Varsity photos by Capa now public domain

Hello and a happy new year to everyone!

For those who are interested in Operation Varsity it may be of interest that the photos taken by Robert Capa are in the public domain as of 2025.
2025 in public domain - Wikipedia

Up until now I refrained from posting them online or using them in publications - but no longer! Robert Capa died in 1954, which means that 2025 marks the end of the 70 years period protecting the artist's copyright after his death.

In my view, one of the most touching photos of Operation Varsity was taken by Robert Capa who jumped into combat with the US 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment near Hamminkeln - this is it:

 

I do hope upon hope that this is so and that LOC are tardy with an update as result of new year.

Robert Capa - Rights and Restrictions Information (Prints and Photographs Reading Room, Library of Congress)

Kind regards, fingers crossed, always,

Jim.

 

Yo,

Thanks, good to know though I never paid much attention to any of that and put out stuff by him anyway. Never had to worry as hardly anyone pays any mind to my boring free location finding stuff ...

Robert Capa in the British Zone – Operation Varsity.pdf - Icedrive

Robert Capa in the American Zone - Operation Varsity.pdf - Icedrive

The Burning Farm - Operation Varsity.pdf - Icedrive

Regards ...

Later - I should add that it is thanks to WW2Talk researchers that Capa's actual movements during Operation Varsity are now much better known.

 

Hello Jim,
the LOC infomortion dates from 2016...

Best, Alex

 

Shared these at WW2f.com?

 

This is a dynamic Photo by Capa - looks like men of 513 PIR are getting organized shortly after landing. At least four of them are eqipped with carbines.

 

Very interesting - a new one for me. Best guess is that is was probably taken from the edge of Bunty Woods on LZ 'P'.

Regards ...

 

Ho,

A few more from same spot which I believe is towards the southwest corner of Bunty Woods. Correspondent Gander commented on the taking of prisoners by the Americans. His glider landed nearby and he and the Div HQ Padre fled to the treeline seen in the background.



Regards ...

 

The paras even carried a Browning machine gun into battle:

 

Yo,

From the "3 farms" path. The Kopenhof HQ can be seen in the background.



Regards ...

 

Yo,

In the opening photo, though hardly noticeable, a horse and cart can be seen passing on Bislicher Str. - American medics perhaps.



Regards ...

 

Hallo Cee,

Hoe gaat het!
vandaag heb ik ALBERK ontmoet en ook ALEX1975 in Hamminkeln.
ALEX1975 was doing a Battlefield tour as a guide for 35 UK, relatives of soldiers on Varsity.
we did also a commemoration at the centre of Hamminkeln.
well i was seeing your post of the 4 pictures, i believe the second one is not from that same position.
and in the first you see a soldier walking with that handcart witch appears also in the 4th picture

i will cirkle it with red line.


cheers Joop

 

Hiya Joop,

Could be the medics are just heading out with an empty push cart ... don't know?



Regards ...

 

2nd Photo

If you mean this one I believe it too, like the others, was taken from the 3 Farms path/lane.



Regards ...

 

Looking more closely

It bothers me that the poles aren't present in bottom pic. Taken elsewhere?



Regards ...

 

That is an M1919A6.

 

Fence Post

Going by the fence post these two photos were taken at the same location. But I'm not exactly sure where now that Joop drew my attention to it.



Regards ...

 

There are 12 posts between the 2 telegraph poles in the wide-angle photo, and 7 visible on the zoomed in shot so the zoomed in view could easily be between the poles. I'm sitting on the side of it being the same location just slightly different angles and a change in Lens.

I think I heard recently (trying to remember the source) that Kopenhof may have been used as an Aid post by the Americans for a short while, can this be confirmed? if so, it may suggest they are moving patients from the farm to a different location (presumably within the larger farm complex).

BR
SH

 

Yeah, funny as I heard that the Americans had employed Kopenhof in that manner recently as well. Perhaps it was in the WW2TV RAF Rivenhall/Varsity presentation. They did have an Aide Post in one of the 3 Farms at some point.

Well I hope the 80th Varsity Commemoration turned out well. Michael Pine-Coffin, I know, attended this year.

Regards ...

 

Well, remembered!

Well I hope the 80th Varsity Commemoration turned out well. Michael Pine-Coffin, I know, attended this year.- Dito! both @ Rivenhall and Hamminkeln