One German pilot who is about to embark on a high-risk mission appears completely serene as he stares into the distance, his eyes hidden by his sunglasses.
A tight-knit squadron poses with a dog which doubles as their mascot and a fool-hardy airman puts his life in danger by sitting on a large shell.
The newly unearthed album documents the battle for supremacy of the skies which raged on in the Second World War.
In one photo, soldiers battle the elements as they try to fashion a road out of a quagmire.
In another, a large gun teeters off the road and ends up on its side in a ditch.
The heavy cost of war is clear to see in the numerous images of mangled remains of shot-down aircraft.
In total, there are 240 images in the album which are thought to have been taken by a member of the Luftwaffe in May and June 1940.
The album has been given to a British auction house by a private collector and is tipped to sell for £150.
Matthew Tredwen, a specialist at C&T Auctions, of Ashford, Kent, said: “We believe these photos were taken by a member of one of the crews.
“It is rare to have photos taken so close to and so soon after sorties and they give us a fascinating insight into the Luftwaffe.
“The images are very clear and it is a nice collection.”
The Luftwaffe was officially established in 1935 and the Condor Legion was sent to aid General Franco, which they did with devastating effect, in the Spanish Civil War. By the time the Second World War broke out four years later, they were the most sophisticated, technologically advanced air force in the world.
The Luftwaffe were instrumental in the German victories across Poland and Western Europe in 1939 and 1940 as the countries’ in their way fell victim to the Blitzkreig.
The Battle of France which took place over six weeks in May and June 1940 was a resounding German success which led to France’s surrender.
Hitler then turned the Luftwaffe against Britain, hoping to destroy the RAF ahead of a German invasion. However, in the the Battle of Britain, the heroic outnumbered RAF pilots successfully resisted their German foes.