20 World War II Photos That You Won't See In History Books

What crosses your mind when you think of World War II? Many pictures show us the cruelty and inhumanity of war. These WWII photos below show other stories that happened during wartime that you rarely see.

1. Children Heal Wounds

Wars can take the brightness from human hearts, but thankfully these Dutch soldiers had these little girls to their side at a traditional dance ceremony. They definitely brought smiles and warmth. 

2. Kitten Melts Hearts

Humans have always been cat's servants, wherever and whenever. However, a cat can quickly melt a human heart, even if it doesn't do anything. Just as in this picture, the kitten is able to  make the sailors laugh by simply languidly lying on its bed.

3. Female Tank Commander

Not only men fought bravely in WWII. Soviet tank commander Aleksandra Samusenko was respected because she heroically commanded her tank crew in an escape from a deadly ambush in the Battle of Kursk.

4. Drink With Me

After a battle is won, there is nothing more pleasant than a beer with your comrades. This is exactly what Canadian soldiers did after saving Belgium from the Axis occupation.

5. Burning Stars

Thinking of a romantic starry night? Well, there were no stars in this picture. Instead you are seeing American soldiers' tents with burned holes after a German artillery shelling.

6. Rip The Rescue Dog

Thinking that puppy is not of much use in a mission? The little rescue dog "Rip" had a key role in locating the victims of a bombing raid in Britain.

7. Polar Bear Feeding

War is cruel, but most people are warmhearted. At least these Russian tank soldiers who were feeding the polar bears were kind.

8. War Photographers

The photo is filled with warm colors. Five photographers were getting ready to board a plane heading to the battlefield in order to document the magnificent moments of World War II.

9. Military Draft

After the US enacted the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, all men from 18 to 45 had to register for the military draft. The photo recorded the recruited soldiers' daily training.

10. The Significant D-Day

D-Day is a day that is well remembered. The photo was taken after the Allies freed France and captured the surrendering German soldiers.

11. Money Is Worthless

Can you imagine a day when all money becomes worthless? It was the day when Germany experienced hyperinflation, the result of their crimes in the war. Money was no use at all. 

12. When Bad News Came

Nothing hurts more than losing your home. This Parisian man would never forget the day when he heard the news of his hometown falling under Nazi control. 

13. Children With Gas Masks

"The Blitz" bombing raids in Great Britain were bad enough, but there was something that worried the government even more. They were concerned that the Luftwaffe bombing raids might include poisonous gas, so they had their residents, especially children, wear gas masks. 

14. Hermann Goering's Gallery

Invaders often looted art pieces. In the photo, the Allies had just discovered a vast quantity of stolen artworks and artifacts carefully "collected" by Nazi officer Hermann Goering.

15. Napping Anywhere

Sleeping is a great luxury for soldiers, so they are hardly fussy about where and when to sleep. Just like the RAF pilot in the photo, he could easily fall asleep on a "bed" made by 2 chairs.

16. Haircut In The Desert

During WWII, many Canadian soldiers lived and fought for Great Britain in North Africa. The Canadian pilot in the photo is seen having quite a unique haircut in the Tunisian desert. 

17. Crossing Egyptian Airspace

North Africa was one of the hotspots during WWII. Here we surprisingly see an Allied plane flying above central Egypt. 

18. Arming The Planes

Within two years of its founding, the Women's Royal Navy Service had become a mainstay of the British air army. In this photo, the women were arming a plane for an attack mission. 

19. Bombed Library 

Even if English residents were used to nightly bombing, avid readers couldn't bear the fact that their beloved library had been torn apart.

20. Moscow's Night

When the war finally came to an end, Moscow was determined to celebrate the victory. In Red Square, fireworks and celebrations welcomed peacetime as well as serving as a way to mourn the dead.