Location, location, location.When France surrendered to Germany in June 1940, Hitler wanted to rub their noses in it. An old railway carriage did the trick. Continue reading
World War Two Photographs
“I don’t think the camera lies.” Susan Sontag, writer.
“In one way or another, the camera always lies.” Norman Davies, historian.
“Under Stalin’s regime…photographs lied.” Stephen F. Cohen, historian.
“Photographs can’t do the moral or the intellectual work for us. But they can start us on our way.” Susan Sontag.
Shostakovich’s Starvation SymphonyA Red Army soldier purchases a ticket for the historic – in some ways, miraculous – performance of Shostakovich’s Seventh – the “Leningrad.” At the time, cats – being edible – were more valuable than roubles. Continue reading
D-Day’s WheelsLanding craft for Operation Overlord carried troops, tanks, guns, trucks, jeeps. and–bicycles and spare tires and wheels. Continue reading
Into the RhinelandGerman troops remilitarized the Rhineland on 7 March 1936, an act of military bravado that was just that – an act. Hitler took a big gamble. He won.
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Wartime Pillboxes, Peacetime BritainBuilt to withstand the ravages of war, concrete pillboxes also defy time. Many are still standing. Continue reading
Hitler in Paris (1)This photograph “shocked the world”, according to the small print above the title of this slim volume by Don Nardo. As well it might: Hitler in Paris was the mother of all photo ops. Continue reading
Hitler in Paris (2)If they look, smell and waddle like generals, they must be generals – unless they are architects and sculptors and who knows what else. Continue reading
Hessy Taft: Perfect Aryan Child!When Hessy Levinson was chosen (possibly by Josef Goebbels) as Germany’s most beautiful Aryan child, her parents were more scared than proud. This beauty queen was a time bomb. Continue reading