Ghosts of World War II

Below is a haunting collection of photos showing what it would look like if the ghosts of World War II appeared on our streets today. The amazing images have been overlaid with photos taken recently, providing a glimpse into World War II.

Dangerous crossing: Soldiers race up Avenue de Paris in Cherbourg in 1944, speeding past the rubble and over modern-day road markingsDangerous crossing: Soldiers race up Avenue de Paris in Cherbourg in 1944, speeding past the rubble and over modern-day road markings.

Fear and fighting: The original image from 1944, before it was laid over a photo taken from the exact same spot todayFear and fighting: The original image from 1944, before it was laid over a photo taken from the exact same spot today

Startling contrast: Dutch historian Jo Teeuwisse finds pictures from archives and then researches their background, before taking a picture in the same place now and elegantly interweaving themStartling contrast: Dutch historian Jo Teeuwisse finds pictures from archives and then researches their background, before taking a picture in the same place now and elegantly interweaving them

Vivid reality: The past and the present collide as touches of colour appear on this emotive shot on rue Armand Levéel in the French city of CherbourgVivid reality: The past and the present collide as touches of colour appear on this emotive shot on rue Armand Levéel in the French city of Cherbourg

From dark times to blue skies: German prisoners of war are marched through the north-western French city by American soldiersFrom dark times to blue skies: German prisoners of war are marched through the north-western French city by American soldiers

Marching on: Allied soldiers are seen on the move past shops from then and now in these fascinating pictures of France from the Left Behind seriesMarching on: Allied soldiers are seen on the move past shops from then and now in these fascinating pictures of France from the Left Behind series

Changing environment: German soldiers surrendering beside the modern terraced houses of the Rue des Fossés Plissons in Domfront, OrneChanging environment: German soldiers surrendering beside the modern terraced houses of the Rue des Fossés Plissons in Domfront, Orne

Honouring the dead: Village behind the front lines in Normandy celebrate Bastille Day for the first time in over four years at a memorial that still stands todayHonouring the dead: Village behind the front lines in Normandy celebrate Bastille Day for the first time in over four years at a memorial that still stands today

Moving moment: Servicemen rest beside signs pointing the way to a hospital and a church, with more old-fashioned script just visible behindMoving moment: Servicemen rest beside signs pointing the way to a hospital and a church, with more old-fashioned script just visible behind

Echoes of history: The tarmacked road of Saint Marcouf, Manche, was once piled high with debrisEchoes of history: The tarmacked road of Saint Marcouf, Manche, was once piled high with debris

Dramatic past: Men in uniform file out of La Madeleine à Sainte Marie du Mont, in Manche, close to the beaches of Normandy where the D-Day invasion took placeDramatic past: Men in uniform file out of La Madeleine à Sainte Marie du Mont, in Manche, close to the beaches of Normandy where the D-Day invasion took place

Horrific sight: A dead German soldier lies sprawled in the street with smooth patches showing through where the area has been restored todayHorrific sight: A dead German soldier lies sprawled in the street with smooth patches showing through where the area has been restored today

Historical colour: A sign reading Todt Organisation - a Third Reich civil and military engineering group in Germany - is pictured over a pretty orange and pink houseHistorical colour: A sign reading Todt Organisation – a Third Reich civil and military engineering group in Germany – is pictured over a pretty orange and pink house

New world: An American flag speaks of Allied progress in this engrossing image from the streets of FranceNew world: An American flag speaks of Allied progress in this engrossing image from the streets of France