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Keystone Photo Shows: Gable talks, from behind a machine-gun, to Sgt. Gunner Phil Hulse, of Springfield, Mo., Right, and Sgt. Gunner Kenneth Huls, from Perkin, Oklahoma.’ On reverse: US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamp]. Print No: 268131.

Second World War

American Airmen In Britain During The Second World War

Over two million American servicemen passed through Britain during the Second World War. In 1944, at the height of activity, up to half a million were based there with the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Their job was to man and maintain the vast fleets of aircraft needed to attack German cities and industry.

There are two main portraits showing a woman and a man with their heads covered facing the viewer, but inclining their heads towards each other. In the lower left corner there are two other, smaller faces also facing the viewer. In the upper right corner of the canvas the face of a mother with a child is visible. The child's face partially obscures the mother's downcast face.

Transport, 1974, by Roman Halter. © artist's estate.

Holocaust

Ghettos In The Holocaust

After the Nazis occupied Poland in 1939, they began segregating Jews in ghettos, usually in the most run-down area of a city. By mid-1941, nearly all Jews in occupied Poland had been forced into these overcrowded districts.

An abstract aerial view of a bombing raid on a city.

Battle of Germany Paul Nash (1944) ©

Art And Design

How Paul Nash Explored His Fear Of Death From The Sky In The Painting Battle Of Germany

Daily inspection for a Liberator III of No 224 Squadron at Beaulieu in Hampshire, December 1942.

War In The Air

How RAF Coastal Command Defended Britain During The Second World War

Aircrew in full flying kit walking beneath the nose of Short Stirling Mark I, N3676 'S', of 1651 Heavy Conversion Unit at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire while the ground crew run up the engines. The pilot (2nd from left) has been identified as an American, Sergeant Leonard A Johnson. Also believed to be shown are Sergeant Rennie, engineer (far right), Sergeant Jock McGown, rear gunner (2nd from right), Sergeant Agg (3rd from right), Sergeant Lofthouse (4th from right) and Sergeant J King, navigator (left).

War In The Air

How The Second World War Was Fought From The Air

While operating in Borneo during the Indonesian Confrontation, a soldier is winched up to a Westland Wessex HAS3 of 845 Naval Air Squadron, during operations in the jungle. A soldier is kneeling on the edge of the extraction zone.

Britain And The Commonwealth Since 1945

A Brief History Of The Brunei Revolt And The Indonesian Confrontation

Cold War

How The Allies Defeated The Soviet Blockade Of Berlin In The Cold War

The Berlin Airlift was the first major confrontation between the East and the West during the Cold War. It was known as Operation 'Plainfare' by the British and Operation 'Vittles' by the Americans.

Atomic Bomb damage: Aftermath of the Atomic Bomb in Hiroshima.

Second World War

How The End Of The Second World War Led To A Nuclear Arms Race

In August 1945 atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, hastening the end of the Second World War and heralding the birth of the atomic age.

‘Never Again’, Peter Kennard ©The artist.

People Power: Fighting For Peace

6 Powerful Protest Posters By Peter Kennard

Peter Kennard was born in London in 1949 and began studying at The Slade School of Fine Art in 1967. While there, he became involved with anti-Vietnam War protests and decided to move away from painting to find a medium more suited to his activism. Here are six of Kennard's powerful protest posters.

‘Reasons for Resigning’ is Max Plowman’s copy of the 3 page document he sent to his battalion in January 1918 to resign his commission. It clearly expresses his religious and moral conscientious objection to war.

People Power: Fighting For Peace

Max Plowman: from Army officer to conscientious objector

Max Plowman (1883-1941) was a British Army officer and writer who served on the Western Front during the First World War. He is perhaps best known for his 1928 memoir of his war experiences A Subaltern on the Somme, published under the pseudonym ‘Mark VII’.

Gimbo, Fuck W*r *US Gov't regulations prohibits the printing of obscene words (1970) © Gimbo.

People Power: Fighting For Peace

Six Protest Posters From the 1960s and 1970s

After the Second World War, the United States and the Soviet Union continued to develop and test nuclear weapons. Britain became the third nuclear power in the late 1950s. Many people in Britain were frightened and horrified by these actions. There was a rise in protests against nuclear weapons. Here are six protest posters from the 1960s and 1970s.

People Power: Fighting For Peace

Seven Posters And Placards From A Century Of Anti-War Protest

'Dr Carrot', a bright orange bespectacled carrot, skips left to right carrying a top hat and a doctor's briefcase marked 'Vit- A'. text: DOCTOR CARROT the Children's best friend.

Second World War

11 Amazing Home Front Posters From The Second World War

From 'A handkerchief in time saves nine' to 'Plan ahead - allow for growing', the Home Front posters of the Second World War give a fascinating insight into life in Britain during the Second World War.

Swallow tail cream wool penant with black applique wool skull and X bones. Pole sleeve: 4 x small holes finished with buttonhole stitches and 6 x dfferent rubber stamps / black ink.

First World War

8 Peculiar Battle Trophies Taken From The Front

a portrait of the cartoon character the Squander Bug, set within a design of a 'Wanted' poster pinned to a wall. text: WANTED FOR SABOTAGE THE SQUANDERBUG ALIAS HITLER'S PAL KNOWN TO BE AT LARGE IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE KINGDOM USUALLY FOUND IN THE COMPANY OF USELESS ARTICLES, HAS A TEMPTING LEER AND A FLATTERING MANNER WANTED ALSO FOR THE CRIME OF 'SHOPPERS DISEASE' INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PEST SHOULD BE REPORTED TO W.F.P.299.

Second World War

Meet The Squander Bug

This unpleasant-looking character is called the Squander Bug, and it was created during the Second World War by artist Phillip Boydell, an employee of the National Savings Committee. The cartoon bug appeared in press adverts and poster campaigns as a menace who encouraged shoppers to waste money rather than buy war savings certificates.

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