World

‘Before and After D-Day’: See LIFE Magazine’s Rare, ‘Masterfully Restored’ Color Photographs

On its 68th anniversary, many are remembering the storming of the beaches of Normandy by 160,000 Allied soldiers. Calling to mind iconic films like “Saving Private Ryan” and stunning images of troops wading through the water or parachuting from the sky, many are well aware that more than 9,000 of these men were killed on D-Day in France when troops bravely stormed the beaches of Normandy.

(Related: June 6, 1944: Remembering D-Day)

LIFE Magazine has pulled together images — in color — from before and after the invasion, offering a different perspective on what the events surrounding D-Day looked like.

(Related: Remembering the significance of D-Day)

The photographs by the magazine’s Frank Scherschel, who died in 1981, were “masterfully restored” and many had never before been published in the magazine itself.

Scherschel’s portrayal of the events surrounding D-Day shows more than just the storming of the beach. He captures “American troops training in small English towns; the French countryside, implausibly lush after the spectral landscape of the beachheads; the reception GIs enjoyed en route to the capital; the jubilant liberation of Paris itself.”

Here are a few of those images:

LIFE Magazine Presents Frank Scherschels Photographs Before and After D Day in 1944

Troops and civilians sitting on a bridge over the River Thames. (Photo: Frank Scherschel/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image)

LIFE Magazine Presents Frank Scherschels Photographs Before and After D Day in 1944

Machine gun in France. (Photo: Frank Scherschel/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image)

LIFE Magazine Presents Frank Scherschels Photographs Before and After D Day in 1944

Ruined homes in France. (Photo: Frank Scherschel/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image)

LIFE Magazine Presents Frank Scherschels Photographs Before and After D Day in 1944

Captured German troops. (Photo: Frank Scherschel/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image)

LIFE Magazine Presents Frank Scherschels Photographs Before and After D Day in 1944

After Liberation Day in August 1944. (Photo: Frank Scherschel/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image)

LIFE Magazine Presents Frank Scherschels Photographs Before and After D Day in 1944

Celebration liberation. (Photo: Frank Scherschel/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image)

To put the rarity of color photos of this historic event into context, color photography, although available in the 1940s, only really became common in the 1960s. Even then though, given its price, it was largely reserved for special occasions.

Find more of Scherschel’s images in LIFE here.

The U.S. Army‘s website also puts together what Kenneth Kesner for Alabama’s Huntsville Times calls “online museums of sacrifice and history.” Check out its website documenting D-Day here for more photographs, maps, posters and audio.

Watch this D-Day the video from the Army’s website:

(H/T: Yahoo! News)

This story has been updated to correct numbers. 

Comments (101)

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  • moreteaplease
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 5:45pm

    @GODZDRL247,

    I remember reading about that. That was downright heartbreaking.

    I’m 47 ( adopted to parents with teen kids already when I was 5 ) and I can remember my grandfather telling us about his time in WW 1 as a machine gunner. He told us about how he would sweep them down as they charged towards him.
    He could never get through a whole story without breaking down because he said those he killed…he didn’t know them, they did nothing to him, they were just following someones orders like he was. They were all just kids. He said the first time you see a man’s eyes go cold before he hits the ground, you are never the same person afterwards.

    I think the reason the younger generation has lost respect for their elders is because they are not taught that at home anymore. My father made sure we understood what it meant. I guess they feel it makes them look weak idk. Maybe if they just sit and listen sometimes they would see things differently.

    I always loved sitting in the barber shop listening to the older guys tell stories about their younger days. I learned a lot like that.

    Report Post » moreteaplease  
    • Godzgrl247
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 6:27pm

      I work in the health care industry. I used to go home so completely drained because I was simply trying to keep up the pace with my heavy work load. Finally, God burdened me with the idea to stop and listen to what some of my elderly patients have to say. I was amazed at how much I grew to love the elderly and more amazingly, I soon learned that I was keeping a good pace with my work and was getting done even faster than before. Take time to listen. Also, I wanted to say that we do have a bunch of us that are frustratingly writing letters to anyone we think will listen about the Straits. We have had a ride in their honor and plan on more.

      Report Post » Godzgrl247  
    • kcares
      Posted on June 7, 2012 at 6:57am

      Love the stories of your parents and grandparents. My father was in Africa and Italy, but he didn’t talk about the war. I have such respect for our Military, and none for the Uncommander in Chief that campaigned and partied instead of attending D day rememberance. Thank all you service families for our Freedom, which I constantly tell to my 2 daughters. We all have our American pride all over our houses, as well as our pride of being a Christian.

