Soldiers in Action

Historic photos of soldiers in diverse roles, from combat to training, showcasing equipment and environments from different military conflicts with a focus on human resilience.

Winston Spencer Churchill (1874-1965) British statesman, as a war correspondent during the Second Boer War, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 1900. Churchill standing at the opening of his tent.

M. Charlesworth. July 05, 1946.

Allied soldier. WWII.

With The Australian In Korea -- The Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, Lt. Col M. Austin, of Devonport, Tas, (right) and WO R.O. McLaughlin, who acted as Father Christmas, share some refreshment at the Battalion's Christmas festivities which were held on New Years Day as the Battalion was in the line on Xmas Day. January 1, 1953. (Photo by Australian Army Photo).

***** Force' Combats Malayan Insurgents -- At The End of "Ferret" training jungle-wise Malay soldier prepares to track down communists in the heart of the jungles where they hide, and to stay on the track for weeks if necessary.Britain has unveiled her secret weapon in the war against Malayan Communist insurgents - "Ferret Force."It is composed of teams of trained jungle-fighters, Malays, Gurkhas and British. They are office red by veterans of the Burma Campaign.Dyaks flown from the Borneo Jungle act as guides and Chinese go along as interpreters. This is because most of Malaya's 5,000 insurgents are Chinese. June 29, 1950. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).

The Royal Navy during the Second World War A British navy frogman. They were the underwater experts who blasted a hole in the Nazi's Atlantic Wall to enable invasion craft to reach the Normandy beaches on D-Day.

Photo collection Spaarnestad topics. C. Nederlands Front - Meidagen '40. Repro's telex messages and newspaper pages. German SS shock troops that command had access to the Afsluitdijk to forcefully, could only take a major attack by severe opposition that expressed a full failure. May 1940. The Netherlands

Winston Spencer Churchill (1874-1965) British statesman, as a war correspondent during the Second Boer War, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 1900. Churchill standing at the opening of his tent.

Field Marshall Lord Montgomery - Portraits - Personalities. December 11, 1943. (Photo by Paul Popper).

As They Are: A Legionnaire in battledress (with medals). Europe's Toughest Fighter Men Of The French Foreign Legion ***** De Gaulle -- A typical "Legionairre", a hero of Narvik, smiles as he shows his medals won in many *****. September 17, 1940. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).

Dr. Frederick C. Lincoln (1892 - 1960) remains a giant in birding circles, both because of his scientific skills and reputation and his ability to translate technical information into popular literature. A wildlife biologist who devoted his career to the. Subjects: Refuge Centennial; NWR. . 1998 - 2011.

Britain's Shock Troops Practice Assault Tactics. 4 February 1943, Combined Operations School, Dundonald Camp. British Commando Troops in Training. Commandos of the Royal Engineers with their 'Yukon packs' containing the gear with which they land on the beaches.

James Gordon - V. C. Winner. November 2, 1942.

United States: c. 1950 A young man in climbing gear with a rope over his shoulder.

An infantryman with combat packaging and his Lee Enfield rifle with stuffed bayonet in a combat attitude.

D.V. Davies (Casino) N.S.W. September 4, 1950.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Knil Detachement in Pleihari (Zuid-Borneo). Pleihari (Zd. Borneo). A patrol of inf. 13 out. Walking patrol is not a children's work in these swampy areas, but the cluers do turn through, an adjutant or vandrig with pipe. 27 February 1948. Borneo, Indonesia, Kalimantan, Dutch East Indies, Pleihari

D Company, 52nd Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces Private A J Jones enlisted in October 1915. He was reported missing in September 1916 and reported killed in May 1917. Faces of the First World War Find out more about this First World War Centenary project at www.1914.org/faces. This image is from IWM Collections. The Museum released this image on a custom licence - IWM Non-Commercial license. However where the photograph has no known author, these are public domain under the 70 rule and where they were owned by the Ministry of Information, any other government department or agency, taken by a member of the military during their service or by a photographer commissioned by the services, these are now out of copyright restriction.

Arrival in Australia of famous film star Joe E. Brown who will tour battle areas entertaining U.S. Troops. March 18, 1943. (Photo by Department of Information Photo)

Norwegian Avengers Train in U.S. -- A Norwegian Avenger practices throwing a hand grenade during combat training with the special unit of the U.S. Army composed of Norwegians and Americans of Norwegian extraction. March 08, 1943. (Photo by U. S. Office of War Information Photo)

Red Devils Drop In On Operation Holdfast -- Corporal Andrew Ferguson, of Glasgow, photographed after landing in Germany. He has just shed his parachute and is ready for "Action".Three companies of weekend paratroopers the 46th parachute battalion of the 16th territorial Army Division - Dropped out of the rain from nine boxcar aircraft during operation holdfast in Germany yesterday.They made one of the most perfect parachute drops ever - Right on to the target. Their job was to wreck ammunition and petrol dumps of the retreating "Blue" Army. The landings were made at UNNA, on the Dortmund road. September 21, 1952. (Photo by Paul Popper, Paul Popper Ltd.).

