We often visualize the frontlines of war in open spaces, but throughout history, cities and towns have becomes battlefields.
In World War II, the battles of Stalingrad, London, Budapest, and Berlin forever marked these cities as sites of historical brutality. During later wars, the cities of Korea and Vietnam were also leveled by the theater of war. Winding streets, towering buildings, and the presence of civilian city-dwellers added an entirely new element to warfare in the modern age.
Go back and witness soldiers storming streets, sniping out of windows, emerging from the rubble of homes, and fighting the enemy through brick and concrete.
1
A British soldier with a Bren gun in the ruins of Monte Cassino
Battle of Monte Cassino, World War II, 1945
2
Polish soldiers inside the ruined Monte Cassino monastery
Battle of Monte Cassino, World War II, 1945
3
US soldiers with a 57mm M-1 anti-tank gun fighting near Monte Cassino during the initial assault
Battle of Monte Cassino, World War II, 1945
4
The burnt-out remains of Buda Castle overlooking the destroyed Chain Bridge
Siege of Budapest, World War II, 1944
5
Soviet troops in Budapest
Siege of Budapest, World War II, 1944
6
German and Hungarian soldiers on a King Tiger inside the city
Siege of Budapest, World War II, 1944
7
Hungarian troops man an anti-tank gun in a Budapest suburb
Siege of Budapest, World War II, 1944
8
The iconic "Raising a flag over the Reichstag" photo
Battle of Berlin, World War II, 1945
9
U.S. Marines emerge from the battle-damaged Jeanne d'Arc church in southern Huế
Battle of Huế, Vietnam War, 1968
10
U.S. Marines clear buildings in southern Huế supported by tanks
Battle of Huế, Vietnam War, 1968
11
Marines fire from a house window during a search and clear mission in the battle of Hue
Battle of Huế, Vietnam War, 1968
12
G Company, 5th Marines clear snipers in a residential section of Seoul
Battle of Seoul, Korean War, 1950
13
U.S. Marines engaged in urban warfare in Seoul
Battle of Seoul, Korean War, 1950
14
U.S. Marines return fire against North Korean snipers
Battle of Seoul, Korean War, 1950
15
Aftermath of the German bombings in London
Battle of Britain, World War II, 1940
16
Observer Corps spotter scans the skies of London
Battle of Britain, World War II, 1940
17
Smoke rising from fires in the London docks, following bombing on September 7
Battle of Britain, World War II, 1940
18
A German Luftwaffe Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over Wapping and the Isle of Dogs in the East End of London
Battle of Britain, World War II, 1940
19
German soldiers positioning themselves for urban warfare
Battle of Satlingrad, World War II, 1943
20
Soviets defend a position
Battle of Stalingrad, World War II, 1943
21
A German soldier with a Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun in Barrikady factory rubble
Battle of Stalingrad, World War II, 1942
22
Soviet soldiers running through trenches in the ruins of Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad, World War II, 1942
23
An American tank drives through Rue Holgate in Carentan
Battle of Carentan, World War II, 1944
24
Paratroopers cautiously move through Carentan
Battle of Carentan, World War II, 1944
25
American paratroopers using a captured Kübelwagen in the town of Carentan
Battle of Carentan, World War II, 1944
26
American soldiers in the streets of Carentan
Battle of Carentan, World War II, 1944