Photos Colour and Colourised Photos of WW2 & earlier conflicts
- Thread starter BravoZulu
- Start date
- Featured
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 10,899
- Points
- 388
An Australian sergeant of the 1st Batallion searching German prisoners captured by his unit at Ypres during the fighting on 24 September 1917.
The 1st Division's artillery was in action from the start of the Third Battle of Ypres on 31 July 1917 but the infantry were not called upon until the second phase of the battle commenced on 20 September with the Battle of Menin Road. Attacking across 1,000-metre (1,100 yd) front, along with ten other divisions, including the Australian 2nd Division on their left, the 1st Division captured around 1,500 metres (1,600 yd) of ground, securing Glencorse Wood and gaining a foothold in Polygon Wood.
The Australian divisions suffered 5,000 casualties from the battle – the 1st Division lost 2,754 men – mainly due to retaliatory shelling from heavy artillery after the advance had completed.
The 1st Division was relieved by the Australian 5th Division before the next assault, the Battle of Polygon Wood (26 September), but in turn took up the advance for the following Battle of Broodseinde (4 October), the third and final of the successful bite-and-hold attacks conceived by General Herbert Plumer of the British Second Army. This battle marked the peak of British success during 3rd Ypres and apart from minor roles on the southern flank of the Canadian Corps during the Battle of Poelcappelle, First Battle of Passchendaele and the Second Battle of Passchendaele, it was the end of the 1st Division's involvement. The division's casualties were 2,448 men killed or wounded.
(Photo source - © AWM E00754)
(Colourised by Leo Courvoisier)
The 1st Division's artillery was in action from the start of the Third Battle of Ypres on 31 July 1917 but the infantry were not called upon until the second phase of the battle commenced on 20 September with the Battle of Menin Road. Attacking across 1,000-metre (1,100 yd) front, along with ten other divisions, including the Australian 2nd Division on their left, the 1st Division captured around 1,500 metres (1,600 yd) of ground, securing Glencorse Wood and gaining a foothold in Polygon Wood.
The Australian divisions suffered 5,000 casualties from the battle – the 1st Division lost 2,754 men – mainly due to retaliatory shelling from heavy artillery after the advance had completed.
The 1st Division was relieved by the Australian 5th Division before the next assault, the Battle of Polygon Wood (26 September), but in turn took up the advance for the following Battle of Broodseinde (4 October), the third and final of the successful bite-and-hold attacks conceived by General Herbert Plumer of the British Second Army. This battle marked the peak of British success during 3rd Ypres and apart from minor roles on the southern flank of the Canadian Corps during the Battle of Poelcappelle, First Battle of Passchendaele and the Second Battle of Passchendaele, it was the end of the 1st Division's involvement. The division's casualties were 2,448 men killed or wounded.
(Photo source - © AWM E00754)
(Colourised by Leo Courvoisier)
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 10,899
- Points
- 388
On the 17th of September 1918, Australian soldiers of the 1st and 4th Divisions under the command of Lieutenant General Sir John Monash launched an attack on the Hindenburg Line.
Utilising huge artillery barrages and supported by eight tanks (as well as a number of dummy tanks to confuse the Germans), the Australians successfully broke through the German position on the 18th of September.
In that day alone the Australian’s advanced on a six kilometre front and took all their objectives at a cost of 1,200 men, capturing 4,300 Germans in the assault. Despite their success, the Australians and allies had only managed to break through the first of the multiple layers that made up the Hindenburg Line – the Hindenburg Outpost Line.
The assault against the Line proper would not take place until a few weeks later on the 29th of September, at the Battle of St Quentin Canal.
Image: Troops of D Company, 45th Battalion, at their newly captured objective between Bellenglise and Le Verguier, overlooking Ascension Gully, in front of the Hindenburg Outpost Line. They are seen sniping the retreating enemy, who at the time were scampering up the opposite hill slope, in an effort to escape the gun and rifle fire. Identified, first from the right is Private J. O'Hehir.