      Report Post » kcares  
    • TheirMom
      Posted on June 7, 2012 at 5:47pm

      You were so lucky to have your grandfather. My dad would never talk about his time in the service. Sadly, these wonderful people are becoming a dwindling resource. If you have children have them talk to their grandparents or great-grandparents. This is a legacy that must live on.

      Report Post »  
    • NeoFan
      Posted on June 7, 2012 at 11:57pm

      Reminds me of the country song “in color” ( you should have seen it in color) by Jamey Johnson.

      Report Post »  
  • CougarNick78
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 4:55pm

    God Bless those troops and the sacrifices they made. This was back in the day, when Americans and Brits, and even many Frenchmen were FIGHTERS not PC Appeasers…..

    FYI- My living Grandad was in the 4th ID, arrived in France in August 1944, as a replacement. He and his company saw combat in France, went through Paris, The Ardennes/Bulge, crossed the Rhine, and even liberated a concentration camp…… Thank You Greatest Generation for all you did and endured.

    Report Post » CougarNick78  
    • loriann12
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 5:15pm

      My husband’s grandpa was in during that time, but I’m not sure where he went. He’s up in years now and not really able to hold a full conversation. I met him for the first time this year (after 24 years of marriage) because he lives in CA with his other sons. The conversations we did have were nice.

      Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on June 7, 2012 at 6:57am

      And, with all of the commemoration activities occuring yesterday, our pencil necked geek of a Commander in Chief ignored our troops of the day and instead attended fund raisers. You know, for all of that evil money as Ed Schultz put it.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • Godzgrl247
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 4:54pm

    And to think that one of these men would live another sixty-eight years, be sitting in his own house with his 85 year old wife and approximately two to five individuals break in, beat both the man and his wife unmercifully, rape the wife, shoot the man with a BB gun (in the face), and steal his television and a small bit of money. Yep, that’s what happened here in Tulsa on March 14th, 2012 to Bob and Nancy Strait. Nancy Strait died the next day from her injuries. Bob Strait died a few weeks later. Such a terrible fate for one of our war veterans! Don’t they deserve justice?

    Report Post » Godzgrl247  
    • loriann12
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 5:17pm

      I sometimes wish we could go back to when people respected their elders. i’m only 48, but my parents were older than my peers (my dad is now 80) and I was raised to respect my elders. There is none of that anymore.

      Report Post »  
    • Talent-Keyhole
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 6:02pm

      Yes, of course they deserve justice. But, lacking efforts from local law enforcement, weepy, hand-wringing liberal public defenders, judges and others, the only justice which if possible for the rapists and murderers is that of The Citizen. Remember, lacking elected officials and their minions and their support for our Constitutional Rights, The Citizen is the next line of defense. My recommendation: Form a small Citizen’s Group, seek out those responsible and put them to the Test. That is all it takes, Citizens Taking Action. What action you take is entirely up to you and the group, but remember that animals of the jungle understand only one thing, deadly and swift retributive violence.

      Report Post »  
    • Talent-Keyhole
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 6:08pm

      I attempted a favorable reply to this but noticed that my post was immediately cancelled. I must be on the web site’s watch list. Time to find another nickname.

      Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 7:47pm

      Don’t they deserve Justice – you bet they do and Justice will be served. Not by Liberal Judges, but by God in Heaven. Everyone will be held accountable, and everyone will be judge by God for every word and deed they have done in their life. Let me tell you, even that goose stepping Hitler will stand in Judgement and account for every life he effected. I’m sorry to hear that story about that wonderful couple.

      Report Post » db321  
    • TulsaYeeHaw
      Posted on June 7, 2012 at 2:47am

      The Tulsa Anti-Gang Task force is still investigating. They know who were involved (plural), but to avoid jeopardizing investigation and subsequent trials, they need more time to lock stuff down. (I’m acquainted with some TPD) they have alot of sh1t on their plates right now, this town is overrun with crime.

      Report Post »  
    • earl33
      Posted on June 7, 2012 at 6:59pm

      ATT; GODZGRL247>>>
      What I want to know where all the protesters??? that turned out when a black was shot in Fl.?
      where is Sharpton, Jackson? Why has no one offered a reward for the killing of the ones that broke in to thier house and raped the woman, beat the husband, stole their possessions and caused them both to die????? OH I know it is ok. to kill whitey but not to kill a black in self defense.

