The 1940s were a decade marked by war, an overriding resilience, and numerous moments of profound change, due to the events of World War II. Even though many of the images from this time in history solely exist in black and white, colorization can instill an unprecedented level of depth into capturing the period. We’ll look at some of the most notable, rare colorized military images from the period in history.
1.”The eyes of the world are upon you.” June 5th, 1944
That had to have been one unforgettable speech.
2. Soldiers of the 42nd Division. Dossenheim, France in 1944
A solid and sharp-looking bunch.
3. A Dutch child with an American soldier in Venlo, March, 1945
That kid looks like they’re having a great time.
4. Soldiers of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force on a break from combat.
Music really must’ve helped carry some of those exhausted troops through the ups and downs of wartime.
5. American troops approaching Omaha Beach during the Invasion of Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1944
These guys look ready to roll.
6. U.S. soldiers prepare to land on Normandy Beach (June 6th, 1944)
Those grim moments leading up to landing on Normandy Beach must’ve been just a tad bit panic-inducing.
7. American Soldier During the Battle of the Bulge, 1944
What a stud.
8. U.S. paratroopers (front row) of ‘Easy Company’ 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division
Talk about a sharp-looking crew.
9. Exhausted by days of battle, a Finnish soldier sleeps in a sandy foxhole in the Summa sector 1944
The exhaustion that had to have set in must’ve been next-level.
10. Finnish soldier from Infantry Regiment 12
That looks like a heavy load to bear, indeed.
11. An American soldier walks through the forest after falling back from the front lines. Near Bastogne, Belgium, 1944
The sun shining through those trees takes this picture to the next level.
12. U.S soldier on watch during the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944
That looks like a truly cold spot to post up.
13. Walter “Walt” E. Hughes, an infantryman of the 82nd Airborne Division ventures cautiously across exposed land at the Allied front lines
That must’ve been one unforgettable adrenaline-charged moment to endure.
14. Finnish soldiers passing a knocked-out T-70 light tank, in 1944
Abandoned tanks that were splayed across the battlefield must’ve been a morbid sight to behold.
15. A tender moment between soldiers and their partners before heading off for the war
Those guys were truly fitted.
16. A Moroccan soldier waits in cover for an expected enemy counterattack, Mulhouse area, France, 22 November, 1944
He looks like he’s fully locked in.
17. A soldier hugs his wife goodbye at Penn Station before he leaves for war, 1944
What a beautiful, romantic moment indeed.
18. An LCA just launched off HMCS Prince Henry carrying Canadian troops towards the Normandy beaches
Those boats must’ve been just a bit anxiety-inducing.
19. Greek and British soldiers during the second phase of the Greek civil war, Athens, December 1944
Talk about a high-stakes moment.
20. Mrs M. Hale, whose husband is fighting in France, spends the day giving US soldiers tea and other refreshments in the road outside her house.
That must’ve been one special song, indeed.
