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

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

1. A Frenchwoman is shaved bald for ties with the Nazis

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 bald. This photo, taken on August 29, 1944 in the city of Montelimar, perpetuates the shaving of a girl who had the imprudence to get close to the Germans.

2. The last photo of the raft from the Armidale

On December 1, 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 a few survivors managed to build a raft from the remains of rescue boats. This photo was taken from a maritime patrol aircraft (flying boat) "Catalina" on December 8, a week after the death of the "Armidale". Due to high storm waves, the Catalina was unable to land and help 20 inhabitants of the raft that day. He was never seen again.

3. 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 amount of work in the rear - yes, anyone, even a circus elephant. Actually, the photo shows how an elephant from the circus of the Amar brothers plows in occupied France in 1941.

4. 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 can't be more revealing.

5. SS men pray to Allah

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

6. A Russian intelligence officer laughs before being shot

The Soviet intelligence officer smiles at the camera, although 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.

7. "Flying tigers" in the sky over China

During the war, the United States helped China as much as they could. For example, in 1941-1942, a volunteer military air unit called "Flying Tigers" fought on the side of China. 99 Curtis R-40 aircraft were sent to China to form a unit, but the Chinese pilots refused to master them, saying that they still could not be compared with the Japanese Zero. Then American volunteers started joining the Flying Tigers. The Tigers were divided into three squadrons: "Adam and Eve", "Hell's Angels" and "Panda Bears". Specifically in the photo - "Hells Angels" in 1942.

8. The staff of Auschwitz is resting

And in this photo we see how the service staff of the largest Nazi death camp is having fun - just like ordinary people. It's 1942.

9. 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.