When I got involved in genealogy, I didn’t give WWII a second thought, let alone consider the time period “history.” I guess that’s just goes to show how long I’ve been digging for dead folks… However, over seven decades have passed since the United States entered the War. I guess WWII is definately history – and I’ve begun to spend much more time researching my relatives in the context of that war.
One place to look for excellent imagery from the War is at the National Archives website. Under “Military Records > World War II > Photos they have a section entitled “Pictures of World War II.” Here you will find all kinds of photos covering 22 broad topics as follows:
- Aid & Comfort
- Aviation
- Battle of Britain
- Death & Destruction
- France
- German Aggression
- Germany
- The Holocaust
- The Home Front
- Island Campaigns
- Iwo Jima & Okinawa
- Japan
- Japan Attacks
- Leaders
- The Low Countries
- Navy and Naval Battles
- North Africa, Sicily, Italy
- Philippine Islands
- Prisoners
- Rest & Relaxation
- Supply & Support
- Victory & Peace
The pictures are from the holdings of the Still Picture Branch (NNSP) of the National Archives and Records Administration. According to the website, most are from the records of the Army Signal Corps in Record Group (RG) 111, the Department of the Navy in RG 80, the Coast Guard in RG 26, the Marine Corps in RG 127, and the Office of War Information in RG 208. Others were selected from the records of 12 additional agencies.
On the “Pictures of World War II” page is found an extensive list laid out by category as seen in the above list. Found there is the description given each photo with the original captions in quotation marks. Photographers, artists, locations, and dates, when known, are also included. Finally, the identification number of the picture is given in italics, allowing us to order prints of these images.
