Photos Colour and Colourised Photos of WW2 & earlier conflicts
- Thread starter BravoZulu
- Start date
- Featured
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 11,165
- Points
- 388
3 September, 1939
At 11.15 a.m. British Prime Minister Mr. Neville Chamberlain had broadcast to the nation the following statement announcing that a state of war existed between Britain and Germany.
"This morning the British Ambassador in Berlin handed the German Government a final Note stating that, unless we heard from them by 11 o'clock that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us.
I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany."
At 11.15 a.m. British Prime Minister Mr. Neville Chamberlain had broadcast to the nation the following statement announcing that a state of war existed between Britain and Germany.
"This morning the British Ambassador in Berlin handed the German Government a final Note stating that, unless we heard from them by 11 o'clock that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us.
I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany."
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 11,165
- Points
- 388
RMS Queen Mary a.k.a. The Grey Ghost.
British liner RMS Queen Mary bringing US troops home from the European battlefields, New York Harbor, United States, 20 Jun 1945.
Between the Spring of 1940 and May 1945, the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth phantom -like in their grey war paint had steamed over 930,000 miles- the equivalent to 38 journeys around the world- to bring safely over the oceans some 1,250,000 allied fighting men.
British liner RMS Queen Mary bringing US troops home from the European battlefields, New York Harbor, United States, 20 Jun 1945.
Between the Spring of 1940 and May 1945, the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth phantom -like in their grey war paint had steamed over 930,000 miles- the equivalent to 38 journeys around the world- to bring safely over the oceans some 1,250,000 allied fighting men.
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 11,165
- Points
- 388
5 September 1940
The wreckage of the Messerschmitt Bf 109E4 (‘White 6’) piloted by Leutnant Heinz Schnabel
Schnabel was captured after his Messerschmitt Bf 109E4 (‘White 6’) was shot down and crash landed in Kent on 5 September 1940 during the Battle of Britain. Schnabel was a member of Jagdgeschwader 3 (1 Staffel (squadron)) and was an ace with six confirmed 'kills' to his name at the time.
"5 September 1940: 1./JG3 Messerschmitt Bf109E-4 (nr.1985). Engine damaged in combat with fighters during escort sortie for Do17s to Croydon and belly-landed on Handen Farm, Chapfall, near Aldington, 10.10 a.m. Possibly one of those attacked by F/L J.T. Webster of No.41 Squadron. FF Lt Heinz Schnabel captured slightly wounded. Aircraft White 6 + 100% write-off."
Escape attempt:
"Leutnant Heinz Schnabel and Oberleutnant Harry Wappler were two German prisoners of war (PoW) who made a daring, but unsuccessful attempt, to flee from captivity in England to the Netherlands during the Second World War. They managed to hijack a training aircraft and then attempt to fly to the continent, only to turn back due to lack of fuel. They were subsequently caught and later transferred to Canada for the rest of the war." - (info via wikipedia)
The wreckage of the Messerschmitt Bf 109E4 (‘White 6’) piloted by Leutnant Heinz Schnabel
Schnabel was captured after his Messerschmitt Bf 109E4 (‘White 6’) was shot down and crash landed in Kent on 5 September 1940 during the Battle of Britain. Schnabel was a member of Jagdgeschwader 3 (1 Staffel (squadron)) and was an ace with six confirmed 'kills' to his name at the time.
"5 September 1940: 1./JG3 Messerschmitt Bf109E-4 (nr.1985). Engine damaged in combat with fighters during escort sortie for Do17s to Croydon and belly-landed on Handen Farm, Chapfall, near Aldington, 10.10 a.m. Possibly one of those attacked by F/L J.T. Webster of No.41 Squadron. FF Lt Heinz Schnabel captured slightly wounded. Aircraft White 6 + 100% write-off."
Escape attempt:
"Leutnant Heinz Schnabel and Oberleutnant Harry Wappler were two German prisoners of war (PoW) who made a daring, but unsuccessful attempt, to flee from captivity in England to the Netherlands during the Second World War. They managed to hijack a training aircraft and then attempt to fly to the continent, only to turn back due to lack of fuel. They were subsequently caught and later transferred to Canada for the rest of the war." - (info via wikipedia)
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 11,165
- Points
- 388
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 11,165
- Points
- 388
Two German airmen (L) Pilot Feldwebel Heinz Friedrich, who force landed Heinkel He 111H-3 Code: 1H + CB of 1/Kampfgeschwader 26, are marched off by the Home Guard at Burmarsh, Kent, UK. September 11, 1940
This aircraft was en-route to London when it was damaged by anti-aircraft fire, then it was attacked by fighters, including P/O T. S. Wade and P/O D. G. Williams of No. 92 Squadron. Heinkel dumped its bombs and forced landed at Burmarsh, Kent. The crew then set their aircraft alight which eventually burned out. Crew were all taken prisoner.
