WWII Photographic Negatives V-E Day in France 96th Troop Carrier Squadron 1944-1945

Item Details

1944-1945

On offer is an amazing archive of photographic negatives related to the 96^th Troop Carrier (Airlift) Squadron of the 440^th Carrier Group in France. There are approximately186 ~4”x5” negatives printed on Eastman Topographic Safety film, apparently from a military photographer. The images are labeled in brown slip-envelopes, and seem to mostly document activities from late 1944 through October 1945, including the May 1945 V-E Day celebration in Orleans, France, after Hitler’s surrender. The squadron was involved in towing gliders and dropping paratroopers and supplies in Europe, including during the D-day assault, as well as carrying the wounded out. I scanned many of the key negatives and inverted them to display here, though a professional could no doubt make them look even better, especially after adjusting lighting and cropping, which I have not attempted. Some of my favorites are of the V-E Day celebration, which include the equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, but much more is included:

Aircraft photos related to the C-46, a glider interior, P-51 on the ground (1 image), and gas hauls (approximately 75 negatives total)

Photos of the V-E day celebration in Orleans, France (approximately 36 negatives)

440^th Field Day, July, 1945 (approximately 7 negatives)

Images related to officers: Captain W P Crawford, Colonel F X Krebs (including his staff car), and a Jeep crackup for M.P.s (approximately 30 negatives)

Post-war activities, including a Holland trip, 96^th picnic, tennis team (approximately 38 negatives)

Negatives are in generally good condition with some edge wear and darkening (which shows light on the positive images).