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... and, of course, the bomb is held by the smallest of them ...Soviet and American airmen pose with the bombs on which they had written messages for the Nazis at a Russian airbase on June 2, 1944.
Photos Colour and Colourised Photos of WW2 & earlier conflicts
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Famous Picture!!!
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A group of Australian and New Zealand personnel examine a CAC Boomerang from 5 (Tactical Reconnaissance) Squadron RAAF, based at Piva Airfield at Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, probably in January 1945.
Barely two months after Pearl Harbour, Japanese bombers attacked Darwin, Australia’s Northern Territory capital, in the first of 97 raids.
Australia had never before produced a frontline combat aircraft. The new plane had to use whatever components were already on hand: engines from a torpedo bomber, structural elements from a trainer. It was designed by Friedrich David, who was officially an enemy alien. Born with few advantages but succeeding through dogged persistence, the Commonwealth Aircraft Company CA-12 through CA-19 Boomerangs were true “Aussie battlers.”
An Austrian Jew, Fred David had been sent to Japan by Ernst Heinkel to save him from Nazi persecution. There he helped develop the Mitsubishi A5M “Claude” fighter and Aichi D3A “Val” dive bomber before the Kempeitai secret police began to show an unwelcome interest in him. Fleeing to Australia just as war broke out, David was interned as an enemy alien until CAC’s general manager, Wing Commodore Lawrence Wackett, arranged for his release and appointed him chief engineer. Even so, David had to report to the police every two weeks.
Australia was producing two military aircraft at the time: the obsolescent Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber and the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) Wirraway (Aboriginal for “challenge”), a trainer and general-purpose aircraft developed from the North American NA-16 - known as the Harvard I to Commonwealth forces. David designed the Boomerang around the Beaufort’s 1,200-hp Twin Wasp engine, reusing the jigs used to build the Wirraway’s wing, centre section, landing gear and tail assembly.
Initial tests brought good news and bad. The Boomerang’s agility and high rate of climb meant it could hold its own in mock dogfights against a Bell P-39 Airacobra and a Curtiss Kittyhawk (the RAF name for the P-40D and later variants), but its comparatively underpowered engine was a concern, especially above 15,000 feet.
The RAAF ordered 105 CA-12 Boomerangs in February 1942, the same month as the initial raid on Darwin, receiving the first aircraft just five months later. An order for 145 more led to the CA-13, CA-14 and CA-19 versions, each with minor improvements. A single CA-14 was fitted with a General Electric supercharger to improve high-altitude performance, but it barely fit into the compact fuselage and its large intake resulted in buffeting problems. By this time, though, the Boomerang was being replaced by faster Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vcs (the first 70 of which reached Australia in January 1943) and P-40D Kittyhawks from Britain and the US.
After RAAF fighter squadrons reequipped with Spitfires and Kittyhawks, the Boomerang found its true calling as a close support and tactical reconnaissance aircraft with Nos. 4 and 5 squadrons in New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Borneo. The fighter’s armament, ruggedness and agility suited it for this new role. Operating in pairs, one at treetop height and one flying top cover, Boomerangs dealt with enemy positions ahead of advancing Allied forces. In addition to employing their guns, they could carry bombs weighing up to 500 pounds on a central hardpoint, as well as 20-pound smoke bombs to mark targets.
No. 5 Squadron also received Boomerangs in 1943, and was sent to Bougainville as part of No. 84 (Army Co-operation) Wing. On April 16, 1945, when two Australian brigades were held up by a Japanese force blocking a vital road, No. 5’s Boomerangs placed smoke bombs just 25 yards apart and 300 yards from the Australian front line, enabling Royal New Zealand Air Force F4U Corsairs to clear the way, with no Australian casualties.
Group Captain G.N. Roberts, who commanded the New Zealand Air Task Force, said, “The excellent pinpointing by the Boomerangs has made the job a great deal easier and much more effective.”
Colour: Benjamin Thomas - Colours of Yesterday
Barely two months after Pearl Harbour, Japanese bombers attacked Darwin, Australia’s Northern Territory capital, in the first of 97 raids.