Pilot: Feldwebel Heinz Friedrich Captured unhurt
Observer: Feldwebel Heinz Georg Captured wounded
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier Kurt Hoffmann Captured unhurt
Gunner : Unteroffizier August Dreyer Captured unhurt
Gunner: Unteroffizier Heinz Stirnemann Captured unhurt
This aircraft was en-route to London when it was damaged by anti-aircraft fire, then it was attacked by fighters, including P/O T. S. Wade and P/O D. G. Williams of No. 92 Squadron. Heinkel dumped its bombs and forced landed at Burmarsh, Kent. The crew then set their aircraft alight which eventually burned out. Crew were all taken prisoner.
Pilot: Feldwebel Heinz Friedrich Captured unhurt
Observer: Feldwebel Heinz Georg Captured wounded
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier Kurt Hoffmann Captured unhurt
Gunner : Unteroffizier August Dreyer Captured unhurt
Gunner: Unteroffizier Heinz Stirnemann Captured unhurt
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2017
- Messages
- 40,415
- Points
- 463
German Sd. Kfz. 124 Wespe ("Wasp") self-propelled howitzer with its crew.
An Afrikakorps’ Kubelwagen April 1943
Stalingrad October 1942 StuG III
Panther & Sdkfz 251 near Warsaw, August 1944
Sdkfz 251 halftrack and crew
An Afrikakorps’ Kubelwagen April 1943
Stalingrad October 1942 StuG III
Panther & Sdkfz 251 near Warsaw, August 1944
Sdkfz 251 halftrack and crew
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 11,165
- Points
- 388
Today is Battle of Britain Day the name given to the large-scale aerial battle that took place on 15 September 1940, during the Battle of Britain. On this day in 1940, the Luftwaffe embarked on their largest bombing attack yet, forcing the engagement of the entirety of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in defence of London and the South East, which resulted in a decisive British victory that proved to mark a turning point in Britain's favour.
This He 111 is at The Horse and Jockey Pub, Hipley, Hampshire, on 12 July 1940.
Stab.KG 55, G1 + FA, shot down by Hurricanes of 43 Squadron. Oblt Kleinhans killed, other four crew POW.
picture supplied by Andy Saunders
colourised by Colour by RJM
This He 111 is at The Horse and Jockey Pub, Hipley, Hampshire, on 12 July 1940.
Stab.KG 55, G1 + FA, shot down by Hurricanes of 43 Squadron. Oblt Kleinhans killed, other four crew POW.
picture supplied by Andy Saunders
colourised by Colour by RJM
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 11,165
- Points
- 388
American Troops of the 101st Airborne Division relax beside their decorated CG-4 Waco glider before the take-off for the assault on Holland.
377th Field Artillery flown in by the 438th TCG / 87th TCS from Greenham Common.
September 17th, 1944 the largest allied airborne operation during World War II took place, named Operation Market Garden. The goal was to get hold of the bridges over the Maas, Waal and Rhine in the Netherlands. This way, the allied forces bypassed the well defended Siegfriedline (Westwall), which protected Germany along the Rhine and hoped for a quick advance to Berlin, to end the war before Christmas of 1944.
Photo: US Signal Corps Photo (National Archives/NWWIIGPA collection)
377th Field Artillery flown in by the 438th TCG / 87th TCS from Greenham Common.
September 17th, 1944 the largest allied airborne operation during World War II took place, named Operation Market Garden. The goal was to get hold of the bridges over the Maas, Waal and Rhine in the Netherlands. This way, the allied forces bypassed the well defended Siegfriedline (Westwall), which protected Germany along the Rhine and hoped for a quick advance to Berlin, to end the war before Christmas of 1944.
