Photos Colour and Colourised Photos of WW2 & earlier conflicts
- Thread starter BravoZulu
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This photo was on the cover of 'YANK' Magazine, Continental Edition of January 14, 1945, entitled "PRESENT ARMS" it featured Pfc. Robert Leigh and his collection of enemy weapons taken by the 83rd Infantry Division during the Battle of the Hürtgen Forest. (MP.38 and MP.40's, an MG.34 and an MG42)
The Cover soldier:
Private First Class Robert E. Leigh, from Washington DC, was born on September 15, 1919. He had a Grammar school education and his occupation was listed as "Plumbers, gas fitters and steam fitters".
Robert Leigh (#33044651) enlisted in the service on May 22, 1941 in Richmond, Virginia.
In the European Theatre of Operation (ETO), he was a Rifleman, Private First Class in the 83rd Infantry Division, 329st. Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, B Company, where he was assigned on July 24, 1944, while the Company was in the vicinity of Sainteny, Normandy, France.
The picture for the Yank cover was taken in Gurzenich (Düren), Germany, probably just after the 1st and 2nd Battalion of the 329th Infantry Regiment had taken Gurzenich during the bloody battle of the Hürtgen Forest.
Robert E. Leigh died at age 76, on January 26, 1996.
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Two US soldiers attend to the wounds of an Australian solider in New Guinea, taken during the actual advance during the early weeks of the Battle of Buna-Gona, 28 December 1942.
Following the Allied victory at Milne Bay across August and September, the Japanese advance across New Guinea had been brought to a virtual stand-still. As the historian Samuel Eliot Morison wrote a few years after the end of the war, in 1950:
'...the enemy had shot his bolt; he never showed up again in these waters. The Battle for Milne Bay was a small one as World War II engagements went, but very important. Except for the initial assault on Wake Island, this was the first time that a Japanese amphibious operation had been thrown for a loss ...
Furthermore, the Milne Bay affair demonstrated once again that an amphibious assault without air protection, and with an assault force inferior to that of the defenders, could not succeed.'
US General Douglas MacArthur now turned his attention to liberate New Guinea, as an initial step towards the Allied push northwards to reclaim the Phillipines, beginning with the Battle of Buna-Gona, on New Guinea's north-east coast (16 November 1942 – 22 January 1943).
The experience of the US 32nd Infantry Division - just out of training camp and utterly unschooled in jungle warfare - was nearly disastrous however. Young officers, with no field experience, were completely out of their depths in the most challenging of conditions and circumstances.
MacArthur relieved the division commander and on 30 November instructed Lieutenant General Robert L. Eichelberger, commander of the US I Corps, to go to the front personally with the charge "to remove all officers who won't fight ... if necessary, put sergeants in charge of battalions ... I want you to take Buna, or not come back alive."
The Australian 7th Division under the command of Major General George Alan Vasey, along with the revitalised US 32nd Division, restarted the Allied offensive. Gona fell to the Australians on 9 December 1942, Buna to the US 32nd on 2 January 1943, and Sanananda, located between the two larger villages, fell to the Australians on 22 January.
New Zealand-born George Silk (1916-2004) was Australia's second official war photographer, joining photographer Damien Parer in the Middle East in May 1940.
It was, however, in the Pacific theatre that Silk made his preeminent reputation. Profound problems with Department of Information’s refusal to pass for publication photographs Silk had taken at great risk of Australians in action against Japanese troops around Buna, around New Year’s day of 1943 led the photographer to resign his position with the department, both in protest and because he was in a state of complete exhaustion. Silk then worked for the American Life magazine, for whom he photographed action in the Pacific and in Europe.
Photographer: George Silk
Following the Allied victory at Milne Bay across August and September, the Japanese advance across New Guinea had been brought to a virtual stand-still. As the historian Samuel Eliot Morison wrote a few years after the end of the war, in 1950:
'...the enemy had shot his bolt; he never showed up again in these waters. The Battle for Milne Bay was a small one as World War II engagements went, but very important. Except for the initial assault on Wake Island, this was the first time that a Japanese amphibious operation had been thrown for a loss ...
Furthermore, the Milne Bay affair demonstrated once again that an amphibious assault without air protection, and with an assault force inferior to that of the defenders, could not succeed.'
US General Douglas MacArthur now turned his attention to liberate New Guinea, as an initial step towards the Allied push northwards to reclaim the Phillipines, beginning with the Battle of Buna-Gona, on New Guinea's north-east coast (16 November 1942 – 22 January 1943).
The experience of the US 32nd Infantry Division - just out of training camp and utterly unschooled in jungle warfare - was nearly disastrous however. Young officers, with no field experience, were completely out of their depths in the most challenging of conditions and circumstances.
