Soviet intelligence officer laughs before being shot — and other amazing photos of the Second World War

We offer you to remember the Second World War with the help of nine amazing photos. Some may even seem like perfectly ordinary shots from the past, if not for the story behind them.

French woman gets shaved for Nazi connections

After the liberation of France from the invaders, the locals decided to deal with their own — and punish the collaborators who managed to find a common language with the Germans. As a result, about ten thousand Frenchmen, mostly women, experienced the power of popular anger. The most popular punishment was shaving the guilty head. This photo, taken on August 29, 1944 in the city of Montelimar, commemorates the shaving of a girl who had the temerity to get close to the Germans.

The last photo of the raft from " Armidale»

On 1 December 1942, off the coast of East Timor, Japanese fighters attacked the Australian Navy patrol ship Armidale. Most of the crew died along with the ship, and the few survivors managed to build a raft from the remains of the rescue boats. This photo was taken from the sea patrol plane (flying boat) "Catalina" on December 8, a week after the death of the "Armidale". Due to high storm surges, the Catalina was unable to land and help the 20 occupants of the raft that day. He was never seen again.

An elephant plows instead of a horse

Not only people are called to war, but also horses. And someone has to do a horse's load of work in the rear — anyone, even a circus elephant. Actually, the photo shows an elephant from the Amar brothers circus plowing in occupied France in 1941.

Execution of General Dostler

German infantry general Anton Dostler was executed by the Americans in the Italian province of Caserta on charges of killing 15 soldiers of an American sabotage group. His execution, which took place on December 1, 1945, was carefully documented both in photos and on film. It couldn't be more revealing.

SS men pray to Allah

The 13th SS Mountain Division "Hanjar" was formed in 1943, two years after the capture of Sarajevo by the Germans and the proclamation of the puppet Independent State of Croatia. The division was formed from Bosnian Muslim volunteers and at its best reached a strength of up to 26,000 people.

Russian intelligence officer laughs before being shot

The Soviet intelligence officer smiles at the camera, even though he knows that in a second a Finnish officer will shoot him. The photo was taken in the snow-covered forest of Eastern Karelia in November 1942, but was first made public by the Finnish Ministry of Defense only in 2006. During the Second World War, it was classified because the Finnish government was afraid that the photo could be used for the benefit of Soviet propaganda.

"Flying tigers" in the sky over China

During the war, the US helped China as much as it could. For example, in 1941-1942, a volunteer air force unit called the Flying Tigers fought on the side of China. To form the unit, 99 Curtis P‑40 aircraft were sent to China, but the Chinese pilots refused to master them, saying that they still do not compare with the Japanese Zero. Then American volunteers started joining the Flying Tigers. The Tigers were divided into three squadrons: the Adams and Eves, the Hells Angels, and the Panda Bears. Specifically in the photo — "Hell's Angels" in 1942.

Auschwitz staff resting

And in this photo, we can see how the service staff of the largest Nazi death camp is having fun - just like ordinary people. The year is 1942.

Victory Night

At 2: 10 a.m. on May 9, announcer Yuri Levitan read out the Act of Military Surrender of Nazi Germany. In the next few hours, thousands of people rushed to Red Square, where the festive fireworks began. It was the happiest crowd in history.