Have you ever wondered what Europe looked like before or during the Second World War (WWII)? Take a look at our “before and after” or “then and now” images and see what the war did to the people, the monuments and the landscapes.
Head over to our site for an interactive version of each image and many, many more!
Let us know what you think about the images below in the comments
More info: re.photos
#21 View From The Castle Of Caen On The Destroyed City
June 1944.
Before photo: A. Grimm (Bundesarchiv), after photo: Lena.
Before photo: A. Grimm (Bundesarchiv), after photo: Lena.
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29points
#22 Siege Of Leningrad
The school building destroyed by the Nazi bombing. 1941.
Before photo: Unknown author, after photo: Sergey Larenkov.
Before photo: Unknown author, after photo: Sergey Larenkov.
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27points
#23 The Battle Of Porta San Paolo, Rome
On 10 September 1943, Porta San Paolo was the scene of the last attempt by the Italian army to avoid the German occupation of Rome
On the evening of the 9th, the 21st Infantry Division "Granatieri di Sardegna" moved towards the center, engaging in fierce fighting on the Via Laurentina (Tre Fontane locality), around the Exposition Hill (current EUR district) and Forte Ostiense. The German troops marched on the Via Ostiense, towards the heart of Rome.
Despite the overwhelming numerical superiority and armament of the enemy, the walls of Porta San Paolo became a defensive bulwark of resistance, protected by barricades and vehicle carcasses. The grenadiers also fought here with courage, along with the numerous civilians.
Before photo: ComunediRoma, after photo: StuartSW6.
On the evening of the 9th, the 21st Infantry Division "Granatieri di Sardegna" moved towards the center, engaging in fierce fighting on the Via Laurentina (Tre Fontane locality), around the Exposition Hill (current EUR district) and Forte Ostiense. The German troops marched on the Via Ostiense, towards the heart of Rome.
Despite the overwhelming numerical superiority and armament of the enemy, the walls of Porta San Paolo became a defensive bulwark of resistance, protected by barricades and vehicle carcasses. The grenadiers also fought here with courage, along with the numerous civilians.
Before photo: ComunediRoma, after photo: StuartSW6.
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27points
#24 San Lorenzo, Rome After The Bombing
San Lorenzo after the bombing in 1943, Princess Marie-José inspecting the damage.
Before photo: Instituto Luce, after photo: GoogleMaps.
Before photo: Instituto Luce, after photo: GoogleMaps.
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26points
#25 Wehrmacht Soldiers In Schagen
Wehrmacht Soldiers In the city of Schagen in The Netherlands. 1940.
Before photo: Foto Niestadt, after photo: Regionaal Archief Alkmaar.
Before photo: Foto Niestadt, after photo: Regionaal Archief Alkmaar.
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26points
#26 Part Of Lodz City Center
Aerial shot of Lodz made at the end of WW2 (1942) compared with Google Earth's view from 2017.
Before photo: Unknown author, after photo: Google Earth.
Before photo: Unknown author, after photo: Google Earth.
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25points
#27 Old Bunker Alkmaar Flower Shop
An old bunker is now used as a plant shop. Old Photo is taken in 1945, the new one in 2018.
Before photo: Unknown author, after photo: Regionaal Archief Alkmaar.
Before photo: Unknown author, after photo: Regionaal Archief Alkmaar.
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24points
#28 Battle Of Rome, Porta San Paolo
September 9th, 1943.
Before photo: LaRepubblica, after photo: StuartSW6.
Before photo: LaRepubblica, after photo: StuartSW6.
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23points
#29 Horses Bring Food To Civilians Hidden In The Abbey
After parts of the city have been liberated by the Allies, horse carts bring food to those who took refuge in the Abbey of Saint-Étienne. 1944, July 10th.
Before photo: National Archives Canada, after photo: Lena.
Before photo: National Archives Canada, after photo: Lena.
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22points
#30 Alkmaar Mobilization Dutch Soldiers
Mobilization Dutch soldiers before the "Ambachtsschool" in Alkmaar, The Netherlands. 1939.
Before photo: Unknown author, after photo: Regionaal Archief Alkmaar.
Before photo: Unknown author, after photo: Regionaal Archief Alkmaar.
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20points
