These Heartwarming Photos Capture Soldiers Finally Making It Home From WWII

Picture the scene: you and your friends have spent the last several years in bitter armed conflict with some of the world’s fiercest and most technologically advanced armies. Well, that’s exactly the experience that millions of Allied fighters endured during the nightmarish period of World War II. The conflict reached its conclusion in 1945 when Germany surrendered that May and Japan followed in the September. It was a period of euphoria for Allied troops – and a time to head back to their own countries. So on that note, join us as we explore pictures which show the relief of soldiers as they set foot on home soil.

40. Safe home

The sheer joy of these reunions shine brightly. Once World War II had reached its end, a massive American operation swung into action: the aptly named Operation Magic Carpet. Getting the troops home as quickly and safely as possible was the name of the game. According to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, the stunning 360-day feat of logistics “was the largest combined air and sealift ever organized.” 

39. Home, sweet home

Judging by the welcome banner, that’s Hector coming up the garden path. This British soldier’s wife and young son are obviously overjoyed to have him home in their “prefab.” Factories produced prefabricated houses in large numbers to solve the housing crisis caused by German bombing. And the authorities gave returning servicemen priority allocation. 

38. The wounded return

The combat injuries these soldiers have endured are all too obvious in this shot. But their spirits seem undampened as they wave at the welcome sight of the Manhattan skyline. The ship they’re aboard was the Gripsholm – a Swedish American Line vessel. The U.S. State Department chartered the liner and she ferried troops home under the auspices of the Red Cross. On this occasion, Getty Images notes that Gripsholm was carrying 1,209 Americans released from German prisoner-of-war camps. 

37. A sailor is home

It’s clearly been an emotional and affectionate reunion for this couple out for a stroll. Obviously, the man’s uniform shows that he’s a sailor, and the U.S. Navy had more than played its part in the victory that allowed him to come home in one piece. After years of war and danger, what a blessed relief it must have been to walk down a city street in the sunshine with his sweetheart in tow.