Rare Pictures of World War II

Hell in the Pacific: Rare World War II photographs show American soldiers' fight for survival in brutal Battle of Saipan

It is the little-known battle that claimed the lives of thousands of Americans during World War II.

But now black-and-white photographs, captured by Life magazine photographer W. Eugene Smith, show the everyday horrors for the U.S. soldiers fighting against Japanese forces on the Mariana Island of Saipan between June 15 and July 9, 1944.

Faces etched with the pain of their experiences, war-weary men are captured transporting their wounded comrades or forcing Japanese civilians from their hiding places.

Rare Pictures of World War II

Life And Times Of Prince Philip In Pictures

The Duke of Edinburgh at 90: the life and times of Prince Philip in pictures

Prince Philip was born on 10 June 1921. He is pictured above in July 1922

Life And Times Of Prince Philip In Pictures

Beauties of 30s

Beauties of 30s

Bright Images Of Dark Times

Bright images in dark times: Mesmerising colour photographs show resolve of Greatest Generation during World War II

They are the images usually only seen in black and white - a fitting hue for the gloom of a 1940s America engaged in World War II and experiencing the Great Depression.

But these vivid photographs in glorious colour show better than ever what life on the United States home front was really like as war raged in Europe.

From a Californian female aircraft worker focused on checking electrical wiring, to children rolling potatoes into a barrel on a farmyard in Maine - the pictures illustrate the significant role of those not on the battle fields.

 Concentration: Women at work on C-47 Douglas cargo transport, Douglas Aircraft Company, Long Beach, California in October 1942.

Bright Images Of Dark Times

Vintage Sailing

Vintage Sailing