Australia had never before produced a frontline combat aircraft. The new plane had to use whatever components were already on hand: engines from a torpedo bomber, structural elements from a trainer. It was designed by Friedrich David, who was officially an enemy alien. Born with few advantages but succeeding through dogged persistence, the Commonwealth Aircraft Company CA-12 through CA-19 Boomerangs were true “Aussie battlers.”
An Austrian Jew, Fred David had been sent to Japan by Ernst Heinkel to save him from Nazi persecution. There he helped develop the Mitsubishi A5M “Claude” fighter and Aichi D3A “Val” dive bomber before the Kempeitai secret police began to show an unwelcome interest in him. Fleeing to Australia just as war broke out, David was interned as an enemy alien until CAC’s general manager, Wing Commodore Lawrence Wackett, arranged for his release and appointed him chief engineer. Even so, David had to report to the police every two weeks.
Australia was producing two military aircraft at the time: the obsolescent Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber and the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) Wirraway (Aboriginal for “challenge”), a trainer and general-purpose aircraft developed from the North American NA-16 - known as the Harvard I to Commonwealth forces. David designed the Boomerang around the Beaufort’s 1,200-hp Twin Wasp engine, reusing the jigs used to build the Wirraway’s wing, centre section, landing gear and tail assembly.
Initial tests brought good news and bad. The Boomerang’s agility and high rate of climb meant it could hold its own in mock dogfights against a Bell P-39 Airacobra and a Curtiss Kittyhawk (the RAF name for the P-40D and later variants), but its comparatively underpowered engine was a concern, especially above 15,000 feet.
The RAAF ordered 105 CA-12 Boomerangs in February 1942, the same month as the initial raid on Darwin, receiving the first aircraft just five months later. An order for 145 more led to the CA-13, CA-14 and CA-19 versions, each with minor improvements. A single CA-14 was fitted with a General Electric supercharger to improve high-altitude performance, but it barely fit into the compact fuselage and its large intake resulted in buffeting problems. By this time, though, the Boomerang was being replaced by faster Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vcs (the first 70 of which reached Australia in January 1943) and P-40D Kittyhawks from Britain and the US.
After RAAF fighter squadrons reequipped with Spitfires and Kittyhawks, the Boomerang found its true calling as a close support and tactical reconnaissance aircraft with Nos. 4 and 5 squadrons in New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Borneo. The fighter’s armament, ruggedness and agility suited it for this new role. Operating in pairs, one at treetop height and one flying top cover, Boomerangs dealt with enemy positions ahead of advancing Allied forces. In addition to employing their guns, they could carry bombs weighing up to 500 pounds on a central hardpoint, as well as 20-pound smoke bombs to mark targets.
No. 5 Squadron also received Boomerangs in 1943, and was sent to Bougainville as part of No. 84 (Army Co-operation) Wing. On April 16, 1945, when two Australian brigades were held up by a Japanese force blocking a vital road, No. 5’s Boomerangs placed smoke bombs just 25 yards apart and 300 yards from the Australian front line, enabling Royal New Zealand Air Force F4U Corsairs to clear the way, with no Australian casualties.
Group Captain G.N. Roberts, who commanded the New Zealand Air Task Force, said, “The excellent pinpointing by the Boomerangs has made the job a great deal easier and much more effective.”
Colour: Benjamin Thomas - Colours of Yesterday
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Paratroopers inside the fuselage of an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley aircraft during training at RAF Ringway, Manchester, August 1942.
The Whitley was the RAF's largest bomber at the outbreak of war. In 1939 it soon became obsolete due to its slowness and vulnerability.
It was then handed over to Airborne Forces, being used for parachute training until superseded by the Albemarle and C-47. It carried the parachute assault parties for the raid on the Tragino Aqueduct in Italy in 1941 and the Bruneval Raid in February 1942.
For parachuting, the rear turret was removed and a circular aperture fitted with hinged doors was cut in the floor. Sitting with their feet in the hole, parachutists would launch themselves through the exit on the Parachute Jump Instructor's command.
As the hole was nearly three feet deep inexperienced parachutists were liable to smash their face on the opposite face of the floor opening, an event known as "ringing the bell". The effect of ringing the bell was dependant on the strength of the head strike but included bruising, broken noses, black eyes, and concussion as many Ringway students will testify!