JOHN WAYNE in THE GREEN BERETS (1968), directed by JOHN WAYNE and RAY KELLOGG.

Belgian Expert Jacques de Pablo, who flew specially from Brussels, demonstrates a new Energa anti-tank rifle grenade at Puckapunyal, (Vic.). It is claimed to be almost as accurate as a rifle. March 28, 1953.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Reporting Dajeuhkolot (Bandoeng sector). Military greeting military. February 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

The British Army in Burma 1944 With a Bren gun across his shoulder, Private J George of the South Wales Borderers, 36th Infantry Division, looks tired and unshaven after nearly a week on patrol in the Pinwe area, 18-19 November 1944.

Anefo photo collection. Marvo number 310 Indian sailor at gun mouth. November 4, 1948

Hansen with harpoon head and a harpoon that has recovered after the killing of a whale last season. More the fans that ran out beside the whale after the harpoon head is detonation. September 15, 1950.

Mr. Churchill In East Scotland -- Mr. Churchill makes a survey during his visit. On left of picture can be seen General Sikorski, the Polish Prime Minister. Inspecting none of Britain's defences, Mr. Winston Churchill, has just made a surprise tour of coastal districts in East Scotland. October 24, 1940. (Photo by Fox Photos).

07/31/1936. The soldier Jesús Gómez, who during the Shooting, managed to leave the barracks to notify the Popular Militias and Assault Guard.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Garut. Memorial ceremony at honorary cemetery. A trumpeter. December 10, 1947. Garoet, Indonesia, Java, Dutch East Indies

Anefo photo collection. Royal Dutch Indian Army (KNIL), Australia. Suriname, Dutch people arrive, Caribbean Indians, Creoles, Javanese Hindustani. quota mentioned: West Indian forces KNIL. 1944. Australia

Lt. W. A. Atkinson Examines Shell Hole In His Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" Of The 401St Bomb Group At An 8Th Air Force Base In England, 20 June 1944.

"Rover Joe" -- A Gound-Air Tactical Method Used By Mediterranean Allied Air Forces To Coordinate Fighter-Bombers And Infantry Action In The Mountain Approaches. "Rover Joes" (Usually Former Pilots) Spot Enemy Targets And By Radio, Relay Locations To Maaf

Jack Miller , Machetes, Helmets, Miller, Jack, 1924-1948. Jack Miller Collection

"Hospital" in a Luzon Foxhole. "Hospital" in a Luzon Foxhole. Member of a Coast Guard beach party dresses the shattered arm of a wounded Yankee as the first wave hits the beach at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, on Jan. 9. Emergency medical stations were set up in foxholes as cover from Jap fire. The Coast Guardsman is Leland Lena, hospital apprentice second class, of Berkeley, Calif.

Infanterist in combat suit with the weapon to the shoulder and English model helmet.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Visit of main legene mushroom Colonel H.J.J.M. Van Straelen to Makassar. Visit of main almsier Colonel H.J.J.M. Van Straelen. With a machine gun station. Next to him a lieutenant. March 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

In 1973 there were numerous spontaneous work stoppages in the Federal Republic of Germany, such as this one on 17 September 1973 by the garbage workers in Dortmund, because of the high rate of inflation

Elsevier photo collection. Dutch in the Korean war.Soldate Jan Hobbel (Lijn Cornelisstraat 212C Middelharnis) who, during the Chinese robbery on the Dutch commandopostm, escaped to death by the Disease of the Chinese soldier who wanted to shoot him. Hobbel hit him and could flee. March 14, 1951. Korea

01/01/1950. Dª María de las Mercedes in a hunting scene.

Hollywood, California: c. 1935 A serious looking woman sitting down and holding a rifle.

November 1936. Spanish Civil War. A republican army soldier throwing a bomb with his left hand.

Enlisted Men learning Close Order Drill, Air Service Command, Daniel Field, Georgia, USA, Jack Delano, U.S. Office of War Information, July 1943

12/31/1936. In a Free Hour, This Artillery Officer Repairs His Gaiters.

Anefo photo collection. A.M. Van der Horst,. war correspondent. 1944

Anefo photo collection. Mn Merchant Navy / Anefo London series. Kanonnier looks vizier on-board gun. {1940-1945}

12/31/1939. The famous maquis guerrilla, Francisco Sabater Llopart, number one enemy of the Franco regime.

