Liberation of Europe 1944-1945
The Photographers who Captured History from D-Day to Berlin
The Second World War presented a huge range of challenges to press photography both in terms of its execution and getting the results in print. Life on the home front was the main subject until the invasion of France changed everything in 1944.
Photographers from The Times were part of a talented group who were there to capture the momentous events taking place from the moment the troops stepped ashore, as the Allies fought their way from the D-Day beaches all the way to Berlin. They captured thousands of images of the fighting and its aftermath: bombed-out towns, tanks and the inevitable human death toll, but also troops moving through a scarred landscape, the civilian population in joy and fear, and the daily activities of the soldiers themselves. They were on hand to witness the surrender of German commanders and some of their subsequent suicides, and also when King George VI made history as the first monarch since Henry V to confer knighthoods on the battlefield.
It is an extraordinary archive, yet very few of the images were published, either at the time or since. Mark Barnes, a librarian at The Times, has painstakingly reconstructed the archive over a period of many years, piecing together the journeys these pioneering photographers, masters of their craft, made across Europe.
"The Liberation of Europe", containing over 400 images, not only gives a succinct and expert overview of the North West Europe campaign, but also presents world history on a grand scale and is essential reading for everyone interested in World War II and the history of Europe.
- Features over 400 photographs, most unpublished
- Succinct and accessible text giving an overview of how Europe was liberated
Reviews
"...Mark Barnes, a librarian at The Times, has taken on the mammoth job of compiling these photographs from The Times photo archives to create an incredible photographic history of the campaign from D-Day to Berlin...This is simply a must-have for anyone interested in The Second World War" – Best of WW2
"Whether or not one prefers to eschew text and actual reading in order to just look at the pictures, this volume is recommended" – New York Journal of Books
"This is a beautifully produced book full of evocative images" – Casemate Journal – Fortress Study Group
"Each photograph carries a detailed caption, and the author has done a remarkable job gathering together these images. An excellent book in which the pictures tell the story" – Guards Magazine
"The images in this book may be static but they still have the power to move" – History of War Magazine
"A highly interesting volume" – MWBG Richard Baber
"'The Liberation of Europe' is a considerable volume, containing 400 images, many of which have been rarely seen, but the key strength is the work Mark Barnes has put in to ensure the captions are intelligent, accurate, and interesting – not an easy task when often the information was scant. This is an excellent addition to the photographic history of the Second World War, and if you have an interest in the NW Europe campaign of 1944-45, I would strongly recommend it" – Recollections of World War II
"Is essential reading for everyone interested in World War II and the history of Europe...and illustrates the enormity of war and the burgeoning relief of liberation in a way that mere words cannot achieve. Stunning" – Books Monthly
"All in all a great collection of photos which have until now remained hidden away in archives and some of the content is ideal for modellers looking for some extra detail references" – Military Model Scene
"Barnes's book is clearly a labour of love, a product of painstaking work trawling though archives... that present a striking pictorial tour of the events of the war's final year" – All About History
"This is an excellent book of photos documenting the campaign across western Europe from the invasion to the eventual victory over Nazi Germany. The photos chosen show the various aspect of this extremely well. Highly recommended" – Britmodeller.com
"Lots of details for the model-maker here. Altogether an excellent book well worth the asking price" – Scale Military Modeller International
"'The Liberation of Europe', containing over 400 images, not only gives a succinct and expert overview of the North West Europe campaign, but also presents world history on a grand scale and is essential reading for everyone interested in World War II and the history of Europe" – PhotoArchiveNews
"This work is authoritative, informative, visually impressive and an important addition to our Second World War literature. As such it should appeal to a wide and diverse readership and is thoroughly recommended" – David J. A. Stone, British military historian, author and former soldier
