Smithsonian article. Write responses to the questions or use them as talking points for your group.
- The Mission
- What was the primary mission of the 6888th Battalion during World War II?
- Why was this mission critical to the morale of American soldiers in Europe?
- Challenges Faced
- What challenges did the women of the 6888th Battalion encounter, both in completing their mission and in dealing with discrimination?
- How did their experiences reflect the broader social issues of race and gender in the 1940s?
- Legacy
- Why do you think the story of the 6888th Battalion was overlooked for so long?
- What can this story teach us about the importance of recognizing diverse contributions in history?
- Personal Reflection
- Imagine you were a member of the 6888th Battalion. What aspects of the mission would you find most challenging or rewarding?
Handout 2: Film Analysis Prompts
Title: Evaluating Six Triple Eight: History Meets Hollywood
Instructions: As you watch the film Six Triple Eight, consider the following questions. Afterward, use these prompts to structure your analysis and class discussions.
- Representation of the 6888th Battalion
- How does the film portray the mission and work of the 6888th Battalion?
- Do you think the film effectively conveys the challenges they faced? Why or why not?
- Historical Accuracy
- What aspects of the story seemed true to the history you read about in the Smithsonian article?
- Were there moments where the film seemed to take creative liberties? If so, why do you think the filmmakers made those choices?
- Emotional Impact
- Which scenes or moments stood out as particularly powerful or emotional? What made them effective?
- Artistic Choices
- How did the use of dialogue, music, or cinematography contribute to the overall narrative?
- Did these elements enhance or detract from the historical significance of the story?
- Modern Relevance
- Why do you think this story is important for modern audiences to see?
- How does the film connect the struggles and achievements of the 6888th Battalion to broader themes of race, gender, and perseverance?
Handout 3: Graphic Organizer
Title: Analyzing Six Triple Eight: A Graphic Organizer
Instructions: Use this graphic organizer to compare the historical account of the 6888th Battalion with its portrayal in the film. Provide specific examples and notes for each section.
| Category | Historical Account(Smithsonian Article) | Film Representation (Six Triple Eight) | Your Analysis (What worked? What didn’t?) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mission and Purpose | |||
| Challenges Faced | |||
| Camaraderie and Teamwork | |||
| Representation of Race and Gender | |||
| Legacy and Impact |
Reflection Questions:
- What does this comparison reveal about how history is adapted for film?
- Do you think the film effectively honors the legacy of the 6888th Battalion? Why or why not?
- The Unwritten Record Blog: This blog by the National Archives features several posts about the 6888th Battalion, including photographs and official records12.
- Rediscovering Black History Blog: Another National Archives blog that highlights the contributions of the 6888th Battalion and includes various primary source documents3.