Second World War 1939 1945 Collection

Preparation for the Normandy Landings, Slapton Sands, Devon, 1944 (b / w photo)
1741643 Preparation for the Normandy Landings, Slapton Sands, Devon, 1944 (b/w photo) by Unknown photographer, (20th century); (add.info)

African-American Marines, Battle of Peleliu, 15th September 1944 (b / w photo)
1720216 African-American Marines, Battle of Peleliu, 15th September 1944 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (20th century); (add.info.: Peleliu battle, september 15)

We Will Beat the Enemy with our Bolshevik Harvest Gathering, 1941 (lithograph)
FIA5405776 We Will Beat the Enemy with our Bolshevik Harvest Gathering, 1941 (lithograph) by Sittaro, Alexei Gumbertovich (1906-1942); 70x50 cm; Russian State Library, Moscow

Effects of the Atomic Bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki (b/w photo)
8625728 Effects of the Atomic Bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Effects of the Atomic Bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki (b/w photo)
8625726 Effects of the Atomic Bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Effects of the Atomic Bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki (b/w photo)
8625724 Effects of the Atomic Bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Effects of the Atomic Bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki (b/w photo)
8625720 Effects of the Atomic Bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Effects of the Atomic Bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki (b/w photo)
8625732 Effects of the Atomic Bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Effects of the Atomic Bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki (b/w photo)
8625719 Effects of the Atomic Bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Plotting enemy and British aircraft positions in an operations room (b/w photo)
8649406 Plotting enemy and British aircraft positions in an operations room (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Flight Mechanics at work on a Beaufighter (b/w photo)
8649405 Flight Mechanics at work on a Beaufighter (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Flight Mechanics at work on a Beaufighter)

WAAF Telephonists (b/w photo)
8649402 WAAF Telephonists (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: WAAF Telephonists. Illustration for The W.A.A.F. in action (A&C Black, 1944)

A Middle East Photographer prepares an aerial camera (b/w photo)
8651449 A Middle East Photographer prepares an aerial camera (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Middle East Photographer prepares an aerial camera)

WW2: A Stirling is refuelled, her bomb-racks open ready for bombing-up (b/w photo)
8639410 WW2: A Stirling is refuelled, her bomb-racks open ready for bombing-up (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Stirling is refuelled)

WW2: Handley Page Halifax bomber (b/w photo)
8639409 WW2: Handley Page Halifax bomber (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Handley Page Halifax bomber. Four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines)

WW2: Sector operations-room in Fighter Command (b/w photo)
8639405 WW2: Sector operations-room in Fighter Command (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sector operations-room in Fighter Command)

WW2: After a raid on Naples a reconnaissance photograph shows many direct hits on railway sidings
8639402 WW2: After a raid on Naples a reconnaissance photograph shows many direct hits on railway sidings and administrative buildings (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Scottish National War Memorial: The English, Irish and Welsh Windows, "Spring" and "Summer"
8648384 Scottish National War Memorial: The English, Irish and Welsh Windows, "Spring" and "Summer" (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Scottish National War Memorial: The British Dominions and Colonies Windows
8648383 Scottish National War Memorial: The British Dominions and Colonies Windows, "Autumn" and "Winter" (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Scottish National War Memorial: The Royal Scots, The Royal Regiment (b/w photo)
8648382 Scottish National War Memorial: The Royal Scots, The Royal Regiment (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Royal Scots, The Royal Regiment)

Scottish National War Memorial: The Mercantile Marine (b/w photo)
8648379 Scottish National War Memorial: The Mercantile Marine (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Mercantile Marine)

Scottish National War Memorial: The Nursing Services (b/w photo)
8648385 Scottish National War Memorial: The Nursing Services (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Nursing Services)

Scottish National War Memorial: The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Princess Louise's (b/w photo)
8648367 Scottish National War Memorial: The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Princess Louise's (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Scottish National War Memorial: Hall of Honour, looking West (b/w photo)
8648357 Scottish National War Memorial: Hall of Honour, looking West (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hall of Honour, looking West)

Women lend a hand (b/w photo)
8634872 Women lend a hand (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Women lend a hand)

"Air defence" display by Territorial Army units (litho)
8655966 "Air defence" display by Territorial Army units (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: "Air defence" display by Territorial Army units)

WW2 and the Inner Temple: The Master's House after the Raids (b/w photo)
8653462 WW2 and the Inner Temple: The Master's House after the Raids (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Master's House after the Raids)

WW2 and the Inner Temple: Fig Tree Court after the Raids (b/w photo)
8653458 WW2 and the Inner Temple: Fig Tree Court after the Raids (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Fig Tree Court after the Raids)

WW2 and the Inner Temple: The Inner Temple Library and Clock Tower after the first Raid of 19 September 1940 (b/w photo)
8653454 WW2 and the Inner Temple: The Inner Temple Library and Clock Tower after the first Raid of 19 September 1940 (b/w photo) by English Photographer

