In 1945, as the Second World War in Europe drew to a close, the lives of millions of people changed fundamentally. On the battlefields of Europe, in the destroyed cities and villages, but also in people’s minds, the war left deep scars. This historic photograph shows a long line of German soldiers heading into captivity in the final days of the war. The faces of these men speak of exhaustion, despair, and resignation. Many of them were young, inexperienced, and in the

After the surrender of the German armed forces on May 8, 1945, millions of German soldiers faced an uncertain future. For many, the march into captivity began—an often long, arduous journey that led through destroyed cities and over vast distances. They had to face their responsibility for the war crimes and destruction that Nazi Germany had brought to Europe.

The streets they marched along were often marked by the traces of war: bombed-out buildings, abandoned vehicles, and smoking wreckage. The people they encountered along the way were often victims of the war themselves, finding their cities and their lives in ruins. In many cases, the population was filled with hatred and bitterness toward the soldiers who had brought the war to Europe.

At the same time, this period also marked the end of a long nightmare for the prisoners. The path to captivity was often also the first step back to civilian life, far from the horrors of war. But for many, this path would take a long time. Hundreds of thousands of German soldiers were taken to prisoner of war camps in the USA, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. The camps in the Soviet Union were particularly notorious for their harsh conditions. Many never returned.

Despite the despair and uncertainty felt by many soldiers, the end of the war was also a moment of hope for the world. The tyranny of the Third Reich had been defeated, and Europe could finally begin to heal the wounds of war. But for the soldiers depicted here, this moment was above all a farewell—to their comrades, to their homeland, and often to their old lives.

Today, these images remind us of the horrors of war and the importance of peace for humanity. They warn us not to repeat the mistakes of the past and to always seek peaceful solutions. As we look at the faces of these men, we should not forget that behind each of these faces lies a unique, often tragic story. Stories of hope, loss, fear, and the desire for a new beginning.