Utilising huge artillery barrages and supported by eight tanks (as well as a number of dummy tanks to confuse the Germans), the Australians successfully broke through the German position on the 18th of September.
In that day alone the Australian’s advanced on a six kilometre front and took all their objectives at a cost of 1,200 men, capturing 4,300 Germans in the assault. Despite their success, the Australians and allies had only managed to break through the first of the multiple layers that made up the Hindenburg Line – the Hindenburg Outpost Line.
The assault against the Line proper would not take place until a few weeks later on the 29th of September, at the Battle of St Quentin Canal.
Image: Troops of D Company, 45th Battalion, at their newly captured objective between Bellenglise and Le Verguier, overlooking Ascension Gully, in front of the Hindenburg Outpost Line. They are seen sniping the retreating enemy, who at the time were scampering up the opposite hill slope, in an effort to escape the gun and rifle fire. Identified, first from the right is Private J. O'Hehir.
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 10,899
- Points
- 388
25 September 1916.
Battle of the Somme. British infantry attack German lines near Ginchy, France, during the Battle of Morval,
"The least successful sector on September 15 had been east of Ginchy, where the Quadrilateral redoubt had held up the advance towards Morval—the Quadrilateral was not captured until September 18. Another attack was planned for September 25 with the objectives of the villages of Thiepval; Gueudecourt, Lesbœufs and Morval. Like the Battle of Bazentin Ridge on July 14, the limited objectives, concentrated artillery and weak German defences resulted in a successful attack and, although the number of tanks deployed was small, the tanks provided useful assistance in the destruction of machine gun positions."
(newworldencyclopedia.org)
(Photo source - © IWM Q 1309) - Lt. Ernest Brooks
Colour by RJM
Battle of the Somme. British infantry attack German lines near Ginchy, France, during the Battle of Morval,
"The least successful sector on September 15 had been east of Ginchy, where the Quadrilateral redoubt had held up the advance towards Morval—the Quadrilateral was not captured until September 18. Another attack was planned for September 25 with the objectives of the villages of Thiepval; Gueudecourt, Lesbœufs and Morval. Like the Battle of Bazentin Ridge on July 14, the limited objectives, concentrated artillery and weak German defences resulted in a successful attack and, although the number of tanks deployed was small, the tanks provided useful assistance in the destruction of machine gun positions."
(newworldencyclopedia.org)
(Photo source - © IWM Q 1309) - Lt. Ernest Brooks
Colour by RJM
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 10,899
- Points
- 388
A Sopwith Camel forced down and photographed at Clapham Junction at Zillebeke Flanders Belgium 26 September 1917.
'from the collection of Hooge Crater Museum, probably the best private WW1 museum in Belgium. They are currently modernising and revamping their property and exhibitions"
Colourised by Colour by RJM
'from the collection of Hooge Crater Museum, probably the best private WW1 museum in Belgium. They are currently modernising and revamping their property and exhibitions"
Colourised by Colour by RJM
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 10,899
- Points
- 388
An RNZAF F4U-D Corsair (NZ5424) from No 24 Squadron, is looked at by Australian Army personal and some the natives of Papua New Guinea at Jacquinot Bay airstrip. May 1945.
NZ5424 carried the nose art 'Nan' and 32 Bomb strike markers.
24 Squadron had just come from Green Island was probably stopping Jacquinot Bay on their way Bougainville.
Equipped with obsolete Curtiss P-40s, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) squadrons in the South Pacific performed impressively, in particular in the air-to-air role. The American government accordingly decided to give New Zealand early access to the Corsair. Some 424 Corsairs equipped 13 RNZAF squadrons.
By the time the Corsairs arrived, in early 1944 there were very few Japanese aircraft left in New Zealand's allocated sectors of the Southern Pacific, and despite the RNZAF squadrons extending their operations to more northern islands, they were primarily used for close support of American, Australian, and New Zealand soldiers fighting the Japanese as well as attacking Japanese, shipping and food growing areas.