Photo: US Signal Corps Photo (National Archives/NWWIIGPA collection)
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2017
- Messages
- 40,415
- Points
- 463
Type of dummy used in Canadian Forces for instructing troops in Bayonet fighting, designed and constructed by Q.M.S. E. Drake 4th Reserve Battalion. Lt.-Col. H.G. Mayes Canadian Army Gymnastic Staff. Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/ PA-004782.
https://www.vimyfoundation.ca/march-26-propaganda-during-the-great-war/
https://www.vimyfoundation.ca/march-26-propaganda-during-the-great-war/
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 11,165
- Points
- 388
A serial of Douglas C-47 Skytrains of the 315th Troop Carrier Group, dropping 41 sticks of the 1st Polish Airborne Brigade into DZ "O" near Grave, southwest of Nijmegen in Holland, on September 23, 1944, D+6 of Operation Market Garden.
Sticks averaged 18 paratroopers. The CG-4A Waco gliders on the ground were released 37 minutes earlier by the 313th TCG and 61st TCG (92 gliders between 1603 and 1610 hours).
Minutes following this drop, more serials of the 313th TCG and the 316th TCG released another 97 gliders.
On September 23, 42 aircraft of the 315th finally got off the ground from Spanhoe with 560 more paratroopers of the 1st Polish Brigade, and dropped on DZ "O". By then, however, Operation Market Garden had stalled and although a tactical gain was not to be made, the Brigade did manage to send some of their numbers across the river to reinforce the British paratroopers trapped in Oosterbeek, and secure a corridor for their eventual evacuation. Polish Brigade casualties were for the operation were a devastating 25 percent.
This photo was taken by an official US Army Combat Photographer on-scene during the drop.
Grave, The Netherlands area - "Dropping Polish paratroopers amidst U.S. WACO gliders already landed. (From the Liberation Museum 1944 Guide, Groesbeek, The Netherlands)
Sticks averaged 18 paratroopers. The CG-4A Waco gliders on the ground were released 37 minutes earlier by the 313th TCG and 61st TCG (92 gliders between 1603 and 1610 hours).
Minutes following this drop, more serials of the 313th TCG and the 316th TCG released another 97 gliders.
On September 23, 42 aircraft of the 315th finally got off the ground from Spanhoe with 560 more paratroopers of the 1st Polish Brigade, and dropped on DZ "O". By then, however, Operation Market Garden had stalled and although a tactical gain was not to be made, the Brigade did manage to send some of their numbers across the river to reinforce the British paratroopers trapped in Oosterbeek, and secure a corridor for their eventual evacuation. Polish Brigade casualties were for the operation were a devastating 25 percent.
This photo was taken by an official US Army Combat Photographer on-scene during the drop.
Grave, The Netherlands area - "Dropping Polish paratroopers amidst U.S. WACO gliders already landed. (From the Liberation Museum 1944 Guide, Groesbeek, The Netherlands)
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 11,165
- Points
- 388
For @Bombardier
17.09.1944
Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson (second left), the Commander of the British 1st Airlanding Light Regiment, helping to unload Headquarters Royal Artillery equipment from a damaged Horsa glider (Chalk number: 495, 1st Battery) on LZ-Z. The Horsa in question had its wing-tip torn off when it collided with the neighbouring glider moments before landing; these were the first two gliders to land at Arnhem.
From left to right: Signalman Des Wiggins, Lt-Col Thompson (wounded & prisoner of war), Glider Pilot, Signalman "Ginger" J.D.A. Gault (DOW 2-10-1944) and Glider Pilot Captain Norman Hardie)
Chalk number: 495, 1st Battery
Landingzone Z, 12 Gliders took off from Keevil Airfield, towed by Stirlings from 570 Squadron RAF, piloted by Glider pilots from A. Squadron.
(Photo source - © IWM BU 1164)
Army Film and Photographic Unit - Smith D M (Sgt)
(Colourised by Royston Leonard)
17.09.1944
Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson (second left), the Commander of the British 1st Airlanding Light Regiment, helping to unload Headquarters Royal Artillery equipment from a damaged Horsa glider (Chalk number: 495, 1st Battery) on LZ-Z. The Horsa in question had its wing-tip torn off when it collided with the neighbouring glider moments before landing; these were the first two gliders to land at Arnhem.
From left to right: Signalman Des Wiggins, Lt-Col Thompson (wounded & prisoner of war), Glider Pilot, Signalman "Ginger" J.D.A. Gault (DOW 2-10-1944) and Glider Pilot Captain Norman Hardie)
Chalk number: 495, 1st Battery
Landingzone Z, 12 Gliders took off from Keevil Airfield, towed by Stirlings from 570 Squadron RAF, piloted by Glider pilots from A. Squadron.