MacArthur relieved the division commander and on 30 November instructed Lieutenant General Robert L. Eichelberger, commander of the US I Corps, to go to the front personally with the charge "to remove all officers who won't fight ... if necessary, put sergeants in charge of battalions ... I want you to take Buna, or not come back alive."
The Australian 7th Division under the command of Major General George Alan Vasey, along with the revitalised US 32nd Division, restarted the Allied offensive. Gona fell to the Australians on 9 December 1942, Buna to the US 32nd on 2 January 1943, and Sanananda, located between the two larger villages, fell to the Australians on 22 January.
New Zealand-born George Silk (1916-2004) was Australia's second official war photographer, joining photographer Damien Parer in the Middle East in May 1940.
It was, however, in the Pacific theatre that Silk made his preeminent reputation. Profound problems with Department of Information’s refusal to pass for publication photographs Silk had taken at great risk of Australians in action against Japanese troops around Buna, around New Year’s day of 1943 led the photographer to resign his position with the department, both in protest and because he was in a state of complete exhaustion. Silk then worked for the American Life magazine, for whom he photographed action in the Pacific and in Europe.
Photographer: George Silk
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A whitewashed M10 "Wolverine" tank destroyer of 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion waits in ambush near Benonchamps, Belgium, 21st January 1945.
(773rd TDB - Motto: FIT VIA VI or "Way is Made by Force")
This particular vehicle, commanded by Sgt. Jacob Kretchik, was credited with destroying 5 German tanks during a counter attack near Oberwampach, Luxembourg during the Battle of the Bulge.
773 TDB Unit History: Activated on 15 December, 1941, from the 73d Provisional Antitank Battalion, which had been formed from Louisiana and Pennsylvania National Guard units in July. Arrived at Gourock, Scotland, on 7 February, 1944. Landed at Utah and Omaha beaches on 8 August equipped with M10's. Caught up with spearheads and saw first real action at Le Bourg St. Leonard, beginning 17 August during envelopment of Falaise Pocket. Advanced to Moselle River sector via Paris. Fought at Luneville and the Foret de Parroy. Supported capture of Metz in November. Joined operations against Siegfried Line along the Saar in December, ordered to the Ardennes on 6 January, 1945. Fought through Siegfried Line in February. Reached the Rhine at Koblenz on 16 March. Crossed the Rhine 23–24 March at Oppenheim. Helped capture Darmstadt and Frankfurt before driving across Germany to Czechoslovakia, beginning 1 April. Cleared Czechoslovak-German border area southward and ended war near Petrovice. Attached to: 6th Armored Division; 79th, 90th, 95th Infantry divisions.
Researched By Doug Banks
Colourised by Richard James Molloy
(773rd TDB - Motto: FIT VIA VI or "Way is Made by Force")
This particular vehicle, commanded by Sgt. Jacob Kretchik, was credited with destroying 5 German tanks during a counter attack near Oberwampach, Luxembourg during the Battle of the Bulge.
773 TDB Unit History: Activated on 15 December, 1941, from the 73d Provisional Antitank Battalion, which had been formed from Louisiana and Pennsylvania National Guard units in July. Arrived at Gourock, Scotland, on 7 February, 1944. Landed at Utah and Omaha beaches on 8 August equipped with M10's. Caught up with spearheads and saw first real action at Le Bourg St. Leonard, beginning 17 August during envelopment of Falaise Pocket. Advanced to Moselle River sector via Paris. Fought at Luneville and the Foret de Parroy. Supported capture of Metz in November. Joined operations against Siegfried Line along the Saar in December, ordered to the Ardennes on 6 January, 1945. Fought through Siegfried Line in February. Reached the Rhine at Koblenz on 16 March. Crossed the Rhine 23–24 March at Oppenheim. Helped capture Darmstadt and Frankfurt before driving across Germany to Czechoslovakia, beginning 1 April. Cleared Czechoslovak-German border area southward and ended war near Petrovice. Attached to: 6th Armored Division; 79th, 90th, 95th Infantry divisions.
Researched By Doug Banks
Colourised by Richard James Molloy
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The Princess Irene Brigade is established in England on January 11, 1941. Its core consists of troops who escaped to England after the May days of 1940. In 1942 and 1943 a number of soldiers followed a paratrooper training course at the Ringway airfield near Manchester. Here they study a map prior to a practice jump.
Collection: Netherlands Institute of Military History
Collection: Netherlands Institute of Military History
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The seamen from Polish Navy destroyer ORP Piorun, shortly after watch, photographed during patrol on Western Approaches. As seen, when the opportunity arises, which didn't happen too often, the seamen would assemble hammocks and try to grab a shut-eye, 1940.