RNZAF Corsairs were never hangared, and as a result the harsh tropical sun took its toll on the paint work.
At the end of 1945, all Corsair squadrons but one (No. 14) were disbanded. That last squadron was based in Japan, until the Corsair was retired from service in 1947.
RNZAF Official Photo
Colourised by Daniel Rarity
NZ5424 carried the nose art 'Nan' and 32 Bomb strike markers.
24 Squadron had just come from Green Island was probably stopping Jacquinot Bay on their way Bougainville.
Equipped with obsolete Curtiss P-40s, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) squadrons in the South Pacific performed impressively, in particular in the air-to-air role. The American government accordingly decided to give New Zealand early access to the Corsair. Some 424 Corsairs equipped 13 RNZAF squadrons.
By the time the Corsairs arrived, in early 1944 there were very few Japanese aircraft left in New Zealand's allocated sectors of the Southern Pacific, and despite the RNZAF squadrons extending their operations to more northern islands, they were primarily used for close support of American, Australian, and New Zealand soldiers fighting the Japanese as well as attacking Japanese, shipping and food growing areas.
RNZAF Corsairs were never hangared, and as a result the harsh tropical sun took its toll on the paint work.
At the end of 1945, all Corsair squadrons but one (No. 14) were disbanded. That last squadron was based in Japan, until the Corsair was retired from service in 1947.
RNZAF Official Photo
Colourised by Daniel Rarity
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 10,899
- Points
- 388
Short Stirling, 'S' N3676, and a crew of No. 1651 CU (Conversion Unit) at Waterbeach, April 1942.
1651 Conversion Unit became 1651 Heavy Conversion Unit in October 1944. Originally formed at Waterbeach in January 1942, it moved to Wratting Common in December 1943, and Woolfox Lodge in December 1944. The unit disbanded in December 1945 at Woolfox Lodge.
The task carried out by 1651 CU, and other units of this type, was to convert newly-trained crews from Operational Training Units onto the type of aircraft they would fly on full operations. The monthly target output from 1651 CU was 32 crews a month, and, provided weather conditions and serviceability allowed, this figure was attained.
Photographer: Charles E. Brown.
Wiki Commons Ref: HU1077814.
Minor Image Repair & Colourisation - Nathan Howland @HowdiColour.
1651 Conversion Unit became 1651 Heavy Conversion Unit in October 1944. Originally formed at Waterbeach in January 1942, it moved to Wratting Common in December 1943, and Woolfox Lodge in December 1944. The unit disbanded in December 1945 at Woolfox Lodge.
The task carried out by 1651 CU, and other units of this type, was to convert newly-trained crews from Operational Training Units onto the type of aircraft they would fly on full operations. The monthly target output from 1651 CU was 32 crews a month, and, provided weather conditions and serviceability allowed, this figure was attained.
Photographer: Charles E. Brown.
Wiki Commons Ref: HU1077814.
Minor Image Repair & Colourisation - Nathan Howland @HowdiColour.
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 10,899
- Points
- 388
Polish General Stanisław Sosabowski (1892-1967), organizer and commander of the famous Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade, at the head of which he fought in 1944 in the Battle of Arnhem.
Knight of the Silver Cross of the Order of Virtuti Militari.
After World War II, Sosabowski worked in Great Britain as a warehouse worker in a factory for electric motors and then TV sets.
"For 17 years I worked in the factory as officially unknown, leading a double life: an ordinary worker 5 days a week, as a factory private - Stan, and the dignified life of a Polish general, in a way the father of Polish paratroopers, known among his people and the British, Americans and the Dutch" . Apparently, some of his British friends learned about the past of "Stan's warehouse keeper" only during the funeral.
General Stanisław Sosabowski died of a heart attack on September 25, 1967 in London. In 1969, paratroopers brought his ashes to Poland, where they were buried - according to Sosabowski's will - at the Powązki Military Cemetery in Warsaw.
