Reflections of War: Forgotten Photographic Archives of the Second World War

[edwest2]

Scheduled for 3 February.


https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-W...=books&sr=1-10


Usual disclaimer,
Ed

[Edward]

I can get pretty excited about an announcement of "forgotten archive of WW2 glass negatives" and "150 rare images."

The website of the publisher, The History Press, provides a limited preview of said rarities though none prompted me to commit and plunk down my dollars and cents to find out what's between the covers The image used for the cover is usually a good barometer of what the collection might be like.

At the bottom of the preview page it states that all of these photos have been licensed by "Topfoto". Going to their website and searching under "Peter Deleuran" gives five pages of results. Here are all of the photos from the book.

Looking through them I can see that this is pretty much a standard collection of Allied press photos from WWII with a limited number of aviation related shots.

I know that there are hundreds of thousands of rare and unseen pictures of WW2 still out there. However nothing really compares to the truly spectacular photographs of WW2 archived with the IWM, AWM and especially the LIFE magazine (hey, prove me wrong).

Reflections of War: Forgotten Photographic Archives of the Second World War
(The History Press – February 3, 2026)
by Peter Deleuran
208 pages - hardcover
£30.00
$49.99 US

"In 2020, in his capacity as an antique dealer, Peter Deleuran discovered a forgotten archive of WW2 glass negatives with their original press sleeves. Since acquiring them, he has been committed to their careful restoration, while also excavating the human stories behind them. This stunning book is the result, unveiling 150 rare images and compelling background narratives across a variety of themes, from the early days of war through battles and frontlines, in hospitals and rescue operations, technology and warfare, to the home front, resistance and liberation, the end of war, its aftermath and remembrance. Each story is anchored by original press negatives and meticulously researched to reveal engaging chronicles, many untold for 75 years.

This collection captures moments of loss and survival that resonate with hope and resilience amidst the backdrop of one of history's most horrific periods, poignantly illuminating the experiences of those who lived through the Second World War."

https://thehistorypress.co.uk/public...ctions-of-war/

Five photo preview
https://thehistorypress.co.uk/articl...ctions-of-war/

See Also
https://photoarchivenews.com/news/in...ond-world-war/

Topfoto website - searching under "Peter Deleuran"
https://www.topfoto.co.uk/search/?se...uran%22&page=1

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Particularly I felt the price a bit high and we do have a good sample of poor text below a photograph:
ENGINE STORE AT AN AIRBASE, 1944 (All rights reserved Topfoto, Image ID: PD3001498)

This image shown as "an engine store at an air base - unlocated, circa 1944 according to the author" is apparently an aeronautical engine FACTORY. I doubt if an airbase did have such a huge engine store...one would need two airbases...one for the engines and one for the airplanes and personnel....In my humble opinion...the images may be great, but the text below seems to be poorly researched. Again, we do have a nice image of Churchill....where? which town? During the Blitz? Going where? Doing Propaganda? Very abstract the text below...we are dealing with History....one needs, place, time and further information - in my humble opinion.

A.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

I am talking about those previews:
Five photo preview
https://thehistorypress.co.uk/articl...ctions-of-war/