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Sherman tanks of the British 8th Armoured Brigade (possibly 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards) and a Chevrolet truck leading ambulances through Amsterdamerstraße in Kevelaer, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
4 March 1945.
Local 17 year old Kevelaer eye-witness, Heinz van Lipzig,
"My father wanted to buy a caravan and horse to move away from home and the fighting, but I was able to talk him out of this idea by telling him that the end could not be far away. I did not know what was to happen a few days later. On the morning of the 3rd March 1945 I woke up to find myself surrounded by English soldiers. The war was over, at least for my family and me."
"Armed with machine guns mounted on a pram the soldiers made their way through Kevelaer – the first town they had found which was reasonably intact. Soon the people of Kevelaer put out the white flags and tried to adapt to the new situation. A camp for displaced persons, mainly Dutch, French and Italian was set up. They were housed in tents, hotels and churches and my job was to find plates and cutlery for them. I remember one morning I went into a bombed hotel which had a bowling club. Hearing shots I was curious to find out what was going on. Two English soldiers were enjoying themselves playing 'bowls' in their own way – namely firing pistols at the pins!" (read more -http://bills/-bunker.de/185101.html)
(Source - IWM B15147)
Sgt. Hutchinson No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
(Research By Doug)
(Colourised by Richard James Molloy from the UK)
4 March 1945.
Local 17 year old Kevelaer eye-witness, Heinz van Lipzig,
"My father wanted to buy a caravan and horse to move away from home and the fighting, but I was able to talk him out of this idea by telling him that the end could not be far away. I did not know what was to happen a few days later. On the morning of the 3rd March 1945 I woke up to find myself surrounded by English soldiers. The war was over, at least for my family and me."
"Armed with machine guns mounted on a pram the soldiers made their way through Kevelaer – the first town they had found which was reasonably intact. Soon the people of Kevelaer put out the white flags and tried to adapt to the new situation. A camp for displaced persons, mainly Dutch, French and Italian was set up. They were housed in tents, hotels and churches and my job was to find plates and cutlery for them. I remember one morning I went into a bombed hotel which had a bowling club. Hearing shots I was curious to find out what was going on. Two English soldiers were enjoying themselves playing 'bowls' in their own way – namely firing pistols at the pins!" (read more -http://bills/-bunker.de/185101.html)
(Source - IWM B15147)
Sgt. Hutchinson No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
(Research By Doug)
(Colourised by Richard James Molloy from the UK)
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A group of young German anti-aircraft gunners "Flakhelfer" prisoners, captured by units of the US 9th Army ( phantom division) in Germany in the spring of 1945.
Photo colourised by Johnny Sirlande
Photo colourised by Johnny Sirlande
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Battle of the Scarpe. Gunners of the Royal Horse Artillery in a German 5.9-inch howitzer emplacement on the Arras-Cambrai road, April, 1917.
'Battle of the Scarpe' (1917), refers to three battles that occurred during the Arras Offensive between 9 April and 4 May 1917 in the area of the river 'Scarpe'.
The river and its valley were important battlegrounds in WW1.
'Battle of the Scarpe' (1917), refers to three battles that occurred during the Arras Offensive between 9 April and 4 May 1917 in the area of the river 'Scarpe'.
The river and its valley were important battlegrounds in WW1.
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General der Infanterie Dietrich von Choltitz (left) surrender to Général de brigade Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque (Commander 2e Division Blindée), 25 August 1944.
On 7th August previously he was appointed as Kommandierenden General und Wehrmachtbefehlshaber von Groß-Paris (Military Governor of Paris).
At a meeting in Germany the following day, Hitler instructed him to be prepared to leave no Parisian religious building or historical monument standing. After Choltitz's arrival in Paris on 9 August, Hitler confirmed the order by cable: "The city must not fall into the enemy's hand except lying in complete rubble."
A week later Hitler, in a rage, screamed, "Brennt Paris?" (Is Paris burning?). On 15 August 1944, the Paris police went on strike, followed on 19 August by a general insurrection led by the French Communist Party.
The German garrison under Choltitz fought back but was far too small to quell the uprising.
He brokered a ceasefire with the insurgents on 20 August, but many Resistance groups did not accept it, and a series of skirmishes continued on the next day.
On 25th August, Choltitz surrendered the German garrison of 17,000 men to the Free French, leaving the city largely intact.
Because Hitler's directive was not carried out, Choltitz has been described by some as the "Saviour of Paris". General von Choltitz later claimed in his memoir of 1951 that he defied Hitler's order to destroy Paris because he loved the city and had decided that Hitler was by then insane.
It is known that the Swedish consul-general in Paris, Raoul Nordling, and the president of the municipal council, Pierre Taittinger, held several meetings with Choltitz, during which he negotiated the release of political prisoners.
The all-night confrontation between Nordling and Choltitz on the eve of the surrender, as depicted in the 1965 book and 1966 film, Is Paris Burning?, and again in the 2014 film Diplomacy — in which Nordling persuades Choltitz to spare the city in return for a pledge to protect his family — was reported as factual in some newspaper stories, but lacks a definitive historical basis
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