Knight of the Silver Cross of the Order of Virtuti Militari.
After World War II, Sosabowski worked in Great Britain as a warehouse worker in a factory for electric motors and then TV sets.
"For 17 years I worked in the factory as officially unknown, leading a double life: an ordinary worker 5 days a week, as a factory private - Stan, and the dignified life of a Polish general, in a way the father of Polish paratroopers, known among his people and the British, Americans and the Dutch" . Apparently, some of his British friends learned about the past of "Stan's warehouse keeper" only during the funeral.
General Stanisław Sosabowski died of a heart attack on September 25, 1967 in London. In 1969, paratroopers brought his ashes to Poland, where they were buried - according to Sosabowski's will - at the Powązki Military Cemetery in Warsaw.
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 10,899
- Points
- 388
British infantry marching through Vieux-Berquin after the Battle of Loos, September 1915.
The Battle of Loos took place from 25 September – 8 October 1915 in France on the Western Front, during the First World War.
It was the biggest British attack of 1915, the first time that the British used poison gas and the first mass engagement of New Army units.
The French and British tried to break through the German defenses in Artois and Champagne and restore a war of movement. Despite improved methods, more ammunition and better equipment, the Franco-British attacks were largely contained by the Germans, except for local losses of ground. The British gas attack failed to neutralize the defenders and the artillery bombardment was too short to destroy the barbed wire or machine gun nests. German tactical defensive proficiency was still dramatically superior to the British offensive planning and doctrine, resulting in a British defeat.
(Photo source - IWM Q 60734)
Maze, Paul Lucien (Photographer)
Colour by Doug
The Battle of Loos took place from 25 September – 8 October 1915 in France on the Western Front, during the First World War.
It was the biggest British attack of 1915, the first time that the British used poison gas and the first mass engagement of New Army units.
The French and British tried to break through the German defenses in Artois and Champagne and restore a war of movement. Despite improved methods, more ammunition and better equipment, the Franco-British attacks were largely contained by the Germans, except for local losses of ground. The British gas attack failed to neutralize the defenders and the artillery bombardment was too short to destroy the barbed wire or machine gun nests. German tactical defensive proficiency was still dramatically superior to the British offensive planning and doctrine, resulting in a British defeat.
(Photo source - IWM Q 60734)
Maze, Paul Lucien (Photographer)
Colour by Doug
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 10,899
- Points
- 388
"The Grant tank of 8th Army Tac HQ's Defence Company, 27 September 1944. This was General Montgomery's command tank at El Alamein and was a permanent feature of 8th Army Tac HQ."
This M3 Grant served as General Montgomery's personal command tank from 1942 to 1943 during the Desert Campaign and saw use by him through the Invasion of Sicily and mainland Italy before he left the 8th Army and the Italian theatre behind in December of '43 in order to take command of the 21st Army Group in preparation for the Allied invasion of France.
Despite Montgomery's departure, the tank remained a part of the 8th Army's Tac HQ's defence company and survived the war. Wishing that his tank should be returned to his old regiment, Montgomery saw to it that the tank was transported back to England from Austria in 1948 and into the possession of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
After living its retirement on display, the tank was eventually restored between 1985 and 1988 by volunteers at the Army's Armoured Vehicle Depot at Ludgershall, Hampshire, before being handed over to the Imperial War Museum in London where it can be seen today on display in the atrium.
(Photo source - © IWM NA 19106)
(Colourised and Researched by Joshua Barrett from the UK)
This M3 Grant served as General Montgomery's personal command tank from 1942 to 1943 during the Desert Campaign and saw use by him through the Invasion of Sicily and mainland Italy before he left the 8th Army and the Italian theatre behind in December of '43 in order to take command of the 21st Army Group in preparation for the Allied invasion of France.
