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Horrors of Pacific War brought to life in colour photos: US troops battle Japanese soldiers trained to fight to the death
The Pacific War, triggered by an unexpected Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941, was fought over a vast area that included the Pacific Ocean and islands, the Southwest Pacific, Southeast Asia and China
American soldiers are seen wading through water in these awe-inspiring images that bring the Pacific War to life in colour. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)1 of 21 
The conflict raged from December 1941 to September 1945. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)2 of 21 
It was fought on land, sea and air across a large area encompassing the Pacific Ocean, Southeast Asia and parts of China. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)3 of 21 ![]()
American troops used state of the art weaponry as they pitted themselves against the Empire of Japan, who sided with Germany and Italy. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)4 of 21 ![]()
An unexpected Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941 signalled the start of the Pacific War and America's involvement in the Second World War. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)5 of 21 ![]()
The attack led America to declare war on Japan and begin what became known as the Pacific War, a small part of the overall conflict. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)6 of 21 ![]()
These injured soldiers were among four million hurt in the Pacific War. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)7 of 21 ![]()
The images have been brought to life through vivid colourisation. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)8 of 21 ![]()
This picture shows men being stretchered to hospital. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)9 of 21 ![]()
The images were brought to life by electrician Royston Leonard, 54 from Cardiff, Wales. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)10 of 21 ![]()
This heartrending image shows dead US soldiers being taken away, covered by the American flag. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)11 of 21 ![]()
Royston said: "The Japanese code was to not surrender and to fight to the death which was their way to die in battle with honour." (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)12 of 21 ![]()
He added: "Almost no prisoners were taken unless they were badly injured and could no longer fight." (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)13 of 21 ![]()
"The Japanese held every inch of every island they were on and the American soldiers had to fight for every inch that was taken as nothing was given for free," said Royston. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)14 of 21 ![]()
There were around 36 million casualties during the Pacific War. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)15 of 21 ![]()
Troops are seen fighting at Okinawa, a Japanese prefecture comprising more than 150 islands in the East China Sea between Taiwan and Japan's mainland. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)16 of 21 ![]()
In this image, a group of soldiers are seen on the shores of Tarawa, an atoll on the central Pacific Ocean. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)17 of 21 ![]()
After Pearl Harbor, the Japanese attacked and occupied many of the Southeast Asian countries and Pacific islands. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)18 of 21 ![]()
Many battles took place in the central Pacific Ocean and involved American and Japanese naval ships, as well as fighter planes. (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)19 of 21 ![]()
Royston said: "I learned colourisation by trying out ideas by myself." (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)20 of 21 ![]()
He added: "I have learned so much from colourising, I feel it has helped my photography along the way." (Image: Royston Leonard / mediadrumworld)21 of 21
