Being able to see World War 2 colorized photos was not something that was widely available until 2017. World War 2 is a time in our history that is not fondly remembered. It was the time of suffering and grief but also the time of perseverance and camaraderie.
While the Axis Powers united to tear the world apart, the allies formed to stitch it back together. The photos that were left of this period are a testament to both sides of the war.
Photography has been the means to capture memories since 1896. The first photos were in a low-quality black and white, but nevertheless, a crucial part of history. Seen as a novelty at the time, bringing color into early photography was a goal to which the inventors always strove.
However, it wouldn't be until very well into the 20th century for the colorization of the photos to become commercial. The new era of color photography began with the introduction of Kodachrome films in1935 and 35 mm slides in 1936. Even then, this technique wasn't widely available, and it wasn't likely that a photographer on the battlefield would have access to it.
Black and white photos of World War 2 are some of the most significant documents of our history. Seeing World War 2 colorized photos is a recent novelty. It all began with digital artists uniting to bring new emotion to the black and white photos of the great war by adding color to them digitally for the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe.
There are plenty of collections that feature World War 2 colorized photos, and the best of them are even kept in museums throughout Europe.
Adding color to a black and white photo helps to see it in a new light and further experience the events that transpired in that period. We have chosen the most interesting colorized photos of the World War 2 colorized photos collection. Enjoy experiencing history in color!
World War 2 Gun Crew Getting Ready
Take a look at this photo from the World War 2 colorized photos collection of a 5.5-inch gun crew from 75th, Shropshire Yeomanry, Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery. This was taken during a scorching summer in 1943 in Italy.
Flamethrower Tank In Action
A wonderfully captured photo in the World War 2 colorized photos collection. It depicts a Churchill Crocodile flamethrower tank in action. It was taken during the culmination of World War 2, in August 1944.
Armored Division
This is one of the World War 2 colorized photos of the crew from the 16th. 5th Lancers, 6th Armoured Division captured during the regular maintenance of the gun barrel of their Crusader tank at El Aroussa in Tunisia in 1943.
Backpack Flamethrower Of A German Soldier
A photo of a German soldier as he fires a backpack flamethrower across a field of tall grass in the Soviet Union. The year this was taken is unknown.
Female Workers - Lathe Operators
We might have forgotten that when men were mobilized for the war, the women were left to tend to factories back home. This is a photo of a lathe operator as she forges parts for transport planes at the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation plant in Fort Worth, Texas. It was taken in 1942.
Royal Airforce Airplane
A Royal Air Force Lockheed Hudson Mk VI (AE626) of the Middle East Communications Flight flying over the Egyptian pyramids. This was captured in 1942.
US Navy Sailor
A rare moment captured on film. A sailor from the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Bennington inscribing a bomb with the text "For Gael!" in memory of a departed shipmate. Pacific, 1945.
Signaler On A Ship
A photo of a signaller operating an Aldis lamp on board a British warship, taken in 1942.
Aftermath Of A Bombardment
Another example of the impactful World War 2 colorized photos. This is the view of bomb damage in the area around St Paul's Cathedral. The photo was taken in 1944.
Marlene Dietrich
Famous actress Marlene Dietrich is sitting on the piano while troops gather around. Sometimes the soldiers also need a break. This was taken in Italy, 1945.
Tank Crew
A photo of the American tank crew servicemen at Fort Knox featured in World War 2 colorized photos collection. It was taken in 1942.
Air Raid Precautions Warden
In World War 2, air raids were a common danger. This is a photo of an Air Raid Precautions (ARP) warden inspecting a damaged building in Holborn, London. Taken in 1941.
Spotter With Binoculars
A photo of a female Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) spotter with binoculars was located at an anti-aircraft command post in December 1942.
Armorers At Work
Another photo of the various tasks that the women in World War 2 had. These are the armorers of the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) as they re-arm a Hawker Hurricane aircraft at the Fleet Air Arm airfield at Yeovilton, Somerset, 2 September 1943.
Auxiliary Plotters At Work
Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) plotters at work at Coastal Artillery Headquarters in Dover, December 1942.
Preparing For A Jump
A photo of the British paratroopers preparing for a practice jump from an RAF Dakota based at Down Ampney in Wiltshire, 22 April 1944.
Dignitaries Gathered
A rare photo of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin during the Yalta Conference (Crimea). It was taken in 1945.
A Tour Of Quebec
WRNS officers are shown the sights of Quebec by a member of the Canadian Mounted Police Force after the first Quebec Conference. It was taken on 23 August 1943.