The Whitley could carry 10 parachute soldiers with a radius of action of at least 500 miles. However its suitability for parachuting was regularly questioned and the eventual availability of more suitable transport aircraft later in the war led to it being phased out.
On the night of 29/30 April 1942 No. 58 Squadron flying Whitleys bombed the Port of Ostend in Belgium. This was the last operational mission by a Whitley equipped bomber squadron.
Colour: Colourised PIECE of JAKE
The Whitley was the RAF's largest bomber at the outbreak of war. In 1939 it soon became obsolete due to its slowness and vulnerability.
It was then handed over to Airborne Forces, being used for parachute training until superseded by the Albemarle and C-47. It carried the parachute assault parties for the raid on the Tragino Aqueduct in Italy in 1941 and the Bruneval Raid in February 1942.
For parachuting, the rear turret was removed and a circular aperture fitted with hinged doors was cut in the floor. Sitting with their feet in the hole, parachutists would launch themselves through the exit on the Parachute Jump Instructor's command.
As the hole was nearly three feet deep inexperienced parachutists were liable to smash their face on the opposite face of the floor opening, an event known as "ringing the bell". The effect of ringing the bell was dependant on the strength of the head strike but included bruising, broken noses, black eyes, and concussion as many Ringway students will testify!
The Whitley could carry 10 parachute soldiers with a radius of action of at least 500 miles. However its suitability for parachuting was regularly questioned and the eventual availability of more suitable transport aircraft later in the war led to it being phased out.
On the night of 29/30 April 1942 No. 58 Squadron flying Whitleys bombed the Port of Ostend in Belgium. This was the last operational mission by a Whitley equipped bomber squadron.
Colour: Colourised PIECE of JAKE
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Flight Sergeant James Joseph Hyde, a fighter pilot serving with No 132 Squadron, Royal Air Force, pictured by a Supermarine Spitfire with 'Dingo', the squadron commander's pet dog, at Detling, Kent, England. James Hyde was from San Juan, Trinidad and arrived in Britain more than two years previously to commence his training. (March/April 1944)
(He was killed in action - 25 September 1944)
On 25 September 1944, Warrant Officer Hyde was tasked with providing aerial cover during the battle of Arnhem and was killed when his Spitfire IX (Serial No: PL316 Coded: FF-S) was shot down in combat by a Messerschmitt Bf 109 and crashed in Elst down, near Nijmegen, Holland. His remains were interred in the Jonkerbos military cemetery, he was 27.
(Photo source - © IWM CH 11978)
Royal Air Force official photographer
Cpl. Laidlaw - HQ Fighter Command
(Colourised by Simon Fletcher from the UK)
(He was killed in action - 25 September 1944)
On 25 September 1944, Warrant Officer Hyde was tasked with providing aerial cover during the battle of Arnhem and was killed when his Spitfire IX (Serial No: PL316 Coded: FF-S) was shot down in combat by a Messerschmitt Bf 109 and crashed in Elst down, near Nijmegen, Holland. His remains were interred in the Jonkerbos military cemetery, he was 27.
(Photo source - © IWM CH 11978)
Royal Air Force official photographer
Cpl. Laidlaw - HQ Fighter Command
(Colourised by Simon Fletcher from the UK)
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Fl.Lt. Dudley S.G. Honor, Nº 274 Squadron RAF poses by a Hawker Hurricane of the squadron at Gerawala, Egypt, on rejoining his unit following his rescue.
On the afternoon of 25th May 1941, his Mk.I Hurricane (W9266) and that of Fl.Lt Hugh Down were attacking the aerodrome at Maleme, Crete. Down's plane was hit but Honor shot down an Italian SM79 and a German JU52 before being attacked by a Bf 110 and then a Bf 109. His plane crashed into the sea, sinking some forty feet, but because he was wearing a German self inflatable life jacket, he was able to reach the surface. After a four hour swim he managed to drag himself onto the rocks. He was found by Cretan peasants and a party of Greek soldiers and after six days in hiding was rescued by a passing RAF Sunderland that saw him signalling from his pocket torch. The Sunderland pilot said it was a million to one chance that he was spotted, they were looking for Major General Weston and his staff, with Honor giving directions down the coast, they located the General at Sfakia on about the 31st May.