Despite Montgomery's departure, the tank remained a part of the 8th Army's Tac HQ's defence company and survived the war. Wishing that his tank should be returned to his old regiment, Montgomery saw to it that the tank was transported back to England from Austria in 1948 and into the possession of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
After living its retirement on display, the tank was eventually restored between 1985 and 1988 by volunteers at the Army's Armoured Vehicle Depot at Ludgershall, Hampshire, before being handed over to the Imperial War Museum in London where it can be seen today on display in the atrium.
(Photo source - © IWM NA 19106)
(Colourised and Researched by Joshua Barrett from the UK)
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 10,899
- Points
- 388
28 September 1917
"Medical details of the 45th Battalion sheltering in a trench at Anzac Ridge, in the Ypres Sector" (Official caption).
Identified, left to right: 3237 Private (Pte) Isaac John H Steele; Pte J J Robinson; Pte G H Walker; Captain Owen Dibbs, who was killed in action on 28 March 1918, at Dernancourt.
(Photo source - AWM E00839)
Colour by Doug
"Medical details of the 45th Battalion sheltering in a trench at Anzac Ridge, in the Ypres Sector" (Official caption).
Identified, left to right: 3237 Private (Pte) Isaac John H Steele; Pte J J Robinson; Pte G H Walker; Captain Owen Dibbs, who was killed in action on 28 March 1918, at Dernancourt.
(Photo source - AWM E00839)
Colour by Doug
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 10,899
- Points
- 388
About picture above:
28 September 1939 - The Polish Army surrendered nearly 140,000 troops and during the siege around 18,000 civilians of Warsaw perished. As a result of the air bombardments 10% of the city's buildings were entirely destroyed and further 40% were heavily damaged.
The news of the armistice was conveyed to the world in the following message broadcast from Warsaw on September 28th:
“After 20 days of heroic defence, after practically the destruction of half the city, and after the destruction of the waterworks, electric plant and other public utility services, the military authorities have decided that these disaster, coupled with the lack of ammunition and the impossibility of obtaining early assistance from the allies, make it futile to defend the city further, involving as it would the risk of pestilential diseases as well as the entire destruction of the city, the heroic defence of which will certainly pass into history. An armistice has, therefore, been agreed upon since noon, and the conditions for the capitulation are now being discussed. the most honourable terms are being demanded by the Warsaw military authorities.”
(Color by Mikołaj Kaczmarek)
Thank You @Redav
28 September 1939 - The Polish Army surrendered nearly 140,000 troops and during the siege around 18,000 civilians of Warsaw perished. As a result of the air bombardments 10% of the city's buildings were entirely destroyed and further 40% were heavily damaged.
The news of the armistice was conveyed to the world in the following message broadcast from Warsaw on September 28th:
“After 20 days of heroic defence, after practically the destruction of half the city, and after the destruction of the waterworks, electric plant and other public utility services, the military authorities have decided that these disaster, coupled with the lack of ammunition and the impossibility of obtaining early assistance from the allies, make it futile to defend the city further, involving as it would the risk of pestilential diseases as well as the entire destruction of the city, the heroic defence of which will certainly pass into history. An armistice has, therefore, been agreed upon since noon, and the conditions for the capitulation are now being discussed. the most honourable terms are being demanded by the Warsaw military authorities.”
(Color by Mikołaj Kaczmarek)
Thank You @Redav
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2020
- Messages
- 6,777
- Points
- 259
Thanks for adding the text, Im on the smartphone and unable to copy/paste from Facebook
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 10,899
- Points
- 388
Lieutenants Philippe Rousseau (left) and Maurice Rousseau, 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, at a transit camp near Down Ampney, England, 13 February 1944.
Philippe and Maurice were the sons of Lacasse Rousseau, an electrician and engineer, and Gabrielle Fafard, born in Montreal, Canada. Philippe joined le Régiment de la Chaudière in Lévis before enlisting with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion when it was first created in July 1942. Maurice enlisted on 14 December 1940 in Royal Military College, Regiment Montmagny. Both qualified as a paratrooper in Ringway, England at the end of 1943.
