Monthly Archives: February 2018

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The Australian Women’s Land Army

A_papier-mache_cow_on_Mrs_Mellor_s_car,_1944A papier-mache cow, used for milking demonstrations at the Werribee experimental farm, Women's Land Army Australia Seconnd World War World W

Field Officer Mrs Mellor of the Australian Women’s Land Army ties a papier-mâché cow to the back of her car on the 29th of February, 1944 (1944 was a leap year).

The cow was used in milking demonstrations.

The AWLA was formed in 1942 to combat rising labour shortages in Australia’s farming industry as the war in the Pacific intensified. The organisation was disbanded at the end of 1945.

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On this day: London Library is Bombed

After a number of near misses, London Library was finally hit by German bombs on the 23rd of February, 1944.

The library, founded in 1841, is on St James’s Square.

On 23rd February 1944 The London Library came within a few feet of being totally destroyed. Bombed Second World War Two0241_-_The_Art_Room_19440238_-_

On 23rd February 1944 The London Library came within a few feet of being totally destroyed. Bombed Second World War Two

On 23rd February 1944 The London Library came within a few feet of being totally destroyed. Bombed Second World War Two 0238_-_The_Sackler_Study_1944

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Four Years

Kyiv Ukraine Euromaidan Memorials Sonya Heaney May 2016

A memorial to the dead I photographed in 2016.

Today is the fourth anniversary of the end of Ukraine’s Euromaidan revolution. On the 20th of February, 2014 pro-Russian snipers took to the streets and shot and killed as many civilians as they could manage.

pro-russian-snipers-shooting-ukrainians-in-kyiv-ukraine-20th-february-2014

Snipers in the same spot the memorials are now.

The revolution resulted in overthrowing the corrupt, dictatorial oligarch in charge of the country, but he fled to Russia and paved the way for Putin’s invasion shortly afterwards.

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On this day: Manila in Wartime

U.S. troops at the Rizal Baseball Stadium, Manila, Philippines. 16th February 1945.

US troops stand in the Rizal Baseball Stadium in Manila in the Philippines on the 16th of February, 1945.

The Japanese had occupied the country for nearly three years. Two weeks before this image was taken, the Battle of Manila began, a fight for liberation that killed over 100 000 civilians and razed the city to the ground.

A combined force of American and Filipino troops finally defeated Japan at the beginning of March.

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On this day: Britain’s Infamous Winter

Called the Big Freeze of 1963, the United Kingdom shivered through an infamous winter that began in 1962. It was one of the coldest winters in history.

This photograph is dated the 14th of February, and was taken in the London Borough of Barnet, in the city’s north.

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North_Finchley_High_Road_geograph-3384741-by-Ben-BrooksbankView southward at Kenver Avenue, near Tally-Ho Corner. That winter the snow in London lasted for two months. 14th February 1963

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On this day: Manila on Fire

10th February 1945: Residents of the Philippines run from suburbs burned by the Japanese during the Battle of Manila.

The battle ran from the 3rd of February to the 3rd of March, when combined American and Filipino forces liberated the country from nearly three years of Japanese control.

Over 100 000 civilians were killed before victory was achieved.

Citizens of Manila run for safety from suburbs burned by Japanese soldiers. Philippines. 10th February 1945.

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On this day: Ballet in 1956

The Borovansky Ballet, an Australian company that was a pioneer for major dance companies in the country today, as featured in the Australian Women’s Weekly on the 8th of February, 1956. The images are from their production of The Nutcracker.
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Borovansky Ballet's Nutcracker published in The Australian Women_s Weekly 8th February 1956.