World War 2 Collection (#89)

Woman armaments worker, World War II, 1940. A woman in a tank factory being instructed in the use of a metal power drill

British firefighters damping down a bombed church, World War II, June 1940. Two firefighters use a hose to spray water onto smouldering roof timbers

Members of the Womens Volunteer Defence Corps being trained in rifle drill, World War II, 1940. Small arms were in short supply

Local residents supplying refreshments to soldiers evacuated from Dunkirk, World War II, 1940. After the dramatic German advance through the Low Countries and France in May 1940

Rescue workers releasing a man from a bomb damaged building, World War II, 1940. The large-scale German bombing campaign directed at Britains cities began in August 1940

Londoners made homeless by a German air raid during the Blitz, World War II, October 1940. Holding some treasured possessions recovered from the ruins, they put on brave, smiling faces

Womens Land Army lifting a crop, World War II, 1940. The Womens Land Army was established to meet the demand for agricultural labour caused by the absence of male farm workers on active service

Hawker Hurricanes flying in formation, Battle of Britain, World War II, 1940. Hawker Hurricanes of Fighter Command, a first line of defence against the incoming German bombers attacking England

Hawker Hurricane in flight, Battle of Britain, World War II, 1940. A Hawker Hurricane of Fighter Command on its way to intercept German bombers as they crossed the south coast of England

Aftermath of a German bombing raid, Merseyside, World War II, March 1941. Rescue workers searching for survivors in the wreckage of buildings after a Luftwaffe air raid

British girls of the Womens Land Army learning to plough with a tractor, World War II, 1939-1945. The Womens Land Army was established in June 1939 to meet the demand for agricultural labour caused

Clearing snow on the Champs Elysees, German-occupied Paris, winter, 1941

Queue outside the Bureau of Information for civilians in the Chamber of Deputies, Paris, July 1940
Queue outside the Bureau of Information established for civilians in the Chamber of Deputies, German-occupied Paris, July 1940

Soup kitchen for the needy, les Halles, German-occupied Paris, February 1941

Opening of a restaurant by popular French singers, Paris, September 1941. From left to right; Johnny Hess, Lys Gauty, Elyane Celis, Charpini

French citizens listening to a broadcast by Vichy deputy premier Admiral Darlan, 23 May, 1941
French citizens listening to a broadcast by Vichy deputy premier Admiral Francois Darlan, 23 May, 1941

Vichy French anti-British propaganda poster, 1940-1944. The map shows locations and dates of incidents perceived as having been provoked by the British at the expense of France

Delivery of furniture confiscated from Jews to victims of RAF bombing, Paris, April 1942
Delivery of furniture confiscated from Jews to victims of RAF bombing, Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris, April 1942

Outside the Gare de l Est, German-occupied Paris, September 1940. As the Germans restricted the use of petrol, handcarts replaced taxis as the means of transporting luggage

Families leaving their village bombarded during the Normandy landings, France, 1944

Refugees with their belongings, German-occupied Paris, July 1940

Bicycle taxis in the Place d Etoile by the Arc de Triomphe, German-occupied Paris, August 1943. Petrol was in short supply during the occupation and what was available went to the Germans

Destroyed building, liberation of France, St Cyr, August 1944

Burned out vehicles in the Rue de Castiglione, liberation of Paris, 25 August 1944. The citizens of Paris staged an uprising against the occupying Germans as the Allies neared the city

VE Day celebrations, Paris, 8 May 1945. A soldier smothere with kisses by jubilant women

Billboard with men putting up propaganda posters, Paris, World War II, 1939-1945

Allied motor torpedo boat on patrol off the French coast, 1944

Signing of financial accord between Britain and the Free French, Algiers, 8 February 1944. Duff Cooper, British Government liasion to the Free French, signs the document

Liberation of Paris, 25 August 1944. Gendarmes, soldiers and Resistance fighters escorting German prisoners through crowds of jubilant civilians in front of the Opera

French Maquis encampment, France, 1940-1944. The Maquis were bands of Resistance fighters who waged a guerrilla campaign against the Germans

Arrival of the first German troops in Paris, June 1940. The Germans entered Paris, which had been declared an open city by the departing French government, on 14 June

German troops arriving by train, Paris, August 1940

American amphibious vehicles, Le Havre, France, 1944. The vehicles are being used to provide a shuttle service between ships anchored offshore and the harbour

German soldiers on a railway platform awaiting transport, Paris, August 1940

Scuttled ship in Marseilles harbour, France, c1945-1949. As the Germans retreated in 1944 they destroyed the port, blocking the harbour with 192 wrecked ships

Demobilised French soldiers arriving at the Gare d Austerlitz, Paris, 1945(?)