Dudley Sandry Garton Honor was born, to British parents, on September 5th 1913 at Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he was educated.
He was one of 600 volunteers from Argentina who came to fight with the RAF and RCAF.
Awards: DSO, DFC & Bar
He died on the 26th December 2007 aged 94
(Photo source - © IWM CM 941)
(The Hurricane is showing a Yellow lightning flash of the 247 Squadron and the front underside of the nose and leading edges sport an Italian camouflage, supposed to confuse Italian ground AA gun crews in North Africa.)
On the afternoon of 25th May 1941, his Mk.I Hurricane (W9266) and that of Fl.Lt Hugh Down were attacking the aerodrome at Maleme, Crete. Down's plane was hit but Honor shot down an Italian SM79 and a German JU52 before being attacked by a Bf 110 and then a Bf 109. His plane crashed into the sea, sinking some forty feet, but because he was wearing a German self inflatable life jacket, he was able to reach the surface. After a four hour swim he managed to drag himself onto the rocks. He was found by Cretan peasants and a party of Greek soldiers and after six days in hiding was rescued by a passing RAF Sunderland that saw him signalling from his pocket torch. The Sunderland pilot said it was a million to one chance that he was spotted, they were looking for Major General Weston and his staff, with Honor giving directions down the coast, they located the General at Sfakia on about the 31st May.
Dudley Sandry Garton Honor was born, to British parents, on September 5th 1913 at Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he was educated.
He was one of 600 volunteers from Argentina who came to fight with the RAF and RCAF.
Awards: DSO, DFC & Bar
He died on the 26th December 2007 aged 94
(Photo source - © IWM CM 941)
(The Hurricane is showing a Yellow lightning flash of the 247 Squadron and the front underside of the nose and leading edges sport an Italian camouflage, supposed to confuse Italian ground AA gun crews in North Africa.)
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A Cromwell tank leading a British Army column from the 4th County of London Yeomanry, 7th Armoured Division, after landing on Gold Beach on D-Day in Ver-sur-Mer-6 J
An American soldier with a flamethrower against a Japanese position in Bouganville
British soldiers go into action, but the man in the foreground has fallen before even leaving the trench. Note the reinforced concrete bunkers in the background which have already suffered heavy artillery pounding
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An M4A3 76w HVSS tank climbing up a muddy road. Note the commander has a 1919 mounted in front of him. The caption says 11th US Armored Division Einheiten Der Germany 1945.
Fighting in the burning town of Poventsa 2.7.1942. Photo by SA-kuva
A Marine observes the explosions as shells pound a Japanese position on the island of Iwo Jima in Feb-Mar 1945
Soldiers of the British 8th Army in Tunisia fire a 4.5-inch gun four miles from the enemy lines, 1943
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A German soldier from Landsturm-Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon Wetzlar (XVIII.28). WWI period
The Landsturm (Home guard militia) was initially created as an additional source of manpower during periods of war by a decree of the King of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm III on April 21, 1813. It was formed from all men (initially aged 15 to 60) liable for military service who were not already serving in either the standing Army or the Landwehr.
The Landsturm was only called during times of war and thus its members were equipped with whatever was left in the Army’s stores, often war material older than the soldiers themselves. The middle-age man in this photo was clearly not an exception and he displays a very interesting, and international, mix of old and new gear:
Where captured equipment is concerned, we have two items, first a French ammo pouch of the model issued with the Lebel rifle, and second an Italian bayonet which, although only partially visible, has been identified as an M1870 issued for the Vetterli M1870 rifle.
In his right hand he holds an example of the venerable Mauser Model 1871 rifle, better known as a Gew71 for shorts.
On his head, the typical Landsturm/Landwehr headgear: a black oilcloth cap Model 1913 (Wachstuchmütze) adorned with a Landwehr cross. Somewhat rare is the presence of a second ‘kokarde’ above the cross.
Unused postcard made by Heinrich Uhl from Nidda.
Original property of S. Wouters Collection.
