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BLITZ CHRISTMAS

Stunning colourised photos show spirit of Christmas on WW2 frontlines and in London bomb shelters

STUNNING photographs capturing the spirit of Christmas at wartime have been brought spectacularly back to life through vivid colourisation.

The jaw-dropping snaps show families celebrating in London bomb shelters and soldiers getting festive on frontlines as the nation rallied in the face of terror.

 December 25, 1940: Young children are among those celebrating Christmas in an underground bomb shelter. Many spent the Christian festival in the bunkers after the city was bombed for 57 consecutive nights between September and November
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December 25, 1940: Young children are among those celebrating Christmas in an underground bomb shelter. Many spent the Christian festival in the bunkers after the city was bombed for 57 consecutive nights between September and NovemberCredit: Media Drum World

Among the historic images is a fascinating shot depicting families in party hats as they huddle around a table in a festively- decorated underground shelter during the Blitz.

Another picture captures two soldiers in their bunker wearing puzzled expressions as they attempt to decorate a tiny Christmas tree with strands of tangled tinsel.

While a further photo shows three gunners on New Year's Eve as they prepare to fire a shell emblazoned with the message: "For Adolph, unhappy New Year."

The Blitz lasted for eight months from September 1940 to May 1941.

 Tinsel frown: two soldiers decorate a tree in a bunker
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Tinsel frown: two soldiers decorate a tree in a bunkerCredit: Media Drum World
 Keep the home fires burning: this glamorous woman doesn't appear to have been affected by rations
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Keep the home fires burning: this glamorous woman doesn't appear to have been affected by rationsCredit: Media Drum World
 Feast your mince pies on this spread
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Feast your mince pies on this spreadCredit: Media Drum World
 There's always room for a Christmas tree - even on the front line
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There's always room for a Christmas tree - even on the front lineCredit: Media Drum World

Tragically, the raids by Nazi Germany killed 43,000 civilians.

Royston Leonard, from Cardiff, Wales, is the man who brought these incredible photos to life.

The 55-year-old electrician explained what inspired him to take on the exciting project.

He said: “The Blitz was a very hard time when life still carried on around the country.

 Festive cheer is brought to a hospital ward
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Festive cheer is brought to a hospital wardCredit: Media Drum World
 Two million houses (60 per cent of these in London) were destroyed during the devastating Blitz bombings
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Two million houses (60 per cent of these in London) were destroyed during the devastating Blitz bombingsCredit: Media Drum World
 Soldiers enjoy a lighter moment as they prepare to fire a special New Year message to Hitler
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Soldiers enjoy a lighter moment as they prepare to fire a special New Year message to HitlerCredit: Media Drum World
 Amid the terror of war, these two soldiers enjoy a serene moment as they marvel at a nativity scene
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Amid the terror of war, these two soldiers enjoy a serene moment as they marvel at a nativity sceneCredit: Media Drum World
 Writing home: a soldier pens Christmas cards to his loved ones
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Writing home: a soldier pens Christmas cards to his loved onesCredit: Media Drum World
 Here is Sgt Hiram Pouty on board a tank, playing Santa for British children in Perham Downs
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Here is Sgt Hiram Pouty on board a tank, playing Santa for British children in Perham DownsCredit: Media Drum World
 Royston Leonard, from Cardiff, Wales, is the man who brought these incredible photos to life
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Royston Leonard, from Cardiff, Wales, is the man who brought these incredible photos to lifeCredit: Media Drum World

“The pictures show that community is all that matters, not buildings or material things. Their message is that the more people try to destroy us, the more we will smile and carry on.

"I learned colourisation by trying out ideas by myself.

“I have learned so much from colourising, I feel it has helped my photography along the way.”


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