An original, first-generation photograph from a stunning war photo collection compiled by friend of the USMC, Marion Fischer.

Type & Size: A 4.5x3.5" original photograph.
Condition: Fair to good vintage condition. This particular set of photos was removed from a glued in album, and as such have remnants from that on the back including yellow coloring from glue and in some cases pieces of backing, which were kept there to protect the images. Image itself may have slight wear or wrinkling from age; please see scanned photos.

The aerial photograph depicts Naha City, Okinawa, in 1945, showing extensive damage from bombardment during World War II. The cityscape includes a harbor area and many buildings, likely destroyed or heavily damaged by the military action.

Naha, the largest city in Okinawa, was intensely bombed during the Battle of Okinawa, a major campaign of the Pacific War that involved significant Allied forces aiming to capture the island and establish a base for further operations. The impact of these bombings significantly altered the landscape and infrastructure of the region.

There is no visible text, known identifiable names, or specific captions in the image.


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This photograph originates from a massive Type 1 photo collection compiled by Mrs Marion Fischer. It contained over 500 mostly Navy & USMC press and personal photos spanning from Pearl Harbor through the Korean War. A number of these photos appear to have never been published.

During World War II Marion Fischer worked with the Emergency Aid of Pennsylvania. On her own, she started a project to provide kits for Marines. She wrote to her friends as well as celebrities to appeal for money for these kits that held toilet articles, writing paper, and a picture frame. Once the war ended, Mrs. Fischer found herself with the beginnings of a collection of letters from military officials. She again started writing letters to Marine Corps officers asking for items she could add to her collection. She mainly received photographs and biographical notes. Later, she was able to obtain war souvenirs. She displayed this collection in her home and opened it up to Marines wanting to view the holdings. Much of her collection is now part of the USMC archives referenced as Coll/858. Other parts of it, such as this photo collection, were sold by her estate.

Many of the photos in this collection were sent in to her by an incredible list of high ranking personnel including fleet Admiral Nimitz, Rear Admiral James Fife, and scores of others.