1945 Germany – France – Holland

In September of 1945, with the Second World War over, Werner Bischof left Switzerland for the first time in six years. On bicycle he traveled through Southern Germany, where he was profoundly touched by the sight of destruction.

1945 Southern Germany

Zurich, Switzerland, 3 September 1945

“This was the first time in six years that I was able to go abroad. Immediate questions that naturally came to mind: What should I take? How will I get around?

The same week I read in an article: ‘Every trip to Germany today is like casting off from an island into a sea full of unforeseen eventualities; it is best to equip yourself as if you were going on an expedition.”

Bellevue square, Zurich, Switzerland 1946

St. Peter church, Zurich, Switzerland 1945

Limmatquai from Grossmünster, Zurich, Switzerland 1946

Friendship Switzerland - Soviet Union, Zurich, Switzerland 1945

At The Pier, Zurich, Switzerland 1945

At the Swiss border, St. Margrethen, Switzerland 1945

Playing in the church, Friedrichshafen, Germany 1945

Last bedroom, Friedrichshafen, Germany 1945

Cathedral of Freiburg i.Br., Germany 1945

Looking for food, Freiburg i. Br., Germany 1945

Cross in the rubble, Freiburg i.Br., Germany 1945

Drawing a house, Freiburg i.Br., Germany 1945

1945 France

Raon l’Etape, France, 1945

“A world full of rubble has become a playground for children. Their toys consist of whatever the war has left behind.”

In the harbor of Rouen

“These men are unemployed. Is a ship coming or not? That is the critical question that determines the next job opportunity. Clogged canals, bombed out bridges – the infrastructure of European traffic lies in ruin.”

Leftovers from the war as toys, Raon l'Etape, France 1945

German Prisoners of War, Nancy, France 1945

Underfed teenager, Chapelle-en-Vercors, France 1945

No work!, Rouen, France 1945

Harbour of Rouen, France 1945

In the harbor of Rouen, France 1945

1945 Holland

The boy from Roermond, Holland, 1945

“At the post office where I am waiting, a boy comes along, his face torn apart; bluish-violet burn-marks left by shrapnel, a glass eye and a red mask, the healthy pink flesh makes a ghastly contrast.”

Jo Corbey, the boy from Roermond, Holland 1945

Cat's cradle, Maastricht, Holland 1945

Ships, Amsterdam, Holland 1945

Shipyard, Vlissingen, Netherlands 1945

Ruins in the Hague, Holland 1945

Four Boys, Holland 1945