(Photo source - © IWM BU 1164)
Army Film and Photographic Unit - Smith D M (Sgt)
(Colourised by Royston Leonard)
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 11,165
- Points
- 388
Brigadier General James "Jumpin' Jim" Gavin, CO 82nd Airborne Division, checks his equipment before boarding a C-47 Skytrain plane for the airborne invasion of Holland (Operation Market Garden) from Cottesmore airfield, Rutland, England. 17 September 1944.
(Seen here armed with a M1 Garand rifle and a M1911A1 .45 ACP pistol)
Chalk number one of Serial A-7, 316th Troop Carrier Group. This plane was piloted by Major Kendig, CO of the 44th Troop Carrier Squadron
James Maurice "Jumpin' Jim" Gavin was a senior United States Army officer, with the rank of lieutenant general, who was the third Commanding General (CG) of the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. During the war, he was often referred to as "The Jumping General" because of his practice of taking part in combat jumps with the paratroopers under his command; he was the only American general officer to make four combat jumps in the war.
Gavin was the youngest major general to command an American division in World War II, being only 37 upon promotion, and the youngest lieutenant general after the war, in March 1955. He was awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses and several other decorations for his service in the war. During combat, he was known for his habit of carrying an M1 Garand rifle typically carried by enlisted U.S. infantry soldiers, as opposed to the M1 carbine rifles traditionally carried by officers besides the Colt Model M1911, .45 caliber pistols.
Gavin also fought against segregation in the U.S. Army, which gained him some notoriety. (Wikipedia)
Always the first to jump in combat, Gavin led his men on missions in Sicily, Italy, Normandy (providing support behind the German lines for the D-Day invasion), Holland (the battle for the bridge at Arnhem), and the Battle of the Bulge.
James Maurice Gavin (March 22, 1907 – February 23, 1990)
(Photo and Caption: National Archives and Records Administration Still Pictures Unit SC 232810)
(Colorized by Craig Kelsay)
(Seen here armed with a M1 Garand rifle and a M1911A1 .45 ACP pistol)
Chalk number one of Serial A-7, 316th Troop Carrier Group. This plane was piloted by Major Kendig, CO of the 44th Troop Carrier Squadron
James Maurice "Jumpin' Jim" Gavin was a senior United States Army officer, with the rank of lieutenant general, who was the third Commanding General (CG) of the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. During the war, he was often referred to as "The Jumping General" because of his practice of taking part in combat jumps with the paratroopers under his command; he was the only American general officer to make four combat jumps in the war.
Gavin was the youngest major general to command an American division in World War II, being only 37 upon promotion, and the youngest lieutenant general after the war, in March 1955. He was awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses and several other decorations for his service in the war. During combat, he was known for his habit of carrying an M1 Garand rifle typically carried by enlisted U.S. infantry soldiers, as opposed to the M1 carbine rifles traditionally carried by officers besides the Colt Model M1911, .45 caliber pistols.
Gavin also fought against segregation in the U.S. Army, which gained him some notoriety. (Wikipedia)
Always the first to jump in combat, Gavin led his men on missions in Sicily, Italy, Normandy (providing support behind the German lines for the D-Day invasion), Holland (the battle for the bridge at Arnhem), and the Battle of the Bulge.
James Maurice Gavin (March 22, 1907 – February 23, 1990)
(Photo and Caption: National Archives and Records Administration Still Pictures Unit SC 232810)
(Colorized by Craig Kelsay)
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 11,165
- Points
- 388
Sonniuswijk, Son, September 17, 1944.
A U.S. trooper gives gum to a little Dutch girl after landing behind the German lines in The Netherlands during Operation Market Garden. '
On Sunday afternoon around 1 o'clock the American paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division landed at Son, Sint Oedenrode and Veghel. There were few losses and hardly any German opposition.
The landed paratroopers were enthusiastically welcomed by curious Dutch citizens. An hour after the landing, the American troops began their task: the conquest of no fewer than twelve river links over the Brabant waterways.
In 1974, veteran Bernard M. Nakla from Seattle contacted the local newspaper in Eindhoven (Eindhovens Dagblad). He was the soldier on the right and wanted to know who the girl and boys were in the photo. Only in 1994 were their names traced.
Photo: U.S. Army signal Corps
A U.S. trooper gives gum to a little Dutch girl after landing behind the German lines in The Netherlands during Operation Market Garden. '
On Sunday afternoon around 1 o'clock the American paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division landed at Son, Sint Oedenrode and Veghel. There were few losses and hardly any German opposition.
