16 year old German soldier crying after being captured by the Allies, 1945

 

This image of Hans-Georg Henke shows not only the pain of war, but the terror that comes with being a soldier. As hardened as battle renders someone, inside they’re frightened that the next mortar shell has their name on it.

16 is far too young to be drafted into battle, but it’s the only thing that Henke could do to take care of his mother. He joined the Luftwaffe when he was 15 and served in the anti-air squad.

Varying stories about Henke claim that he was either upset that he was captured by American forces, or that he was having a panic attack, but either way it’s clear that he was far too young to deal with the enormity of the situation.

A Women Air Force Service Pilot during World War 2

 Now this is a cool shot. During World War II, the WASPs (that’s Women Airforce Service Pilots) were tasked with taking noncombat military flights, making them the first women to take charge of U.S. military aircraft. There were about 1,100 of them in all.

The WASPs logged more than 60 million miles in the skky behind every possible military aircraft. They were living proof that women can do everything that men can - and look better doing it.

After England insured a victory over Germany in December 1944 the WASP program was dismantled, but people never forgot the importance that these women played in the final World War.

Flight Sergeant James Hyde with mascot dog "Dingo." Hyde was killed when his Spitfire was shot down by German fighters near Nijmegen, Holland, on 25 September 1944

 To be a pilot during wartime is to look death in the face and dare it to give you a try. It’s not a task for the faint a heart, and it’s one of those positions that almost insures loss of life or at the very least an injury.

Sergeant James Hyde gave his life fighting for freedom during World War II, and even if you ignore the fact that he had to leave his little doggo buddy in the care of someone else it’s sad to think that his family was never able to see him again. The knowledge that Hyde is forever a war hero must have brought some solace, but it’s still heartbreaking to think about all the men we lost during such an awful war.