At ease! Battle-weary U.S. soldiers pictured curling up for well-earned sleep before another day on front lines of Afghanistan

These are the incredibly moving photographs of soldiers taking a well-deserved rest from serving their country on the front lines.

The collection of pictures, taken by the late photographer Tim Hetherington, shows U.S. servicemen sleeping soundly during deployment in Afghanistan in 2008.

Mr Hetherington, who was killed covering conflict in Libya in 2011, dedicated much of his career to war photography, mostly in West Africa and the Middle East.



Peaceful moment: A solider, last name Nevalla, takes a well-deserved rest in the Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan in 2008





At ease, soldier: Alcantara, Korengal Valley, Kunar Province in Afghanistan, 2008





On the front-line: Kim rests in the Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, 2008





Deep slumber: Richardson in Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, 2008

The 13 images accompany a new film by Sebastian Junger, with whom Mr Hetherington often collaborated, called Which Way Is The Front Line From Here?

The photographs are now on display at the International Center of Photography in New York until May 13.


Mr Hetherington, an Oscar-nominated film-maker, was killed in a mortar attack on April 20, 2011 while capturing images of fighting between Colonel Gaddafi’s forces and rebels in Misrata, Libya.


His American colleague Chris Hondros, 41, was also killed in the attack.



Rested: Cunningham in Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, 2008





Dreams: Kelso in Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, 2008





Hiding from the world: Kelso pictured again in Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, 2008





Watched over: Mace in the Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, 2008





Stretched out: Lizama rests on a wooden board in Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, 2008





Sleeping like a baby: A solider rests inside a camouflage sleeping bag during a tour of Afghanistan





Tucked in: The soldier fell asleep with his head torch still in place





Well-earned: A soldier is captured catching 40 winks by the photographer Tim Hetherington in 2008





Tragic loss: Oscar-nominated film-maker and photographer Tim Hetherington was killed in Libya in 2008 while following the conflict