A paratrooper ready to drop into Normandy, the hero crew of the Memphis Belle and troops making TOAST: WWII is brought to life in a series of colourised images (15 Pics)

In this fascinating photo showing the brutal reality of the Second World War, American troops are seen walking down a recently ravaged street in Messina, Sicily, with weapons in their hands. The original black and white photo, which was taken in August 1943, was colourised by design engineer Paul Reynolds, 48, and shows the aftermath of an attack

The crew of the B-17 Flying Fortress 'Memphis Belle' stand for a photograph on June 7 in 1943 at an air base in England after completing 25 missions over enemy territory. The aircraft, which was used during the Second World War, later inspired two films: documentary Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress and Hollywood feature film, Memphis Belle

In another striking shot, a marine is photographed placing his hand on the forehead of his brother and comforting him on an Okinawa hillside in 1945. The picture, which captures the moment the soldier breaks down after witnessing the death of a friend in battle, shows the harsh reality of life at war

In another colourised photograph dating back to 1945, British commandos are seen on the outskirts of Wesel, Germany. Some soldiers look over the trench with binoculars while others keep the weapons in position and ready to fire. The series of stunning yet emotional colourised images capture one of the world's most devastating conflicts that lasted from 1939 to 1945

This photo, which was brought back to life by design engineer Paul Reynolds, 48, from Birmingham, shows four U.S Army military policemen toasting their bread over fiery molten lava from Mount Vesuvius as clouds of ash fly into the sky. The active volcano near Naples, which is best known for destroying the Roman city of Pompeii in AD 79, erupted on March 18 in 1944 

This picture captures soldiers stood at Caen Canal bridge in France in Operation Deadstick and also shows Airspeed Horsa gliders in the background. The aim of the operation, which took place in June 1944, was to take control of two road bridges across the River Orne and the Caen Canal in France

In another extraordinary photograph taken in Papua New Guinea on April 4 in 1945, two Australian troops, Private Leon Ravet of Parramatta, NSW (left) and Pte Bernard Kentwell of Cronulla NSW (right) are seen standing guard while on patrol duty with their Owen sub machine guns

In another photo unearthed by Paul Reynolds, men belonging to the British Army are seen with bandannas over their mouths during The Battle of Normandy in 1944. The guardsmen of the 3rd Irish Guards protect their eyes and cover their  mouths against the dust clouds during the British offensive Operation Goodwood on July 18 1944

This colourised image shows Flying Officer Leonard 'Ace' Haines of No. 19 Squadron sitting on his Supermarine Spitfire, Mk 1 in September 1940 at Fowlmere, England. The Flying Officer, who was born in December 1919 and joined the RAF on September 1937, is credited with shooting down six enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain. Following the battle he was transferred to a training squadron and later killed in a flying accident in west London

In another black and white photo brought back to life, American troops stand guard and hold their guns at the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. The Battle of the Bulge, which lasted for a total of three weeks, saw the Germans launch an attack on forces in the Ardennes forest in Belgium and Luxembourg

Among the colourised photos was one taken in June 1944 showing Sgt Jake McNiece of the 101st Airborne Division, ready to drop into Normandy

Pfc Angelo B. Reina, 391st Infantry Regiment as he stands guards at a desolate Oahu beach position in Kahuku, Oahu, in March 1945

In another photo showing the brutal realities of life during the Second World War, a Sherman tank crewman tries to walk through heavy mud in in Germany on November 24 in 1944 as his crew mates watch on from their tank. Paul Reynolds, who brought the pictures back to life said: 'The content of the photo conveys its own message; however I am glad that by colourising these photos more people are aware of the happenings of WWII'

In another dramatic photograph brought back to life, a US soldier is seen keeping aim with his rifle while inside a trench. During the Second World War, the United States was the only country to give its soldiers an auto-loading rifle 

This image captures US Army Corporal Paul F. Janesk sitting in his Jeep in Sicily during the Second World War. The cartoon images on his vehicle show Mussolini crossed out