A Celebration
A photo of the celebration of the liberation of France. It was taken in 1944.
Children On A Tank
Another among the stunning World War 2 colorized photos. It depicts children aboard a Sherman tank of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry in Sicily. It was taken in August 1943.
Tanks Of The World War 2
Churchill tanks of A and B Squadrons, 43rd Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment, 33rd Brigade negotiate obstacles during training. Taken in October 1942.
Celebrations Taking Place
As Victory day arrived, crowds gathered to celebrate. This was taken the Cenotaph in Whitehall, 8 May 1945.
Dancing Of The Civilians
A photo depicting Dutch civilians dance in the streets after the liberation of Eindhoven by Allied forces. It was taken in 1944.
Teaching The King
A rare photo of the Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery as he explains Allied strategy to King George VI in his command caravan in Holland. Taken in 1944.
The Assembly Plant Of World War 2
Lancaster bombers nearing completion in Avro's assembly plant at Woodford near Manchester. It was taken in 1943.
Women Of The Army At Work
Land Army women sawing larch poles for use as pit props at the Women's Timber Corps training camp at Culford, Suffolk, 1943.
Airplane During A Mission
A stunning photo was taken of the Lieutenant Vernon R Richards of the 361st Fighter Group as he flies his P-51D Mustang, nicknamed Tika IV. This was during a bomber escort mission in 1944.
Collaboration With The Locals
One of the World War 2 colorized photos of the local workers help RAF fitters change the engine of a Lockheed Hudson at Yundum in the Gambia, April 1943.
Women At Work, Once More
A wonderful photo of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) members as they are preparing parachutes for use by British airborne forces during the invasion of Europe. It was taken in May 1944.
Men Of The Airborne Division
This is a photo of the men of the Airborne Division. They are adjusting their harnesses alongside an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley PX-G of No. 295 Squadron RAF. The photo was taken in October 1942.
Taking A Card Break
Under all the pressure, the soldiers needed a way to blow off steam. This is a photo of men of the Royal Navy playing cards on board the submarine HMS Tribune, 1942.
An Outing Of Nurses And Patients
A much-needed break for the staff and the patients. This photo of nurses and convalescent aircrew at Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Hospital at Halton in Buckinghamshire. Taken in 1943.
Bayonet Practice
A photo of Private T Henderson as he practices an assault with a fixed bayonet during training. It was taken in 1944.
Short Stop To Admire The Arhitecture
A stunning photo of Sergeant R Gregory photographs Driver A Hardman during a tour of the Acropolis in Athens, October 1944.
Tank Crew
Do you know where they are going? This is a photo of the US troops as they get ready for the D-Day, 1944.
German Heavy Cruiser
The wreckage of the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper lies abandoned in a dry dock at Kiel, Germany. It was taken in May 1945.
Wing Commander
The RAF's top-scoring fighter pilot, Wing Commander James Johnnie Johnson, with his Spitfire enjoying a quiet moment with his pet Labrador, Sally, in Normandy. It was taken in 1944.
US Air Force Over Germany
A photo of US Air Force airplanes flying over Germany. It was taken in 1945.
The Reality Of Prison Camps Of World War 2 Colorized Photos
This is a photo of two prisoners of the Buchenwald concentration camp. It is just one among the many of its kind to be opened during World War 2. The photo was taken in 1945.
Women Working In A Bullet Factory
A photo of women producing bullets and cannon shells in an underground munitions factory on the Wirral, Merseyside. This is one of the World War 2 colorized photos taken in 1945.
Rare Moments Of Being With The Loved Ones
A photo of two soldiers of the Royal Military Police with Anna, a four-year-old Austrian girl with whose family the men were billeted, in the Klagenfurt area of occupied Austria. It was taken in May 1945.
One Of The World War 2 Colorized Photos Straight From The Battlefield
This photo depicts the US troops in Cologne in 1945.
How Do You Feel After Looking At World World 2 Colorized Photos?
Whether you are a fan of history or if you are reluctant to look back on such a difficult period as World War 2 was, you are still bound to admire the photos from this collection. World War 2 colorized photos are unlike anything you have ever seen. The rare, stunning photos of the children as they have lived through the great war are bound to pull on your heartstrings, while the freshly colorized photos of the brave men and women will make you respect them even more.
These photos capture the life on the front lines as you have never seen before. With many artists taking a liking to the process of colorization, we are bound to see more of our history in stunning color.
