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WW2 original color photos

Micawber

Well-Known Member

I believe that's the Collins Foundation 909 replica again...

Nine-O-Nine-a-960x600.jpg
 

Kermit3D

Well-Known Member
Call me a skeptic, but this looks more than a little posed to me.

"C'mere kids, have a Hershey bar."

The pose may seem a bit artificial, but the ruins are unfortunately not.
These kids are not actors, their story is now known and they lost part of their family a few weeks earlier. Not sure if a chocolate bar will be enough to erase the trauma.

This is the city of Saint-Lô in August 1944.
The American bombing in June resulted in 352 civilian deaths. Followed by a German artillery shelling... the result is a city 90% destroyed. I am not putting the Americans on trial, especially since it was they who liberated the city (many young Americans died) and it was a necessary evil. But it is a fact that should not be neglected.

This video gives an idea of the extent of the damage.

 
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Chandler

Well-Known Member
The pose may seem a bit artificial, but the ruins are unfortunately not.
These kids are not actors, their story is now known and they lost part of their family a few weeks earlier. Not sure if a chocolate bar will be enough to erase the trauma.
Oh, in no way did I think a candy bar would erase any trauma -- the whole composition just looks rather pandering -- sort of taking advantage of the kids for a shot. Probably in a spot they'd never really be without "help."

And yes, I'm quite familiar with the war history of St. Lo and the "breakout." Some major SNAFUs all around.
 

Kermit3D

Well-Known Member
Oh, in no way did I think a candy bar would erase any trauma -- the whole composition just looks rather pandering -- sort of taking advantage of the kids for a shot. Probably in a spot they'd never really be without "help."

And yes, I'm quite familiar with the war history of St. Lo and the "breakout." Some major SNAFUs all around.
Of course I wasn't suggesting that you were saying that the chocolate bar would erase the trauma. Just a general comment that I made awkwardly. So sorry if it was misunderstood.
I was mainly referring to the story around this photo.
 

Chandler

Well-Known Member
Of course I wasn't suggesting that you were saying that the chocolate bar would erase the trauma. Just a general comment that I made awkwardly. So sorry if it was misunderstood.
Not at all -- and I hope I didn't sound as callous as I may have. I was sniping more at the photographer than the kids.
 
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