Photos Colour and Colourised Photos of WW2 & earlier conflicts
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RNZAF P-40 pilots from No. 14 Squadron play cards in the crew room at RNZAF Station Whenuapai. 1943
Flight Lieutenant SG Quill (second from left), possibly Flight Lieutenant HA Eaton and Pilot Officer RA Weber first on the right and second from the right respectively.
RNZAF photo
Flight Lieutenant SG Quill (second from left), possibly Flight Lieutenant HA Eaton and Pilot Officer RA Weber first on the right and second from the right respectively.
RNZAF photo
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6 February 1918
Men of the 6th Battalion, the York and Lancaster Regiment at a Lewis machine gun post, on the front line near Cambrin, Pas-de-Calais, France.
The 6th (Service) Battalion was raised at Pontefract in Yorkshire in August 1914. It arrived on the Western Front in July 1916 with 11th (Northern) Division. During the war the York and Lancaster Regiment raised 22 battalions, suffering over 48,000 casualties out of the 57,000 men who served. 8,800 of the latter were killed.
Images - IWM collection
Men of the 6th Battalion, the York and Lancaster Regiment at a Lewis machine gun post, on the front line near Cambrin, Pas-de-Calais, France.
The 6th (Service) Battalion was raised at Pontefract in Yorkshire in August 1914. It arrived on the Western Front in July 1916 with 11th (Northern) Division. During the war the York and Lancaster Regiment raised 22 battalions, suffering over 48,000 casualties out of the 57,000 men who served. 8,800 of the latter were killed.
Images - IWM collection
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5 February 1941
British Cruiser Mk IV (left) and Light Tank Mk VIB ('Athos' of 'A' Squadron) of 3rd County of London Yeomanry, 1st Armoured Division, during an exercise in Houghton in West Sussex.
The scout car in the background belongs to the 22nd Armoured Brigade Headquarters.
(Photo source - © IWM H 7028)
Puttnam, Len A. (Captain)
War Office official photographer
Colourised by Doug
British Cruiser Mk IV (left) and Light Tank Mk VIB ('Athos' of 'A' Squadron) of 3rd County of London Yeomanry, 1st Armoured Division, during an exercise in Houghton in West Sussex.
The scout car in the background belongs to the 22nd Armoured Brigade Headquarters.
(Photo source - © IWM H 7028)
Puttnam, Len A. (Captain)
War Office official photographer
Colourised by Doug
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Pilot Officer Józef Stasik of No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron playing with 'Misia', the dog-mascot of the Squadron, on the wing of his Spitfire at RAF Northolt, 10 April 1942. (KIA 31/8/44)
(Photo source - © IWM CH 5515)
Colourised by Doug
(Photo source - © IWM CH 5515)
Colourised by Doug
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Celebrating Waitangi Day 2025 by remembering the brave warriors of the 28th Maori Battalion.
The 28th Maori Battalion was a New Zealand infantry unit, composed of Maori soldiers, that fought in World War II as part of the 2nd New Zealand Division.
They gained a reputation as one of the most decorated and highly regarded New Zealand battalions due to their bravery and combat effectiveness despite suffering heavy casualties across campaigns in Greece, Crete, North Africa, and Italy.
They became renowned for their fierce bayonet charges, particularly during the Battle of Crete where they used bayonets effectively in close-quarters combat against German paratroopers, often launching surprise night attacks to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy, establishing a reputation for their aggressive and skilled use of the bayonet in hand-to-hand fighting; this is often cited as a key element of their combat legacy.
A famous photograph capturing soldiers of the Maori Battalion performing a the haka, in Egypt in 1941 for the exiled King of Greece after being evacuated from the fierce battles in Greece and Crete, showcasing their bravery and cultural pride despite heavy casualties they suffered; this image became a powerful symbol of the Battalion's fighting spirit and Maori identity on the world stage.
The motto of the 28th (Māori) Battalion was "Ake ake kia kaha" which translates to "ever and ever, be strong". The battalion's marching song was also "Ake! Ake! Kia Kaha E!" which translates to "upwards, upwards, be strong!".
The Maori Battalion suffered significant losses with 649 men killed in action or dying of wounds, alongside 1712 wounded and 237 taken prisoner, representing a casualty rate considerably higher than the average New Zealand infantry battalion; almost 3600 Maori men served in the battalion throughout the war.
