During World War II the photographers of the United Statesarmed forces created on film a pictorial record of immeasurable value.Thousands of pictures are preserved in the photographic libraries ofthe armed services but are little seen by the public.In the narrative volumes of UNITED STATES ARMY INWORLD WAR II, now being prepared by the Office of the Chief ofMilitary History of the United States Army, it is possible to includeonly a limited number of pictures. Therefore, a subseries of pictorialvolumes, of which this is one, has been planned to supplement theother volumes of the series. The photographs have been especiallyselected to show important terrain features, types of equipment andweapons, living and weather conditions, military operations, andmatters of human interest. These volumes will preserve and make accessible for future reference some of the best pictures of World WarII. An appreciation not only of the terrain upon which actions werefought, but also of its influence on the capabilities and limitations ofweapons in the hands of both our troops and those of the enemy, canbe gained through a careful study of the pictures herein presented.These factors are essential to a clear understanding of military history.This book deals with the European Theater of Operations, coveringthe period from the build-up in the United Kingdom through V-E Day.Its seven sections are arranged chronologically. The photographs wereselected and the text written by Capt. Kenneth E. Hunter; the editingwas done by Miss Mary Ann Bacon. The written text has been keptto a minimum. The appendixes give information as to the abbreviationsused and the sources of the photographs.