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THE HELL OF WAR

War photographer’s haunting black and white pictures of corpses in the jungle and a baby being rescued recall the horror of World War II in the Pacific

W. Eugene Smith's gritty snapshots offer a portal to the past

THESE jaw-dropping black and white pictures capture the horrors of battle for World War II soldiers fighting in the Pacific.

American photojournalist W. Eugene Smith captured the vivid photographs while working as a correspondent for Ziff-Davis Publishing and Life Magazine.

1944: US marine cradles a near-dead infant after finding the baby face down in the dirt while clearing out Japanese caves in Saipan
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1944: US marine cradles a near-dead infant after finding the baby face down in the dirt while clearing out Japanese caves in SaipanCredit: Getty Images

Aged just 15, Smith landed his first job in the field when he began taking snaps for two local US newspapers in Wichita, Kansas.

His early experience clearly stood him in good stead as he was awarded a photography scholarship to Notre Dame University at 18-years-old.

After finishing his studies in the New York Institute of photography he began working on a number of different freelance projects.

1944: US soldiers drive wounded away from the front line in Saipan, with one trooper holding up IV bags attached to two injured men
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1944: US soldiers drive wounded away from the front line in Saipan, with one trooper holding up IV bags attached to two injured menCredit: Getty Images
Casualties lay strewn across the battlefield following an attack on the Orote Pennisula
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Casualties lay strewn across the battlefield following an attack on the Orote PennisulaCredit: Getty Images
US Marines take cover behind a hillside rock as a Japanese blockhouse on Iwo Jima is detonated
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US Marines take cover behind a hillside rock as a Japanese blockhouse on Iwo Jima is detonatedCredit: Getty Images
Young Japanese girl carries a bottle of water and a baby on her back as she makes her way through a village on Saipan
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Young Japanese girl carries a bottle of water and a baby on her back as she makes her way through a village on SaipanCredit: Getty Images
Two soldiers crouch down on a narrow ledge as an enemy mortar shell explodes nearby
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Two soldiers crouch down on a narrow ledge as an enemy mortar shell explodes nearbyCredit: Getty Images

Smith was appointed war correspondent for Flying magazine in 1943 before taking up the same role for Life two years later.

The photographer followed the American forces in the Pacific as they leapfrogged from island to island during an offensive against Japan.

During his travels through Okinawa, Saipan, Guam and Iwo Jima he captured the struggles of the young men and prisoners as they battled with the brutality of war.

Infantryman Terry Moore, centre, and his fellow soldiers huddle in foxhole during intense sniper fire as they wait to advance on enemy positions
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Infantryman Terry Moore, centre, and his fellow soldiers huddle in foxhole during intense sniper fire as they wait to advance on enemy positionsCredit: Getty Images
Nurse tends to wounded soldiers in a makeshift hospital in Cens Cathedral during campaign to retake the Philippines
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Nurse tends to wounded soldiers in a makeshift hospital in Cens Cathedral during campaign to retake the PhilippinesCredit: Getty Images
1944: A bomb explodes in the water off the port side of an American aircraft carrier during the battle for Saipan
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1944: A bomb explodes in the water off the port side of an American aircraft carrier during the battle for SaipanCredit: Getty Images
1944: Trained scouting dog peers at a US soldier as he lies in a foxhole during the landing of Guam
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1944: Trained scouting dog peers at a US soldier as he lies in a foxhole during the landing of GuamCredit: Getty Images
1945: American soldier Terry Moore of F Company smokes a cigarette during posting in Okinawa
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1945: American soldier Terry Moore of F Company smokes a cigarette during posting in OkinawaCredit: Getty Images
A soldier from the US 7th Army Division comforts a wounded comrade during the fight for Okinawa
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A soldier from the US 7th Army Division comforts a wounded comrade during the fight for OkinawaCredit: Getty Images

When Smith was hit by mortar fire in Okinawa in 1945 he was forced to take some time out to recover from his severe injuries.

After a lengthy two-year recuperation process the photographer returned to work.

In 1955 he resigned his position at Life and was signed to Magnum.

He also taught at the University of Arizona until the age of 59 when he passed away after a stroke.

1945: Soldiers march towards the front line as they prepare to for battle in Okinawa
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1945: Soldiers march towards the front line as they prepare to for battle in OkinawaCredit: Getty Images
Blindfold-bandaged US soldier lying on a grounded stretcher, clasping hands as if in prayer, among casualties in WWII battle for Okinawa
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Blindfold-bandaged US soldier lying on a grounded stretcher, clasping hands as if in prayer, among casualties in WWII battle for OkinawaCredit: Getty Images
1944: Truck loaded with 2nd Division Marines drives past ruins of destroyed planes following an attack on a Japanese seaplane base in Saipan
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1944: Truck loaded with 2nd Division Marines drives past ruins of destroyed planes following an attack on a Japanese seaplane base in SaipanCredit: Getty Images
Workers sweep graves at an American military cemetery for those killed during the fight for Iwo Jima
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Workers sweep graves at an American military cemetery for those killed during the fight for Iwo JimaCredit: Getty Images
Wounded American Marine being loaded onto an 'alligator' tracked amphibious vehicle for evacuation during fighting against Japanese for Asan Point
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Wounded American Marine being loaded onto an 'alligator' tracked amphibious vehicle for evacuation during fighting against Japanese for Asan PointCredit: Getty Images
The 7th Infantry Division crouch in a ditch on the first day of battle
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The 7th Infantry Division crouch in a ditch on the first day of battle

It was always Smith’s intention for his snapshots to spark thought and debate.

He said: "A photo is a small voice, at best, but sometimes - just sometimes - one photograph or a group of them can lure our senses into awareness.

“Much depends upon the viewer; in some, photographs can summon enough emotion to be a catalyst to thought.”

1944: US Marines tending to wounded comrades while the fighting rages on during the battle to take Saipan from the Japanese
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1944: US Marines tending to wounded comrades while the fighting rages on during the battle to take Saipan from the JapaneseCredit: Getty Images
W. Eugene Smith passed away in 1978, but his incredible photographs still act as a portal to the past
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W. Eugene Smith passed away in 1978, but his incredible photographs still act as a portal to the pastCredit: Getty Images

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W. Eugene Smith isn’t the only photographer to encapsulate history in their work.

One of the earliest female photojournalists, Margaret Bourke-White, humanised major historical events, including World War II and the India-Pakistan partition violence.

And there are plenty of incredible photos from the past compiled in TIME magazine's 100 most influential photos of all time.

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