A 'spotter' at a 3.7-inch anti-aircraft gun site, in December 1942. Scroll through to see more images from the Imperial War Museums' collection of color World War II photographs, which are in their original condition, and are neither retouched nor colorized.
A 'spotter' at a 3.7-inch anti-aircraft gun site, in December 1942. Scroll through to see more images from the Imperial War Museums' collection of color World War II photographs, which are in their original condition, and are neither retouched nor colorized.
© IWM
The image shows Private Alfred Campin of the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during battle training in Britain, March 1944.<br />"This is one of my favorite shots," said Ian Carter, author of an Imperial War Museums book in which they were published. You can see the tan in the man's face and you can see he's a veteran of the desert. This was part of a whole sequence taken in black and white, with just a few color shots. This soldier was killed in Normandy, but he's immortalized by this picture."<br />
The image shows Private Alfred Campin of the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during battle training in Britain, March 1944.
"This is one of my favorite shots," said Ian Carter, author of an Imperial War Museums book in which they were published. You can see the tan in the man's face and you can see he's a veteran of the desert. This was part of a whole sequence taken in black and white, with just a few color shots. This soldier was killed in Normandy, but he's immortalized by this picture."
© IWM
Dutch civilians dance in the streets after the liberation of Eindhoven by Allied forces, September 1944.<br />"The great thing about this particular scene is the orange: when the Dutch were liberated they hung out flags and sheets, everything was orange and that would be lost in a black and white photograph," said Carter.
Dutch civilians dance in the streets after the liberation of Eindhoven by Allied forces, September 1944.
"The great thing about this particular scene is the orange: when the Dutch were liberated they hung out flags and sheets, everything was orange and that would be lost in a black and white photograph," said Carter.
© IWM
Lieutenant Vernon R. Richards of the 361st Fighter Group flying his P-51D Mustang, nicknamed "Tika IV'" during a bomber escort mission in 1944.
Lieutenant Vernon R. Richards of the 361st Fighter Group flying his P-51D Mustang, nicknamed "Tika IV'" during a bomber escort mission in 1944.
© IWM
The man in charge of D-Day, General Dwight D Eisenhower and his senior commanders at Supreme Allied Headquarters in London, February 1944.
The man in charge of D-Day, General Dwight D Eisenhower and his senior commanders at Supreme Allied Headquarters in London, February 1944.
© IWM
Nurses and convalescent aircrew at Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Hospital at Halton in Buckinghamshire, August 1943. The hospital was opened in 1927, and treated some 20,000 RAF casualties during the War.
Nurses and convalescent aircrew at Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Hospital at Halton in Buckinghamshire, August 1943. The hospital was opened in 1927, and treated some 20,000 RAF casualties during the War.
© IWM
A crew from the 16th/5th Lancers, 6th Armored Division, clean the gun barrel of their Crusader tank at El Aroussa in Tunisia, May 1943.
A crew from the 16th/5th Lancers, 6th Armored Division, clean the gun barrel of their Crusader tank at El Aroussa in Tunisia, May 1943.
© IWM
Lancaster bombers nearing completion in Avro's assembly plant at Woodford near Manchester, 1943. Some 125,000 British aircraft were built during the Second World War, and over half of the workforce were women.
Lancaster bombers nearing completion in Avro's assembly plant at Woodford near Manchester, 1943. Some 125,000 British aircraft were built during the Second World War, and over half of the workforce were women.
© IWM
5.5-inch gun crew from 75th (Shropshire Yeomanry) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery, in action in Italy, September 1943.
5.5-inch gun crew from 75th (Shropshire Yeomanry) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery, in action in Italy, September 1943.
© IWM
British paratroopers prepare for a practice jump from an RAF Dakota based at Down Ampney in Wiltshire, April 1944.
British paratroopers prepare for a practice jump from an RAF Dakota based at Down Ampney in Wiltshire, April 1944.
© IWM
An Air Raid Precautions (ARP, later renamed the Civil Defence Service) warden inspects damaged buildings in Holborn, London. Most wardens were volunteers, with regular daytime jobs. One in six were women.
An Air Raid Precautions (ARP, later renamed the Civil Defence Service) warden inspects damaged buildings in Holborn, London. Most wardens were volunteers, with regular daytime jobs. One in six were women.
© IWM
The RAF's top-scoring fighter pilot, with 31 confirmed kills at this date, Wing Commander James "Johnnie" Johnson, with his Spitfire and pet Labrador 'Sally' in Normandy, July 1944.
The RAF's top-scoring fighter pilot, with 31 confirmed kills at this date, Wing Commander James "Johnnie" Johnson, with his Spitfire and pet Labrador 'Sally' in Normandy, July 1944.
© IWM
Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery explains Allied strategy to King George VI in his command caravan in Holland, October 1944.
Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery explains Allied strategy to King George VI in his command caravan in Holland, October 1944.
© IWM
British soldiers admire the Caryatids on the Acropolis while sight-seeing in Athens, October 1944.
British soldiers admire the Caryatids on the Acropolis while sight-seeing in Athens, October 1944.
© IWM