Explore Our WWII Photo Collection!

What’s in the Book?

The photographs in World War II Historical Photos were taken during some of the battles and other events that occurred in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Although the photographer is not known, the book preserves what he saw and experienced at Pacific islands, during battles, and the people he encountered. (See About for more on how the photos arrived at the Veteran Services Office in Twin Falls Idaho.)

The pictures depict many phases of battles as troops and equipment were moved into islands in the Pacific and the challenges they had to overcome to be successful.

The People chapter consists of candid photos of soldiers and sailors at recreation as well as a series of candid shots of local people. The photos of local people were taken in a variety of countries. The photos of people had no identification, but were probably taken in China, Japan, the Philippines, and in the tropical islands.

The collection also included several hundred loose photos. Some were of battles and other showed ships, planes and various landscapes.

The book is a tribute to veterans and an important record of the realities of war. The photos and text remind future generations that war is horrid and should be avoided whenever possible. We might wish otherwise, but war is sometimes the price of freedom.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Guam (Dec 1941; July–Aug 1944)

Philippines, Santo Tomas Prison (Dec 1941–Feb 1945)

Japan (Dec 1941–Aug 1945)

China (1941–1945)

Guadalcanal, Gavutu Beach (Aug 1942–Feb 1943)

New Georgia (Mar–Aug 1943)

Tarawa, Other Battle Scenes (Nov 1943)

Cape Gloucester (Dec 1943–Jan 1944)

Bougainville, Green Island (Nov 1943–Aug 1945)

Marshall Islands (Jan–Feb 1944)

Saipan, Garapan (June–July 1944)

Normandy (June 1944)

Peleliu (Sept–Nov 1944)

Iwo Jima (Feb–Mar 1945)

Okinawa, Naha City (Apr–Jun 1945)

Omori Prisoner Rescue (Aug 29, 1945)

Japanese Surrender (Sept & Dec 1945)

People, Landscapes, Planes, Ships and Boats,


Structures

GUAM

Guam, an American territory in the Marianas Islands, experienced two major battles during World War II. The first battle occurred on December 8, 1941, just hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when Japanese forces invaded the island. Guam fell quickly on 10 December after a brief but fierce resistance. The Japanese occupied the island until the Second Battle of Guam in 1944.

The second and more extensive battle took place in July-August 1944 as part of the broader American offensive in the Marianas.

GUADALCANAL

Guadalcanal figured prominently in the South Pacific campaign.

The Guadalcanal campaign was an Allied offensive against forces of the Empire of Japan in the Solomon Islands. It was fought between 7 August 1942 and 9 February 1943, and involved major land and naval battles on and surrounding the island of Guadalcanal. The battle was strategically important when Japanese forces began constructing an airfield there that could threaten Allied supply lines to Australia.

PLANES

Grumman J2F Duck, an amphibious biplane used by the United States Navy, Marine Corps, Army Air Forces, and Coast Guard during World War II. The image shows the aircraft being recovered by a crane from the water, which was a common procedure for seaplanes launched from ships.
Boeing 314 Clipper, used by Pan American Airways (PAA) System, one of the most famous commercial long-range flying boats of the late 1930s and early 1940s. It had an unprecedented range and was capable of flying long-haul routes. It was used by PanAm for luxury transoceanic flights. The Clippers played a crucial role in World War II, being used for military troop and cargo transport by the U.S. government.
Douglas A-20 Havoc, a World War II-era light bomber and attack aircraft used by the United States and Allied forces. The image shows an A-20 Havoc on fire, likely after being hit by enemy fire or flak.
It was designed by Douglas Aircraft Company, first flown in 1938, and widely used in WWII. It operated in various roles: light bomber, attack aircraft, night fighter, and reconnaissance plane.