FRAGMENTS | George Roger

Between 1940 and 1941, the German air force, known as the Luftwaffe, initiated a series of devastating aerial bombings targeting English cities. Initially targeting industrial areas, the bombings soon shifted their focus towards causing harm to the civilian population. London, in particular, endured 71 bombings over the course of eight months. Starting in September 1940, the Luftwaffe launched a relentless assault on England, conducting bombing raids for 57 consecutive nights. The aftermath of these bombings resulted in the destruction of over a million homes and more than 40,000 casualties.

George Roger, an English photographer employed by the BBC at the time, felt a deep sense of responsibility to document the events of the Blitz. His photographs captured during the attacks caught the attention of LIFE magazine, leading to a job offer. Throughout the remainder of the war, Roger extensively documented various areas, including the liberation of Belgium, the Netherlands, and France.

Roger's final photographic journey took him to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Witnessing scenes of unimaginable suffering, disease, and piles of emaciated bodies, he made the difficult decision to retire from his role as a war photographer. The haunting images from Bergen-Belsen marked a turning point in his career and left a lasting impact on his perception of the war.

Photographs: The Era of the Blitz, Also Referred to as the 'Battle of Britain'