Children and anti-aircraft guns 1945

Children and anti-aircraft guns 1945, original size of the photo: 5680×4200, photographer: unknown, rights: © Historiathek / Stephan Bleek

The image of children playing with an anti-aircraft gun in 1945 is a poignant depiction of the period immediately after the Second World War. This scene shows children in Berlin, where remnants of the war, such as abandoned military equipment, were widespread. The stark contrast between the innocence of childhood and the destructive power of the machinery of war emphasises the surreal and often grim reality faced by people in war zones during and after the conflict.

The interaction of children with such machines reflects the normalisation of the presence of war in their lives and illustrates how deeply the war has penetrated their everyday lives. Furthermore, these images can serve as a historical reminder of the impact of war on the civilian population, particularly the younger generation, and the long-term psychological and social consequences of growing up amidst such destruction.