DA-SN-84-07973. Subject Operation/Series: BRIMFROST '83 Base: Fort Richardson State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Anefo photo collection. Finland. Finnish Russian border; Border post with soldiers at Imatra. July 5, 1967. Finland, Imatra

1St Lt. Maurice G. Vaughn, Hollywood, Calif., Pilot With The 307Th Fighter Squadron, Poses With Flight Equipment At Nettuno, Italy. 2 Feb. 1944.

SA chapel. Hoffmann Photographs 1933 Adolf Hitler's official photographer, and a Nazi politician and publisher, who was a member of Hitler's intimate circle.

Army soldier reading a letter, smiling

Highest in an Airplane New World's Altitude Record by British R.A.F.:Final adjustments being made to squadron leader sealed oxygen flying suit before his record breaking ascent. The Air Ministry announced the record this evening September 29.Squadron Leader F. R. D. Swain of the Royal Air Force made a new world's altitude record for Airplanes of 49,967 feet here today. He made the record in a Bristol Monoplane. the largest single-seater ever constructed. He wore a specially constructed sealed oxygen flying suit, in which free movement for the controls was possible. October 19, 1936. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).

Second World War. Netherlands under German crew. Portrait of a member of the German Wehrmacht with steel helmet in dunes on the North Sea (probably at The Hague)

Army boots after the weaver had completed a record ***** of 146 miles in 11 days to Bonegilla camp Victoria. October 22, 1940.

The Royal Navy in 1942 A sailor on watch, wearing a duffle coat, steel helmet and holding a pair of binoculars. A 2 pdr 'pom-pom' naval anti-aircraft gun is in the foreground. Correction: The guns are a quadruple anti-aircraft mounting of Vickers .5-inch machine gun.

"An old acquaintance among the Cochin hunters - Guard of the Debernardi Concession". Cochin here refers to Cochinchina, the former name used by the French for the southernmost part of Vietnam, when it was ruled by France as part of French Indochina. Date: circa 1910s

Dan White, Gary Cooper, Arthur Hunnicutt, Richard Webb, on-set of the western film, "Distant Drums", Warner Bros., 1951

07/22/1936. A Militia Upon Her Arrival In Toledo.

The ROKs Have a Fighting Navy -- With a Navy boat as a backdrop, this ROK Navy bandsmen works cut a difficult passage on his flute.The Republic of Korea has a Navy of approximately 50 ships and ten thousand officers and men. Whatever the ROKs lack in numbers they more than make up for in fighting spirit. To the ROKs falls the lion's share of the close inshore patrol and blockade of the long Korean coastline, a job that calls for their shallow draft craft and their aggressive sailors. Commando and behind-the-lines operations are a day in and day out job of the ROK Navy and Marine Corps. June 18, 1951. (Photo by "Official U.S. Navy Photograph").

DN-SN-90-00268. Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Photos with the article 'The Status Quo line' in the magazine Weapon Budders. Skipper 'Korporaal Johan Wijnen from Overschie is already feeling well at home on the water of the Ashan River and knows how to find all obstacles and shows as well as on the Maas, which he fern many years. September 28, 1948. Indonesia, Java, Dutch East Indies

The Second Indochina War, known in America as the Vietnam War, was a Cold War era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the U. S. and other anti-communist nations. The U. S. government viewed involvement in the war as a way to prevent a communist takeover of South Vietnam and part of their wider strategy of containment. The North Vietnamese government viewed the war as a colonial war, fought initially against France, backed by the U. S. , and later against South Vietnam, which it regarded as a U. S. puppet state. U. S. military advisors arrived beginning in 1950. U. S. involvement escalated in the early 1960s, with U. S. troop levels tripling in 1961 and tripling again in 1962. U. S. combat units were deployed beginning in 1965. Operations

Sharp shooter

The chaplain of the NDVN, Father van den Vrande, on the way to a company for the tenders of the Holy Mass. Pater v.d. Vranden on the way to a Cion for tagging h. miss (lodge p'yong dong ni series)

Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.

World War two, US anti-aircraft emplacement outside Bastogne, Belgium 1942

Second World War. Front pictures. Soviet Union. Relatives of the German Wehrmacht while reading the "East Front

Untitled black-and-white negatives

Anefo photo collection. Scenes from the film "together". German milley with chain with cross. March 22, 1946

Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.