Waitangi Day is Aotearoa's national day. Every year on 6 February people of all communities and backgrounds gather at Waitangi to commemorate the first signing of New Zealand's founding document: Te Tiriti o Waitangi, The Treaty of Waitangi, on 6 February 1840.
Photos taken from the Alexander Turnbull Library photo collection and the 28th Maori Battalion website and colourised by Daniel Rarity
The 28th Maori Battalion was a New Zealand infantry unit, composed of Maori soldiers, that fought in World War II as part of the 2nd New Zealand Division.
They gained a reputation as one of the most decorated and highly regarded New Zealand battalions due to their bravery and combat effectiveness despite suffering heavy casualties across campaigns in Greece, Crete, North Africa, and Italy.
They became renowned for their fierce bayonet charges, particularly during the Battle of Crete where they used bayonets effectively in close-quarters combat against German paratroopers, often launching surprise night attacks to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy, establishing a reputation for their aggressive and skilled use of the bayonet in hand-to-hand fighting; this is often cited as a key element of their combat legacy.
A famous photograph capturing soldiers of the Maori Battalion performing a the haka, in Egypt in 1941 for the exiled King of Greece after being evacuated from the fierce battles in Greece and Crete, showcasing their bravery and cultural pride despite heavy casualties they suffered; this image became a powerful symbol of the Battalion's fighting spirit and Maori identity on the world stage.
The motto of the 28th (Māori) Battalion was "Ake ake kia kaha" which translates to "ever and ever, be strong". The battalion's marching song was also "Ake! Ake! Kia Kaha E!" which translates to "upwards, upwards, be strong!".
The Maori Battalion suffered significant losses with 649 men killed in action or dying of wounds, alongside 1712 wounded and 237 taken prisoner, representing a casualty rate considerably higher than the average New Zealand infantry battalion; almost 3600 Maori men served in the battalion throughout the war.
Waitangi Day is Aotearoa's national day. Every year on 6 February people of all communities and backgrounds gather at Waitangi to commemorate the first signing of New Zealand's founding document: Te Tiriti o Waitangi, The Treaty of Waitangi, on 6 February 1840.
Photos taken from the Alexander Turnbull Library photo collection and the 28th Maori Battalion website and colourised by Daniel Rarity
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A sniper from the Scottish 5th Battalion (Black Watch) has found a suitable location in the damaged attic of a house in Gennep, Limburg Province, The Netherlands.
A little less than a week earlier, on 8 February, Operation Veritable had started with the aim of conquering the area between the Maas and the Rhine rivers. The Scottish 51st (Highland) Division advanced from Groesbeek via Gennep in the direction of the German town of Goch.
The advance was difficult. Only after fierce house-to-house fighting could Gennep be liberated on 12 February. However, the bridge over the Niers river had been blown up earlier by the Germans. Construction of a Bailey bridge was therefore started immediately. However, German counterattacks were still to be expected.
Two days later, the Scots had finally liberated the entire area. Goch was eventually reached via the town of Heijen. The first bloody phase of the operation was thus completed for the 51st (Highland) Division.
A little less than a week earlier, on 8 February, Operation Veritable had started with the aim of conquering the area between the Maas and the Rhine rivers. The Scottish 51st (Highland) Division advanced from Groesbeek via Gennep in the direction of the German town of Goch.
The advance was difficult. Only after fierce house-to-house fighting could Gennep be liberated on 12 February. However, the bridge over the Niers river had been blown up earlier by the Germans. Construction of a Bailey bridge was therefore started immediately. However, German counterattacks were still to be expected.
Two days later, the Scots had finally liberated the entire area. Goch was eventually reached via the town of Heijen. The first bloody phase of the operation was thus completed for the 51st (Highland) Division.
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Dunsfold Airport, Surrey, circa 1944. June (from left to right) some of the crew, Gunner: Gilles Almekinders, Telegraphers: Johannes Fransen, Koenraad Vos and Observer: Joannes de Groot - are waiting for the exit signal for a New mission while pampering 'Ski', the squad's pet dog. The aircraft is a B-25 Mitchell, the unit is 320 Squadron of the RAF, which was formed with Netherlands aircrew, hence the small orange triangle on the nose, which was an insignia of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
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A motorcycle despatch rider, Signalman J. Melia of St Helens, Lancs, checks his route with a Canadian military policeman, L/Cpl. J. Albert of Montreal, Canada, on route between Lanciano and Villa Grande, Chieti, Italy. 30 January-3 February 1944.
