Vintage Photos

10 Vintage Photos Of Places Before And After WWII

Published June 30, 2025•Updated July 16, 2025

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Split image comparison: on the left, a green, well-kept urban park with people walking; on the right, the same area in ruins with destroyed buildings and debris, showing devastation.

In this collection of 10 vintage photos, we take a look at familiar places as they were before the war, and what they became after. Some transformations are heartbreaking, and others are hopeful. Together, they remind us how deeply history lives in the places we stand today. Here are 10 vintage photos of places before and after WWII.

1. London before and after the London Blitz

A split image: left side shows a busy, vibrant city street with cars, shops, and people; right side shows the same area in ruins, with destroyed buildings and debris after bombing.
userdeleted/zadraaa/via reddit.com

2. Intramuros, Philippines, in the 1930s vs in 1945

Split aerial view of a city: the left side shows organized buildings with green spaces, while the right side shows densely packed informal structures and narrow streets, highlighting drastic urban change or contrast.
kronospear/via reddit.com

3. The main station in Warsaw, 1941 vs 1945

Two black-and-white photos: the top shows a busy city street with a modern building, tram, and pedestrians; the bottom shows the same location in ruins after heavy destruction, with collapsed buildings and debris.
donpecz/via reddit.com

4. An aerial view of Hiroshima before and after the atomic bomb

A side-by-side comparison of aerial photos shows a city with concentric circles overlaid. The left image displays dense buildings; the right shows widespread destruction with few structures remaining. A river runs through both images.
supersonicgreninja/via reddit.com

5. Lenin Square before and during WW2

Split image: left side shows a lively city park with pathways, trees, and people walking; right side shows a war-torn landscape with ruined buildings and people walking among the debris.
ultiatelazer/past-two342/via reddit.com

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6. Hamburg in the 1930s vs Hamburg in 1944

Split image showing the same city before and after WWII: left side depicts intact city buildings and a tall church spire, right side shows widespread destruction and ruins among the same city blocks.
father_of/Gulliveig/via reddit.com

7. Nagasaki before and after the dropping of the atomic bomb

Aerial photos of a city: The top image shows a dense urban area with roads, buildings, and a river. The bottom image depicts the same area devastated, with most structures destroyed and only outlines and rubble visible.
zadraaa/via reddit.com

8. The Warsaw Royal Castle before and after German occupation

A split image: the top shows a historic city square with a statue, clock tower, and intact buildings; the bottom shows the same area devastated and in ruins after destruction.
zadraaa/via reddit.com

9. Lidice, Czechoslovakia, 1930s vs 1942

A side-by-side comparison: the left shows a town with buildings, trees, and a church; the right shows the same area barren and rocky, with no buildings or vegetation, highlighting dramatic destruction.
fayanng/via reddit.com

10. Rotterdam before and after German Bombardment

Aerial photos comparing a city in 1940 and 1941. The 1940 side shows many buildings and bridges, while the 1941 side shows extensive destruction with fewer buildings and more open, damaged land.
elderron_spice/via reddit.com

Want to see more military content?

Check out 25 Vintage Photos From The First World War, or take a look at 35 Vintage Photos From World War 2. Finally, if you want to see military photos from Vietnam, check out The War Years Reimagined: Colorized Photos From the Vietnam War.

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Meet the Writer


Patrick Nichols

Patrick is a writer based in upstate New York, where he grew up and still calls home. Over the past year, he’s been diving deep into storytelling, especially tales rooted in history, the Wild West, lost treasures, and ancient artifacts. He’s also drawn to unsolved mysteries and whatever the internet can’t stop talking about.

Whether it’s a centuries-old legend or a bizarre internet rabbit hole, Patrick is always chasing the threads of a compelling story. When he’s not chasing stories, Pat’s probably hiking mountain trails with his dog, exploring new corners of the U.S., or doom-scrolling between hangouts with friends and family. He finds inspiration in nature, forgotten places, and random conversations—anything that sparks curiosity. Whether it’s city streets or backcountry paths, Patrick’s always on the lookout for the next great story.



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