World War II in Photos - A Retrospective in 20 Parts

The Atlantic ^ | June 19, 2011 | Alan Taylor

[bigbob]

World War II is the story of the 20th Century. The war officially lasted from 1939 until 1945, but the causes of the conflict and its horrible aftermath reverberated for decades in either direction. While feats of bravery and technological breakthroughs still inspire awe today, the majority of the war was dominated by unimaginable misery and destruction. In the late 1930s, the world's population was approximately 2 billion. In less than a decade, the war between the nations of the Axis Powers and the Allies resulted in some 80 million deaths -- killing off about 4 percent of the whole world.

This series of entries was originally posted weekly to TheAtlantic.com from June 19 through October 30, 2011, running every Sunday morning for 20 weeks. In this collection of 900 photos over 20 essays, I tried to explore the events of the war, the people involved at the front and back home, and the effects the war had on everyday lives. These images still give us glimpses into the real-life experiences of our parents, grandparents and great grandparents, moments that shaped the world as it is today. There were thousands of events affecting millions of lives, and I hope that I was able to do justice to this important story in this large-photo narrative format and thank you for joining along the way.

[bigbob]

Highly recommend taking the time to look at this outstanding photo essay about the most significant event in the lives of many of us, our parents, and grandparents.

The timing is appropriate, as we near Veterans Day, to offer our heartfelt thanks to all those who served in this, and all other wars.

[crazydad]

I have been looking at work when we are dead. This is amazing.

[ken5050]

Some amazing pics...suggest you ping the list..

[KoRn]

Awesome!

My grandfather was in WWII. I wish he were still alive so I could talk to him about it. I was too young/naive/ignorant to appreciate what he was a part of during our time together. My father was in Vietnam, but he won’t say much about it whenever I try to get him to talk about it.

[bigbob]

Understand, my dad is 87 and still in pretty good health, but like most WWII veterans doesn’t talk much about those times. These pictures help us gain some insight into what it must have been like.

[Da Coyote]

Those photos were magnificent...and sobering. Thanks, Atlantic.

[DJ MacWoW]

If FR Is Your Garden Of Sanity, Please Feed It

Click The Pic

[twistedwrench]

ping

[unkus]

Thanks, bigbob.

[twistedwrench]

Thanks!

[twistedwrench]

My Dad was in a sub in the Pacific. As I got older, he would indulge into more stories.
I could see in his eyes though, there was a lot that remained untold.

[hellbender]

Those of you with relatives who served in the military during WW II should check the registry of the World War II Memorial. If they are not already listed, you can enter their names.

http://www.wwiimemorial.com/default.asp?page=registry.asp&subpage=intro

[JDoutrider]

Thank you for this...

[DuncanWaring]

World War II is the story of the 20th Century. The war officially lasted from 1939 until 1945, but the causes of the conflict and its horrible aftermath reverberated for decades in either direction.

Interesting photos, but it would be more accurate to lead-off the story with "The Great War is the story of the 20th Century. The war officially lasted from 1914 until 1918, but the causes of the conflict and its horrible aftermath reverberated for decades in either direction. "

Europe never recovered from The Great War.

[glock rocks]

http://www.wwiimemorial.com/default.asp?page=registry.asp&subpage=intro

[Brad’s Gramma]

;)

[Java4Jay]

bump

[CodeToad]

Thanks! That is an outstanding set of images. Loads of them, too.

[rightly_dividing]

*

[WKUHilltopper]

For later...