The myriad of uniform variations and service branches in the following images is a reminder of the chaotic nature of the late war in Germany. A member of the 9th Armored Division snapped a series of two dozen images of captured German soldiers. I’ve chosen a small selection to share here. These medium format negatives scan with great quality.
For those interested in views of Holland during WWII I present the following set of unwatermarked images. Please enjoy, and if you plan on using these for publication, please contact me first. I assume most were taken in Amsterdam, but some may have been snapped in other places in the Netherlands and possibly Germany.
Want more? I have over 200 images taken in Holland during WWII. Add a comment asking for specific topics and I should be able to help you out!
A nice grouping of 150+ color slides taken in Germany during the 3rd Army occupation in late 1945. Enjoy the vibrant colors of Germany!
German POW Camp
Caught in the act of painting!
We here at Portraits of War have spent countless hours scanning and editing the photographic work of Alva, but have neglected to post a series of photos relating to what he looked like while stationed at Kennishall nearly 70 years ago. I hope you enjoy seeing the face of the man responsible for recording the everyday activities around Knettishall.
The tension in the air is almost palpable. Painted bomber jackets, crusher hats, and wafting palls of smoke all set the scene. A basic map is being chalked on the board, while pilots and navigators take note.
Alva Alegre took every opportunity to shoot in and around London while on pass. His images capture wartime London as seen in 1944, at a time when the Luftwaffe was still a real threat to the civilian population. Please enjoy the view through Alva’s lens as he travels throughout the city of London!
Alva and Muse
The Royal Arcade
Close Up View of Sign
Work Horses Plow a Field
Windswept Nurse
Alva spins a spit!
Seated Pose
A Barracks Fistfight
One of my favorite topics within the collection has to be the various sketches and murals strewn about the Knettishall barracks. From the humerous to the erotic, Alva painted it all. Enjoy!
A recent eBay discovery yielded this little gem for my collection. Original snapshots of Ernie Pyle are not uncommon, but this one can be tied down to a specific date. Ernie landed on June 7th, 1944 on D-Day +1. Enjoy this rare original photo!
Ernie Pyle June 7th, 1944
Photo Reverse
Portraits of War 