Rare Vintage Color Photographs Capture Everyday Life in Britain During the Blitz

A collection of very rare color photographs of life in London and across the UK during the Blitz have been released to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

The images are on display as in the Imperial War Museum in Manchester, as part of their Horrible Histories®: Blitzed Brits, which opens and runs until April 2016.

The bombed site of John Lewis, Oxford Street, London. Credit: TR1147/Imperial War Museum.

Nelson's column with 'salute the war effort' signs. Credit: TR1696/Imperial War Museum.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in London with barrage balloons in the background, seen from Westminster Bridge. Credit: TR1114/Imperial War Museum.

A messenger boy walking past the entrance to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square London. Credit: TR1946/Imperial War Museum.

The bomb damaged areas around St Paul's Cathedral. Credit: TR1693/Imperial War Museum.

Mr George Beckett, a volunteer with the British Home Front, uses a power hammer to forge the handle of a file. Credit: TR2653/Imperial War Museum.

The Minister for Aircraft Production, the Rt Hon Colonel JJ Llewellyn, MP at his desk. Credit: TR 41/Imperial War Museum.

The Auxiliary Territorial Service at an Anti-aircraft gun site in December 1942, Credit: TR470/Imperial War Museum.

Lunchtime entertainment in a war workers' canteen - a view from the audience. Credit: TR 968/Imperial War Museum.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill with his chiefs of staff in the garden of 10 Downing Street in May 7, 1945. Credit: TR2858/Imperial War Museum.

Two Auxiliary Territorial Service girls operate a mobile power plant on an anti-aircraft gun site at night. Credit: TR464/Imperial War Museum.

A girl guide and a sea ranger selling saving stamps as part of the War Effort. Credit: TR1942/Imperial War Musuem.

ATS spotter with binoculars at the anti-aircraft command post, with a 3.7 inch anti-aircraft gun in the background. Credit: TR460/Imperial War Musuem.

A Civil Defence Warden inspects bomb damaged buildings in Holborn, London. Credit: TR1928/Imperial War Museum.

A London messenger boy walking past a bomb site in London. Credit: TR1947/Imperial War Museum.

Two women weighing and packing bicarbonate of soda at a chemical factory run by the Ministry of Supply. Credit: TR1809/Imperial War Museum.

(via ITV News)