      Report Post »  
    • tuchux
      Posted on June 7, 2012 at 8:07pm

      It is so sad and it makes me so furious,when these people who have done so much for us to be disrespected so bad,theres is alot of younger people these days dont know what it means to respect there elders,i wish i could be there and see when karma pays them back.

      Report Post »  
  • countryfirst
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 4:40pm

    American’s have always given their blood when the threat of tyranny comes upon a peaceful and just people. Like Reagan said America is the last hope of freedom the world has.

    God Bless America

    Report Post » countryfirst  
    • KKC003
      Posted on June 7, 2012 at 2:02pm

      You are so right!
      God Bless our troops and their loved ones!

      If the whole world was free, just think of what could be accomplished. But instead the last free country is under attack daily – even from within.

      Report Post » KKC003  
  • tckid17
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 4:15pm

    I forget that things happened in color back when they didn’t have HDTV 1080 pixels.

    Report Post »  
  • freedom4ever
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 4:15pm

    My dad hit the beach 20 days after d-day. Even then it was horrible! I sat down with him a few years ago and we went through his pictures from the war. I learned so much of what he did and what the other soldiers did. Sadly he isn’t here anymore but every Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day and D-Day I take out his book of pictures and relive the time we sat down and talked about our great country. Thank you to all the Veterans!

    Report Post »  
    • Bryan B
      Posted on June 7, 2012 at 2:05am

      I have two uncles that fought in Normandy on D-Day, My Uncle Don was with K Company 116 Regimental Combat Team (RCT) 29th Infantry Division. And My Uncle Jim, was with F Company 1/505 Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR).Uncle Jim landed on the Town of Sainte-Mère-Église, and Uncle Don landed on Omaha Beach, Both of them lived through the War…..

      Report Post » Bryan B  
    • gpk
      Posted on June 7, 2012 at 7:52am

      My uncle was 2nd wave 2nd Ranger Battalion at Omaha. My father & father-in-law both US Navy in the Pacific. One of my friends from high school is dad’s plane was shot down and he ended up in German pow camp for couple years. My cousin’s father-in-law Navy Battle of Leyte Gulf. My neighbor “will bill” was at Iwo Jima from the get go. So many more…….
      They indeed were the “Greatest Generation.”
      And for my small part I‘m gald I served in the US Army for 3 years in the late 60’s.

      Report Post »  
    • G-WHIZ
      Posted on June 7, 2012 at 11:12am

      My dad was in the last year of WW1. He fugged his age by 1/2yr and became a “foot-soldier”. After basic, he was sent overseas/Germany ona Merchant-marine ship. He“landed” and just before his(and about 500-others) deployment to the front….Armistice was declaired…the WAR WAS OVER!!
      He told me, He got right back on the same ship and finnished his service, stateside. He then told me: “I am really glad I didn’t have to find out if I could kill annother person.” I am, too. He’s been gone since 1965…I think of what he said when I see our servicepeople. I find it easy to say “thanks”.

      Report Post »  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 4:11pm

    America had common sense and pride at that time. The rules of engagement did not exist like now. Americans had spunk and courage. The nation was mainly caucasian and united. Now..it is a nation of 3rd worlders looking for hand outs and africans demanding more rights than everyone else. America under obama could never have won World War II.

    Report Post »  
  • wboehmer
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 4:10pm

    Year after year, Worst-President-Ever Øbama ignores D-Day.

    He has no problem commemorating Ramadan and other muslim holidays, but D-Day apparently means nothing to him.

    Report Post »  
    • tckid17
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 4:19pm

      What’s more “Presidential” than filling out a college basketball bracket?

      Report Post »  
    • Dalady
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 5:47pm

      Where was he to learn our history? Indonesia? At the knee of Davis the Commie? In the choom gang? At left-wing university? Dreams? He grew up learning nothing good about our great country.

      OMG 2012

      Report Post »  
    • cloudsofwar
      Posted on June 7, 2012 at 8:27am

      @ dalady….. you are so right. i think Obama has a new choom gang in the white house. i saw a picture of bill clinton and obama standing on a stage and the silly look on obamas face reminded me of someone stoned.

      Report Post »  
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 4:08pm

    This was my parent’s generation.

    I read a novel several years ago. In it a general officer said something to the nature of:

    At the end of the battle they had won the dirt beneath their boots. Their only reward was GLORY.

    Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • gramma b
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 4:05pm

    Ah, for the days when American magazines were not Leftist rags.

    Report Post »  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 4:10pm

      I like how we gave Degaulle all the glory after our liberation of France. Maybe thats when they figured out how to manipulate the masses to give them a false sense of accomplishment. Its been downhill for France ever since. Shame!

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • Daveed
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:58pm

    An era and a people to be proud of. There would not be an America for the treasonous anti-America Marxists to hate with out the all the awesome Pro-America Americans who came before. God Bless you all. We salute you Patriots past, present and future. May God Bless you with supernatural strength when you need it the most and protection from evil men.

    Report Post »  
  • Ampleforth
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:54pm

    I just went to a visitation of my wife’s uncle, who died a few days ago. He served in the South Pacific. I knew the man for over 20 years and never had any idea that he served in World War II. He never spoke of it.

    Report Post »  
    • ScottG-CO
      Posted on June 7, 2012 at 1:39am

      My Dad’s cousin was the same way- I found out after his death that he made the landings at both Tarawa AND Guadalcanal. I believe they truly WERE the “greatest generation”!

      Report Post »  
  • airportengineer
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:42pm

    My father served in the Infantry, 29th, that same day, June 6th! He also had 2 brothers on the beach that day. I was born much later, 1973!

    Amazingly, all 3 made it out alive. The one thing that I will always remember him doing every year, was asking me what happened on June 6th!? I will never forget his story or my uncles! God bless the Greatest Generation!

    Report Post » airportengineer  
  • tommyg524
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:37pm

    Yes great moments indeed. And what have we spurned here in the great U.S. enterprise since then ? More and more divide, elitism, hate, all things military industrial, a meaningless electoral college, why because the presidency is preowned, like a loan clause man, yeah thats right, doesnt matter which party either. The elitists pick the president, then tell him which wars he will proceed with, et al. You all know it. So su c on the end of that m 16 will you.

    Report Post »  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:35pm

    Both my grandfathers served in WW2…gave me the inspiration to serve in my beloved USMC for 20 years…these men were heros and and an inspiration to me and my fellow veterans…God Bless this generation and all who followed and who will follow me after I am gone and
    ‘guarding heavens gates’…

    Report Post » Mark0331  
  • jackact
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:34pm

    As hard as we believe these times have become, it was much tougher for that great generation.
    Life, as we are conditioned to believe, was not simpler then.
    Americans were not afraid to judge and suffer the consequence of their united conviction.
    We will get back to that form of exceptionalism but it will take time.
    We’ll get there.

    Report Post »  
  • LetsBeSmartAboutThis
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:28pm

    God bless their courage.

    Report Post »  
  • Tom K
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:28pm

    I would like to thank our President for going out to raise election funds today, rather than spoil the D-Day 68 th. Anniversary for most Americans and maybe the rest of the free world. This past Memorial Day was ruined when Obamaites shut down the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall for about SEVEN hours for Obama’s 15 minute speach to a bussed in crowd. Those who actually wanted to honor the Veterans whose names are on The Wall were kept 100 yards back from the Wall for most of the day. Our so-called Commander-in-Chief will be replaced at the polling place this November. God Bless America !

    Report Post »  
  • Obama Snake Oil Co
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:26pm

    We know we lost you heros of the day almost, daily now, you humble generation, unseen hero of the fights. God bless for what you did for freedom of the world lest we never forget. OSOC

    Report Post » Obama Snake Oil Co  
  • Hill60
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:25pm

    Hmmm… looks like an old WW1 French Benet-Mercie Hotchkiss machine gun.

    Report Post »  
  • Cabo King
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:24pm

    Obama—your going to need to Google D-Day….

    Report Post » Cabo King  
  • Jim in Houston
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:18pm

    Great photos, unfortunately the POS pretending to be president won’t see them because he chooses to forget about D Day while he panhandles among the libaturds for money and panders to the welfare recipients for votes.

    Report Post »  
    • Anamah
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:33pm

      There are our heroes. Each and every one I salute you !!! Thank you with all my heart!

      Report Post »  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:15pm

    WE’RE ALL after D-Day photos! Hooray for us! (No sarc. intended!)

    Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:13pm

    Incredible moments in history.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:13pm

    Just finished a great book “The Jedburgs”. About the French Partisans and the three man units flown into occupied France to help the partisans. Great stories about how the French helped rid their country of the Nazi’s.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
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