First, the magnum opus on WWII postal operations is that entitled "The United States Post Office in World War II" edited by Dr. Lawrence Sherman and published by the Collectors Club of Chicago in 2002. It has a section that describes the functions of the BPOs but not the history or locations. This brings us to the second key reference, which is "Numbered Army & Air Force Post Office Locations, Volume 1" by Russ Carter and published by the Military Postal History Society in 2001.
Russ lists each of the BPOs with when and where they functioned, but the layout of the handbook doesn't provide much space for details. However, it does give key dates. As to BPO #1, it was activated at the New York Port of Embarkation on 4 June 1942, established at Sutton Coldfield on 30 June and began operations the following day.
Apparently, a Detachment A was sent from the BPO to London to operate the V-mail station there in the spring of 1944.
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