Random Rare Photos From World War II (10 items)

(#8) Aleksandra Samusenko, A Female Tank Commander

Aleksandra Samusenko was one of the only female tank officers of the Soviet Armed Forces and served as a tank commander from 1943-1944.

Samusenko rose to fame both for her heroic performance during the Battle of Kursk and for leading her forces out of an ambush when her commander fell during a later battle.
(#6) The Sky Over The United Kingdom After A 1940 Battle

This photo was taken in the United Kingdom in 1940 and shows the city skies after an air fight between British and German pilots.
(#7) The Soviet Flag Being Raised Over Berlin

On May 2, 1945, Soviet soldiers raised their flag over the Reichstag in Berlin. The victory was an important one for many Soviet soldiers, who considered the building a symbol of their enemy.
(#2) A POW Stares Defiantly At Hitler's Right-Hand Man

This photo was taken in August 1941 when Hitler's right-hand man, Heinrich Himmler, visited a Shirokaya Street POW camp in Minsk, USSR.
(#3) The Architect Of Auschwitz Right Before He Met His End

Rudolf Hoess was the architect and commander of Auschwitz concentration camp, where thousands lost their lives.
(#1) An Abandoned Boy Sitting Amid The Ruins Of His London Home

An abandoned boy sits clutching a stuffed animal amid the ruins that used to be his London home. This image was captured by Toni Frissell after a German air raid in 1945.