The Spirit of the Navy (coloured photo)
8675972 The Spirit of the Navy (coloured photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Spirit of the Navy)

Modern armaments, 1938: Aerial Torpedo in Position (b/w photo)
8660684 Modern armaments, 1938: Aerial Torpedo in Position (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Aerial Torpedo in Position)

Modern armaments, 1938: Naval Anti-Aircraft Gun (b/w photo)
8660681 Modern armaments, 1938: Naval Anti-Aircraft Gun (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Naval Anti-Aircraft Gun)

Modern armaments, 1938: Modern Machine Rifle (b/w photo)
8660677 Modern armaments, 1938: Modern Machine Rifle (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Modern Machine Rifle)

Modern armaments, 1938: Modern Observation Balloon (b/w photo)
8660674 Modern armaments, 1938: Modern Observation Balloon (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Modern Observation Balloon)

Modern armaments, 1938: Tank Fitted with Wireless (b/w photo)
8660673 Modern armaments, 1938: Tank Fitted with Wireless (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Tank Fitted with Wireless)

Modern armaments, 1938: Modern Battle Cruiser (b/w photo)
8660671 Modern armaments, 1938: Modern Battle Cruiser (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Modern Battle Cruiser)

Modern armaments, 1938: Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun (b/w photo)
8660667 Modern armaments, 1938: Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun)

Modern armaments, 1938: Aerial Torpedo being Fitted (b/w photo)
8660661 Modern armaments, 1938: Aerial Torpedo being Fitted (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Aerial Torpedo being Fitted)

Modern armaments, 1938: Modern Giant Submarine (b/w photo)
8660658 Modern armaments, 1938: Modern Giant Submarine (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Modern Giant Submarine)

Modern armaments, 1938: Heavy Tanks on Manceuvres (b/w photo)
8660654 Modern armaments, 1938: Heavy Tanks on Manceuvres (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Heavy Tanks on Manceuvres)

Modern armaments, 1938: Aircraft Carrier with Planes on Deck (b/w photo)
8660653 Modern armaments, 1938: Aircraft Carrier with Planes on Deck (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Aircraft Carrier with Planes on Deck)

Modern armaments, 1938: Modern Tank (b/w photo)
8660650 Modern armaments, 1938: Modern Tank (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Modern Tank)

Modern armaments, 1938: Flying Boat's Quick-Firing Gun (b/w photo)
8660645 Modern armaments, 1938: Flying Boat's Quick-Firing Gun (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Flying Boat's Quick-Firing Gun)

Modern armaments, 1938: Trench warfare (b/w photo)
8660640 Modern armaments, 1938: Trench warfare (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Trench warfare)

Britain and the countries of Europe preparing for war with air raids and gas masks (b/w photo)
8664246 Britain and the countries of Europe preparing for war with air raids and gas masks (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: And this is 1935)

British aircraft over the Suez Canal (colour litho)
8664049 British aircraft over the Suez Canal (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: British aircraft patrolling over the Suez Canal)

Sinking of HMS Ark Royal, 1941 (b/w photo)
8663972 Sinking of HMS Ark Royal, 1941 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sinking of HMS Ark Royal, 1941)

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The Second World War, spanning from 1939 to 1945, was a defining period in history. It witnessed the relentless efforts of nations preparing for pivotal moments like the Normandy Landings at Slapton Sands, Devon in 1944. In an awe-inspiring black and white photograph, African-American Marines are seen valiantly fighting during the Battle of Peleliu on September 15th, 1944. Propaganda played a significant role during this time as well. A powerful lithograph titled "We Will Beat the Enemy with our Bolshevik Harvest Gathering" symbolizes unity and determination in 1941. The devastating impact of war is captured through a poignant image of King George VI and Queen Mother Elizabeth outside Buckingham Palace after it suffered bomb damage on September 13th, 1940. Amidst the chaos of war, human connections were formed between American soldiers and young French women in Cherbourg on June 29th, 1944. Franklin Roosevelt's influential speech at the Eighth American Scientific Congress in Washington DC showcases his leadership amidst global turmoil. Art also served as an expression during these dark times. Alexander Isaakovich Rusakov's painting "Pendant le siege de Leningrad" depicts hope through a bouquet placed delicately in a blue vase around 1943. As liberation approached, American soldiers proudly marched through Cherbourg on July 14th, while British troops celebrated their triumph over oppression by liberating Lille in October1918. However, not all encounters were peaceful; an American soldier attempted to communicate with locals amidst destruction and uncertainty in Orleans on August19th, 1944. Tragedy struck Oradour-sur-Glane when innocent lives fell victim to massacre on June10th, 1944. Yet even amid despair emerged stories of resilience - "War Baby, " an oil painting created between1918-45 portrays both innocence lost and strength found within the turmoil of war.