A Fallschirmjäger boards a Junkers Ju52 in order to be transported to Crete. Note the static line held in his teeth. This was made to keep it from being a nuisance while embarking. With hands free the trooper could more easily haul himself and all his bulky equipment onto the plane. May 20, 1941.   


Next stop: Crete!

Original caption: “The air operation ‘Hermes’ has begun. German paratroops board a Junkers Ju52 at the airport of southern Greece in order to be transported to Crete. Embarking, the static line was held in the teeth as to keep it from being a nuisance. This kept the hands free to haul the trooper and all the bulky equipment onto the plane. 

All aboard!

Fallschirmjäger 7.5cm PaK40 in Action - High Resolution