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Flying Officer Albert E. Manning and his crew gather by their aircraft, Avro Lancaster B Mark I, W4964 'WS-J', of No. 9 Squadron RAF, shortly after their return to Bardney, Lincolnshire, in the early hours of 6 January 1944, after raiding Stettin, Germany (currently Szczecin, Poland).
© IWM CH 11972
© IWM CH 11972
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An unfinished Type XXI U-boat on the runway at Blohm & Voss in May 1945. The opening at the rear of the conning tower, intended to house twin 20 mm Flak guns, is still empty, highlighting the unfinished construction of the ship as World War II drew to a close.
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WW1, battery of three French 320mm ALVF gun.
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Two Kiwis vs Ten Zeros
RNZAF fighter pilots Flight Sergeant John Miller (left) and Flying Officer Mortimer Vanderpump (right), pose for a photo in front of a line up of P-40 Warhawks after being awarded the American Distinguished Flying Cross for protecting an American Bomber from 10 Zeros.
Espiritu Santo, 17 September 1943.
On the 3rd of September, 8 RNZAF P-40s from No 16 Squadron were acting as bottom cover for a formation of USAAF B-24 bombers as they bombed the Kahili Japanese airbase on the island of Bougainville.
After the raid, one bomber was damaged and was lagging behind the formation with engine problems.
Vanderpump and Miller dropped back to help the crippled B-24 when it radioed for help after coming under attack from about 10 A6M Zeros.
The two Kiwis managed to drive off the attacking Japanese fighters and escorted the American bomber safely back to its base.
For this, Vanderpump and Miller received a 'Spot' (Immediate) DFC which was presented to them 14 days later by Brigadier-General Ray L. Owens the Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Thirteenth Air Force.
They were the first New Zealanders to receive this award.
Both men survived the war.
Flight Sergeant John Miller passed away on 8 May 2009 at the age of 94.
Squadron Leader Mortimer Vanderpump was killed in a topdressing accident while flying a Cessna 180 in 1955 at the age of 34.
RNZAF photo
Info source - Air-to-Air by Chris Rudge
Colourised by Dan
RNZAF fighter pilots Flight Sergeant John Miller (left) and Flying Officer Mortimer Vanderpump (right), pose for a photo in front of a line up of P-40 Warhawks after being awarded the American Distinguished Flying Cross for protecting an American Bomber from 10 Zeros.
Espiritu Santo, 17 September 1943.
On the 3rd of September, 8 RNZAF P-40s from No 16 Squadron were acting as bottom cover for a formation of USAAF B-24 bombers as they bombed the Kahili Japanese airbase on the island of Bougainville.
After the raid, one bomber was damaged and was lagging behind the formation with engine problems.
Vanderpump and Miller dropped back to help the crippled B-24 when it radioed for help after coming under attack from about 10 A6M Zeros.
The two Kiwis managed to drive off the attacking Japanese fighters and escorted the American bomber safely back to its base.
For this, Vanderpump and Miller received a 'Spot' (Immediate) DFC which was presented to them 14 days later by Brigadier-General Ray L. Owens the Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Thirteenth Air Force.
They were the first New Zealanders to receive this award.
Both men survived the war.
Flight Sergeant John Miller passed away on 8 May 2009 at the age of 94.
Squadron Leader Mortimer Vanderpump was killed in a topdressing accident while flying a Cessna 180 in 1955 at the age of 34.
RNZAF photo
Info source - Air-to-Air by Chris Rudge
Colourised by Dan
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Here you can see what is probably the last photo of the battleship "Bismarck" taken from land.
The ship is about to leave the Norwegian fjord on May 21, 1941 to sail towards the Denmark Strait in the "Rheinübung" operation. For the majority of the crew members, this Norwegian fjord landscape will be the last piece of land they should see in their lives.
The ship is about to leave the Norwegian fjord on May 21, 1941 to sail towards the Denmark Strait in the "Rheinübung" operation. For the majority of the crew members, this Norwegian fjord landscape will be the last piece of land they should see in their lives.
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