Meeting between German officers and French Vichy government officials, France, 1940-1944. German officers, including Colonel Hans Speidel (right) meeting the Vichy French Minister of Defence

Allied commanders in France, 1944. From left to right; Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, General Dwight D Eisenhower, Air Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder

French General Philippe Leclerc outside Notre Dame, liberation of Paris, August 1944. Leclerc was commander of the 2nd Armoured Division, the first Allied unit to enter the city

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945), 32nd President of the USA 1932-1945, c1943. Roosevelt served an unprecedented four terms as President

John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley (1882-1958), Scottish politician and administrator
John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley, Scottish Conservative politician and administrator. After a civil service career which culminated with the post of Governor of Bengal from 1932-1938

Chaplain of the lst Munsters saying a burial prayer over soldiers killed in their trench, 1918
Chaplain of the lst Munsters saying a burial prayer over soldiers killed in their trench by a German shell, Near Cambrai, October 1918. World War 2

Evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk, 27 May - 3 June 1940. Troops wading out to find a place on rescue vessels, World War 2

German invasion of Poland, 1 September 1939, using 45 German divisions and aerial attack. By 20 September only Warsaw held out, but final surrender came on 29 September

Destruction of bridge over River Meuse by Belgians to stop German advance, World War 2, 1940
Destruction of bridge over River Meuse by the Belgians in an attempt to stop the German advance. Here German light tank temporarily checked, 13-14 May 1940. World War 2

Bombing of Helsinki by the Russians, World War 2, c1940. Block of flats in flames after a direct hit

British retreat from Dunkirk, World War 2, 1940. British troops forming into winding queues waiting to board small boats which ferried them to larger vessels for transport back to UK

Air filters, Maginot Line, France, 1939. Conceived by Andre Maginot (1877-1932) as an impegnable wall on Frances eastern frontier, the Maginot Line was a vast linked set of fortifications

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"World War II: A Glimpse into the Triumphs and Struggles of a Global Conflict" St. Paul's Survives: Amidst the chaos, London's iconic cathedral stands tall as a symbol of resilience during World War II. Winston Churchill's V for Victory Sign, 1942: The indomitable leader inspires hope with his iconic hand gesture, rallying nations against tyranny. Red Army Soldiers Raise Soviet Flag over Reichstag in Berlin, Germany, April 30, 1945: A powerful image captured by Vladimir Grebnev marks the end of Nazi rule and victory for the Allies. USA B-17 Bomber Aircraft Cockpit in Salinas, California: The nerve center where brave pilots embarked on perilous missions to secure freedom from above. The Renown, Ark Royal, and Sheffield c1939-1941 (1942): Unknown creators immortalize these mighty warships that played crucial roles in naval battles across oceans. Lancaster Bomber with Spitfire Fighter Planes at Goodwood Revival 2011: An awe-inspiring sight showcasing aerial prowess and teamwork during wartime aviation operations. Westland Lysander 1941: This mysterious aircraft served valiantly behind enemy lines as part of covert operations throughout World War II. LMS Coach No. 6204 Converted to an Ambulance Train Car in 1939: Witnessing humanity amidst conflict as medical personnel transformed trains into lifelines for wounded soldiers. Runway Perspective (Eric Ravilious) - 1941 (1944): Artist Eric Ravilious captures the essence of airfields where bravery took flight and dreams soared towards victory. Bomb Disposal Unit in Action: Unsung heroes risked their lives daily to defuse deadly explosives left behind by enemy forces—a testament to courage under fire. The 8th Army Commander Bernard Law Montgomery, 1942.