Although the unprecedented scale of World War I was grand enough to give it the nickname The War To End All Wars, it only took about 20 years after the fact before that perception was proven wrong. After all, World War II would prove even larger and more destructive to the world.
As such, it’s impossible to capture every moment from a conflict that spanned the entire globe and exceedingly difficult to keep track of the photos that do exist. That’s why there are no shortage of photos like these that capture unseen moments from that tumultuous period in world history.
A Failed Landing That Could’ve Been Worse
To an even greater extent than in the previous war, World War II was just as perilous in its naval and aerial battles as it was on land. Although America largely stood alone against the Imperial Japanese Navy, all Allied nations had to contend with the lurking threat of German U-boats.
Indeed, those were likely what prevented these British soldiers from starting their mission, as this ship had to rescue them from their landing craft in May of 1940.