Random Rare Photos From World War II (10 items)

(#1) An Abandoned Boy Sitting Amid The Ruins Of His London Home

An abandoned boy sits clutching a stuffed animal amid the ruins that used to be his London home. This image was captured by Toni Frissell after a German air raid in 1945.
(#8) Aleksandra Samusenko, A Female Tank Commander

Aleksandra Samusenko was one of the only female tank officers of the Soviet Armed Forces and served as a tank commander from 1943-1944.

Samusenko rose to fame both for her heroic performance during the Battle of Kursk and for leading her forces out of an ambush when her commander fell during a later battle.
(#6) The Sky Over The United Kingdom After A 1940 Battle

This photo was taken in the United Kingdom in 1940 and shows the city skies after an air fight between British and German pilots.
(#5) German Soldiers Looting Fallen American GIs

This photo was taken during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, and depicts German soldiers stripping boots and other supplies off of fallen US soldiers.
(#10) The Eiffel Tower During German Occupation, 1940

During the German occupation of France in 1940, Hitler originally called for the removal of the Eiffel Tower. Luckily, his orders were never carried out.

Later, French resistance fighters cut the cables to the tower's elevators so that any Germans who wished to see the view from the top would be forced to climb the stairs.
(#4) Two Soldiers With 'Easter Eggs'

Technical Sergeant William E. Thomas and Private First Class Joseph Jackson had an extra special Easter egg for Hitler in 1945.