Colour and text by Rui
The Landsturm (Home guard militia) was initially created as an additional source of manpower during periods of war by a decree of the King of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm III on April 21, 1813. It was formed from all men (initially aged 15 to 60) liable for military service who were not already serving in either the standing Army or the Landwehr.
The Landsturm was only called during times of war and thus its members were equipped with whatever was left in the Army’s stores, often war material older than the soldiers themselves. The middle-age man in this photo was clearly not an exception and he displays a very interesting, and international, mix of old and new gear:
Where captured equipment is concerned, we have two items, first a French ammo pouch of the model issued with the Lebel rifle, and second an Italian bayonet which, although only partially visible, has been identified as an M1870 issued for the Vetterli M1870 rifle.
In his right hand he holds an example of the venerable Mauser Model 1871 rifle, better known as a Gew71 for shorts.
On his head, the typical Landsturm/Landwehr headgear: a black oilcloth cap Model 1913 (Wachstuchmütze) adorned with a Landwehr cross. Somewhat rare is the presence of a second ‘kokarde’ above the cross.
Unused postcard made by Heinrich Uhl from Nidda.
Original property of S. Wouters Collection.
Colour and text by Rui
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Colour Sergeant William McGregor (Regimental Nº 2404), 1st Battalion Scots Fusilier Guards, July 1856. He was wounded during the Battle at the River Alma on 20th September 1854 and wears both the British Crimea and the Order of the Medjidie Turkish medals.
At the Crimean War's end, troops gathered in Aldershot for a London victory parade. McGregor was among the soldiers photographed in Aldershot by Robert Howlett and Joseph Cundall for their series of portraits entitled 'Crimean Heroes 1856'.
At the Crimean War's end, troops gathered in Aldershot for a London victory parade. McGregor was among the soldiers photographed in Aldershot by Robert Howlett and Joseph Cundall for their series of portraits entitled 'Crimean Heroes 1856'.
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USS Indiana bombarding Kamaishi, Japan, 14 July 1945, The superstructure of USS Massachusetts (BB-59) is visible directly behind Indiana, The heavy cruiser in the left center distance is either USS Quincy (CA-71) or USS Chicago (CA-136)
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4th April, 1945 in the town of Oberdorla, South of Mühlhausen/Thüringen, Germany
Pfc Robert V. Wynne joined the Army Reserve in San Antonio, Texas on 3 August 1943. He attended University of Texas at Austin, class of 1943.
The pictures show Pfc Robert Wynne who is just shot down by a sniper and the street as it looks today.
He is remembered at the Eastland City Cemetery, Eastland County, Texas.
Hitler killed himself 30th April.
https://www.fieldsofhonor-database....war-cemetery-margraten-w/65852-wynne-robert-v
Pfc Robert V. Wynne joined the Army Reserve in San Antonio, Texas on 3 August 1943. He attended University of Texas at Austin, class of 1943.
The pictures show Pfc Robert Wynne who is just shot down by a sniper and the street as it looks today.
He is remembered at the Eastland City Cemetery, Eastland County, Texas.
Hitler killed himself 30th April.
https://www.fieldsofhonor-database....war-cemetery-margraten-w/65852-wynne-robert-v
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Actually, the second medal is the French Médaille militaire (English: Military Medal)
View attachment 280250
is a military decoration of the French Republic for other ranks for meritorious service and acts of bravery in action against an enemy force.
The picture was coloured by modern computer programme and the "artist" appears to have misidentified the medal the ribbon colors should be yellow with green stripes on the edge.
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Warrant Officer D. Gosling (left) and Squadron Leader G.H. Hayhurst of No. 604 Squadron RAF, stand in front of their De Havilland Mosquito NF Mark XII in the snow at B51/Lille-Vendeville, France, before taking off on a night-fighter sortie.
No. 604 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force noted for its pioneering role the development of radar-controlled night-fighter operations. The squadron was established in March 1930 at RAF Hendon as a day-bomber squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. In July 1934, the squadron transitioned to two-seat fighters. Shortly after the commencement of World War II in 1939, the squadron was reassigned to a night-fighter role.