PHILIPPE
Around 00:30 a.m. on June 6, Philippe's plane arrived over French territory. The maritime disembarkation will take place around five o'clock in the morning.
Parachuted last, Lieutenant Rousseau finds only four of his men. He immediately heads for the nearest house, with the aim of taking bearings. Having been parachuted away from the designated DZ did not discourage him because he had been parachuted closer to his objective than expected. Lieutenant Rousseau took off immediately in the direction of Dozulé to complete his mission with the four soldiers he had met.
Two hours later, the five men were caught in a cross fire with German soldiers and lieutenant Rousseau died instantly.
The next day, a French peasant found the lieutenant's body lying in firing position, his rifle in the front. It was in Gonneville-sur-Mer. Philippe will have lived only two hours on French soil. He will be the first Canadian soldier killed during the landing.
MAURICE
Maurice Rousseau jumped into France on 5/6 June 1944. He had just married Agnes Hornsby in England before he left for combat. Later, he was attached to the 2nd Special Air Service Regiment. Maurice was assisting members of the French Resistance during Operation Loyton in order to disrupt the railway system in the region.
The mission, between 12 August and 9 October 1944, had the misfortune to be parachuted into the Vosges Mountains, at a time when the German Army was reinforcing the area, against General George Patton's Third Army. As a result, the Germans quickly became aware of their presence and conducted operations to destroy the SAS team.
With their supplies running out and under pressure from the German army, the SAS were ordered to form smaller groups to return to Allied lines. During the fighting and breakout operations 31 men were captured and later executed by the Germans.
Maurice was KIA on 20 September 1944, aged 25. He was given a field burial in Igney Communal Cemetery.
Philippe and Maurice are buried next to each other at the Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France, on 11 December 1945.
@ColourisedPieceofJake
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3565512)
Philippe and Maurice were the sons of Lacasse Rousseau, an electrician and engineer, and Gabrielle Fafard, born in Montreal, Canada. Philippe joined le Régiment de la Chaudière in Lévis before enlisting with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion when it was first created in July 1942. Maurice enlisted on 14 December 1940 in Royal Military College, Regiment Montmagny. Both qualified as a paratrooper in Ringway, England at the end of 1943.
PHILIPPE
Around 00:30 a.m. on June 6, Philippe's plane arrived over French territory. The maritime disembarkation will take place around five o'clock in the morning.
Parachuted last, Lieutenant Rousseau finds only four of his men. He immediately heads for the nearest house, with the aim of taking bearings. Having been parachuted away from the designated DZ did not discourage him because he had been parachuted closer to his objective than expected. Lieutenant Rousseau took off immediately in the direction of Dozulé to complete his mission with the four soldiers he had met.
Two hours later, the five men were caught in a cross fire with German soldiers and lieutenant Rousseau died instantly.
The next day, a French peasant found the lieutenant's body lying in firing position, his rifle in the front. It was in Gonneville-sur-Mer. Philippe will have lived only two hours on French soil. He will be the first Canadian soldier killed during the landing.
MAURICE
Maurice Rousseau jumped into France on 5/6 June 1944. He had just married Agnes Hornsby in England before he left for combat. Later, he was attached to the 2nd Special Air Service Regiment. Maurice was assisting members of the French Resistance during Operation Loyton in order to disrupt the railway system in the region.
The mission, between 12 August and 9 October 1944, had the misfortune to be parachuted into the Vosges Mountains, at a time when the German Army was reinforcing the area, against General George Patton's Third Army. As a result, the Germans quickly became aware of their presence and conducted operations to destroy the SAS team.
With their supplies running out and under pressure from the German army, the SAS were ordered to form smaller groups to return to Allied lines. During the fighting and breakout operations 31 men were captured and later executed by the Germans.
Maurice was KIA on 20 September 1944, aged 25. He was given a field burial in Igney Communal Cemetery.
Philippe and Maurice are buried next to each other at the Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France, on 11 December 1945.
@ColourisedPieceofJake
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3565512)
Similar threads