Sharp shooter (EV007833_H)

Col. C.B. Winders i.e, Winder

Artwork: "CW2 Reese Talks With a Sergeant". Artist: Peter G. Varisano. Catalog Number: 1.25.91, US Army Art Collection. Country: Unknown

The Boy Scouts Association in Britain, 1914-1918

Sitting Crow Stalks The Sussex Downs -- 'Redskin' in full Indian hunting dress stalking on the Sussex Downs in 17 years old Colin Taylor of Brighton. For Colin, Red Indians are not just characters to impersonate for a game. He is an authority Knowing their sign language and the history and customs of their tribes and even practices the ancient war dances on the Downs near his home. Colin has formed an extensive collection of Red Indian relics, including war bonnets, leather shirts and leggings a

DN-SN-85-02087. Subject Operation/Series: URGENT FURY Base: Grenville Country: Grenada (GRD)

Just Kidding. Coast Guard combat photographer G. J. Wehrle, of 150 West Wildey Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, tried to bring this young goat aboard ship for a mascot, but the kidlet refused to leave mama and so is still roaming the Okinawa landscape. Wehrle participated in the landing operations on this Jap stronghold while serving aboard a Coast Guard-manned invasion ship.

GDR, Berlin, 22, 04. 1990, border strip between the walls near Frohnau, Trabant with border guards, dog

This Italian sprang out of a ditch, ***** and gave himself up. He brought a little ***** him. Another volunteer. An Italian prisoner comes forward to give himself up during the advance on Bardia. March 02, 1942.

Artwork: "Bomber Pilot at Plane Controls" Artist: Schmitz-Westerholt. Country: Unknown

COL James M. Mead, commander of the 32nd Marine Amphibious Unit, watches as U.S. Marines come ashore in amphibious vehicles. U.S. Marines have been assigned to Lebanon as part of a multinational peacekeeping force after a confrontation between Israeli forces and the Palestine Liberation Organization. Base: Beirut Country: Lebanon (LBN)

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Award for Lieutenant Colonel Th.J.A. I-11 R.I boers Tjimahi (at Bandoeng). Lieutenant colonel th.j.a. BOERS SALUES. April 1947. Bandung, Cimahi, Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Gas Mask Drill. This image depicts a Coast Guardsmen in a gas mask.

Jose Buenaventura Durruti Dumange (14 July 1896 20 November 1936) was a central figure of Spanish anarchism during the period leading up to and including the Spanish Civil War. Anarchism has historically gained more support and influence in Spain than anywhere else, especially before Francisco Franco's victory in the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939. There were several variants of anarchism in Spain: expropriative anarchism in the period leading up to the conflict, the peasant anarchism in the countryside of Andalusia; urban anarcho-syndicalism in Catalonia, particularly its capital Barcelona.

The enclosed picture of Mr. Charles Coburn, noted character actor who recently appeared in the 20th Century-Fox picture, "Everybody Does It" with Linda Darnell and Paul Douglas, is sent to you at the request of Mr. Harold Heffernan, N.A.N.A., to accompany his of July 24th. August 24, 1949.

Second World War. Front pictures. Soviet Union. Relatives of the German Wehrmacht while reading the "East Front

Uniforms / equipment clothing at the Royal Air Force Anno 1967.Soldate fireman with white woolen overall and fire brigade helmet.

RICHARD WIDMARK in THE FROGMEN (1951), directed by LLOYD BACON.

Making it Easier For The Army -- Men trying out a pneumatic drill and spade during gas drill. The 49th (West Riding) divisional Royal engineers stationed at Somme Barracks, Sheffield, is one of the first territorial units to be issued with Pneumatic drills, spades and saws. The equipment, which is similar to the Pneumatic tools used in road repairs, is of the very latest design, and will be used for such work as bridge demolition, mining, and heavy timber cutting.March 04, 1938. (Photo by Keystone).

1940S Man Soldier Army Bugler In Uniform Blowing Bugle

The Second Boer War, 1899-1902 Two soldiers of one of the British regiments posing outside their tent.

With Wingate's Guerillas Behind The Japanese Lines: Major Bernard Ferguson, Black Watch, who led one of the "Chindits" columns of the Jungle Penetration Force. Under the command of Brigadier Charles Orde Wingate, a small force of British soldiers recently carried out a successful expedition in Burma. After an absence of three months they returned to the British lines with valuable information regarding the Japanese dispositions and defenses. July 7, 1943.

Bandages from kit of British Dog

Portrait of Pfc. Cecil D. Crago

She Fights With Partisan Compatriots Holding a machine gun, this school teacher fights with Italian Guerrillas against Germans and Fascist Italians on the French-Italian Border. January 06, 1945. (Photo by Associated Press Photo)

Civilian Conservation Corps - Montana. Photographs Relating to National Forests, Resource Management Practices, Personnel, and Cultural and Economic History

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