This collection presents a unique glimpse into the Second World War through rare, previously unseen photographs. These images capture pivotal moments, everyday life on the front lines, and behind-the-scenes scenes, showcasing the resilience, struggles, and humanity of soldiers and civilians alike. From battlefield snapshots to candid portraits, these photos offer a deeper understanding of the war’s impact across different nations and provide invaluable historical insight into one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century...
A very unusual portrait of a soldier, don't you think? He is wearing some sort of camouflage and it looks like a later photograph. And the fighter at a fleeting glance looks more like an American marine, for example, in Vietnam.
But no. This is sniper of the 3rd Belorussian Front Sergei Vezberdev. On his account - 486 killed Hitlerites (!). The photo was taken in October 1944. The trenchcoat and mosquito net are trophy ones, respectively.
German soldiers heroically pose with the Soviet banner
Yes, it is the Waffen-SS, but it is not a banner of Red Army military unit defeated in battle, but just a school banner from the pioneer's room. By the way, there are more curious pictures in the archives, where Germans are photographed with the so-called transition banners of Soviet trusts, collective farms, etc.
Now, here's where the situation is reversed
Soldiers of the Red Army are studying the spoils. Including German flags. The poses, of course, are staged, purely for the frame, but the captured enemy artillery units are real.
And another shot, also trophy-themed
1941, Soviet soldiers inspect the spoils and unexpectedly discover in a German gas mask case ...potatoes.
Some girl is very happy with a German soldier and treats him to fresh milk
It remains to specify that it is 1941 and the case takes place in the Ukrainian SSR.
A German with a flag and a bottle of liquor in his hands sits on the head of the bust of Stalin
It can be added that this is a non-commissioned officer of the Luftwaffe, i.e. the German Air Force, but where and when this photo shoot took place is unknown. The point is that unlike the Soviet soldiers, who were forbidden to have photographic equipment, the Germans had plenty of cameras and that is why there are many ‘humorous’ productions in German archives.