Late in September 1940 the squadron received its first Bristol Beaufighter, equipped with four 20-mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannon under the nose and improved Mark IV AI radio-location equipment. As one of the few squadrons thus equipped, 604 Squadron provided night defence over the UK during the Blitz from late 1940 until mid May 1941, when most Luftwaffe bomber units departed for involvement in the invasion of Russia. By this time 50 air victories had been claimed by the squadron—fourteen by F/L John Cunningham.
In early 1943 the squadron began to switch over to night intruder operations. In February 1944, the squadron was allocated to the 2nd Tactical Air Force and began conversion to the de Havilland Mosquito. Operations from Normandy began in August but the following month the unit returned to the UK, returning to the continent once again in January 1945. They remained there until disbanding at B.51 at Vendeville, near Lille, France on 18 April 1945. Some 127 air victories had been claimed by the Squadron during the war, 41 since May 1944. A notable member of the squadron, later awarded a posthumous George Cross, was John Quinton DFC.
Photographer: Plt. Off. R.R. Broom.
Photo: WikiCommons Ref: CL1827.
Image Repair & Colourisation - Nathan Howland
No. 604 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force noted for its pioneering role the development of radar-controlled night-fighter operations. The squadron was established in March 1930 at RAF Hendon as a day-bomber squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. In July 1934, the squadron transitioned to two-seat fighters. Shortly after the commencement of World War II in 1939, the squadron was reassigned to a night-fighter role.
Late in September 1940 the squadron received its first Bristol Beaufighter, equipped with four 20-mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannon under the nose and improved Mark IV AI radio-location equipment. As one of the few squadrons thus equipped, 604 Squadron provided night defence over the UK during the Blitz from late 1940 until mid May 1941, when most Luftwaffe bomber units departed for involvement in the invasion of Russia. By this time 50 air victories had been claimed by the squadron—fourteen by F/L John Cunningham.
In early 1943 the squadron began to switch over to night intruder operations. In February 1944, the squadron was allocated to the 2nd Tactical Air Force and began conversion to the de Havilland Mosquito. Operations from Normandy began in August but the following month the unit returned to the UK, returning to the continent once again in January 1945. They remained there until disbanding at B.51 at Vendeville, near Lille, France on 18 April 1945. Some 127 air victories had been claimed by the Squadron during the war, 41 since May 1944. A notable member of the squadron, later awarded a posthumous George Cross, was John Quinton DFC.
Photographer: Plt. Off. R.R. Broom.
Photo: WikiCommons Ref: CL1827.
Image Repair & Colourisation - Nathan Howland
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A seasoned German soldier displaying the tools of trade of the specially trained ‘Sturmtruppen’. Late WWI period.
In his hands and belt he carries M1917 Stielhandgranate, together with a M1911 wire cutters. He is wearing a M16 steel helmet and trousers with leather reinforced knees. Quite interestingly, he used some wire to attach a branch of a needle-leaved tree to camouflage himself. As typical for assault troops, the rifle (Kar98) was carried on the back as they relied on grenades and small arms to break through the enemy’s defenses.
At his feet lies a 'Geballte Ladung' (concentrated charge). The 'Geballte Ladung' consisted of a normal stick grenade which was complemented with 6 to 9 grenade heads. The additional charges were fixed to the central stick with wire and were fitted with detonators using small slivers of wood. A rarely seen device in WWI photos.
Text adapted from the original by S. Wouters
Original: Unused postcard property of S. Wouters Collection
In his hands and belt he carries M1917 Stielhandgranate, together with a M1911 wire cutters. He is wearing a M16 steel helmet and trousers with leather reinforced knees. Quite interestingly, he used some wire to attach a branch of a needle-leaved tree to camouflage himself. As typical for assault troops, the rifle (Kar98) was carried on the back as they relied on grenades and small arms to break through the enemy’s defenses.
At his feet lies a 'Geballte Ladung' (concentrated charge). The 'Geballte Ladung' consisted of a normal stick grenade which was complemented with 6 to 9 grenade heads. The additional charges were fixed to the central stick with wire and were fitted with detonators using small slivers of wood. A rarely seen device in WWI photos.
Text adapted from the original by S. Wouters
Original: Unused postcard property of S. Wouters Collection
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