The landed paratroopers were enthusiastically welcomed by curious Dutch citizens. An hour after the landing, the American troops began their task: the conquest of no fewer than twelve river links over the Brabant waterways.
In 1974, veteran Bernard M. Nakla from Seattle contacted the local newspaper in Eindhoven (Eindhovens Dagblad). He was the soldier on the right and wanted to know who the girl and boys were in the photo. Only in 1994 were their names traced.
Photo: U.S. Army signal Corps
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 11,165
- Points
- 388
18 September, 1944
American Airborne Troops of the 101st Airborne Division (probably 501st PIR) that landed behind the German lines in the south of The Netherlands examine what is left of one of the gliders that had ‘cracked up’
Near Veghel and Son the US 101st Airborne Division of approximately 6,700 soldiers landed. They reached most of the set targets: Sint Oedenrode with the bridges over the river Aa and the Willems canal.
On 18th September 1944, the weather forecast was bad. Because of fog and low clouds the 4th British Para Brigade (commander Brigadier J.W. Hackett) and the gliders in which their equipment had been loaded departed with a delay of 6 hours. Moreover, there also were gliders with units which had not been towed on the first day and a detachment Poles with five 6-pounder anti-tank guns.
After the landing the Poles reported to the British Headquarters which was set up in the Hartenstein hotel in Oosterbeek. War correspondent Marek Swięcicki, the Warrant Officer, was among these Polish soldiers. His first report to England sounded very enthousiastic.
‘In spite of repeated violent German attacks, on the second day after the landing, the 2nd Parachute Battalion could preserve the northern bridgehead of Arnhem’s bridge’
The efforts of the 1st and 3rd Parachute Battalions to reach the bridge as well, were unsuccessful because of strong German opposition in the outskirts of Arnhem.
Colour: ColourisedPieceofJake
Photo: U.S. Army Signal Corps
American Airborne Troops of the 101st Airborne Division (probably 501st PIR) that landed behind the German lines in the south of The Netherlands examine what is left of one of the gliders that had ‘cracked up’
Near Veghel and Son the US 101st Airborne Division of approximately 6,700 soldiers landed. They reached most of the set targets: Sint Oedenrode with the bridges over the river Aa and the Willems canal.
On 18th September 1944, the weather forecast was bad. Because of fog and low clouds the 4th British Para Brigade (commander Brigadier J.W. Hackett) and the gliders in which their equipment had been loaded departed with a delay of 6 hours. Moreover, there also were gliders with units which had not been towed on the first day and a detachment Poles with five 6-pounder anti-tank guns.
After the landing the Poles reported to the British Headquarters which was set up in the Hartenstein hotel in Oosterbeek. War correspondent Marek Swięcicki, the Warrant Officer, was among these Polish soldiers. His first report to England sounded very enthousiastic.
‘In spite of repeated violent German attacks, on the second day after the landing, the 2nd Parachute Battalion could preserve the northern bridgehead of Arnhem’s bridge’
The efforts of the 1st and 3rd Parachute Battalions to reach the bridge as well, were unsuccessful because of strong German opposition in the outskirts of Arnhem.
Colour: ColourisedPieceofJake
Photo: U.S. Army Signal Corps
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 11,165
- Points
- 388
Four prisoners thought to be of the SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 9/9.SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen" shortly before being handed over to the Military Police at Wolfheze, captured during Viktor Graebner's ill-fated attempt to rush through the British defences around Arnhem Bridge on the morning of Monday 18th September 1944.
(Nb. the one second from left is a seventeen year old. All of them are wearing the pea dot 44 camouflage pattern)
The three guards in the background are glider pilots from 'F' Squadron Nº.2 Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment, from left to right, Staff Sergeants Joe Kitchener (died Feb. 2011), L. E. "Duffy" Edwards (later taken as a POW), and George Milburn (died Oct. 2010).
The prisoners could possibly have been amongst the 150 POWs released by the Germans when the British withdrew over the river on September 26.
(Source - IWM BU1159)
(Colourised by Doug)
(Nb. the one second from left is a seventeen year old. All of them are wearing the pea dot 44 camouflage pattern)
The three guards in the background are glider pilots from 'F' Squadron Nº.2 Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment, from left to right, Staff Sergeants Joe Kitchener (died Feb. 2011), L. E. "Duffy" Edwards (later taken as a POW), and George Milburn (died Oct. 2010).
The prisoners could possibly have been amongst the 150 POWs released by the Germans when the British withdrew over the river on September 26.
(Source - IWM BU1159)
(Colourised by Doug)
Similar threads
