German infantry move to take up defensive positions. The soldier standing with his back, in addition to the standard equipment, has a cartridge box and a case for replaceable barrels for the MG-34 machine gun; Eastern Front, 1941.

German Infantry in action

German soldier cleaning his MP40.

The MP 40 (Maschinenpistole 40) is a submachine gun chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge. It was developed in Germany and used extensively by the Axis powers during World War II.

Designed in 1938 by Heinrich Vollmer with inspiration from its predecessor the MP 38, it was heavily used by infantrymen (particularly platoon and squad leaders), and by paratroopers, on the Eastern and Western Fronts. Its advanced and modern features made it a favorite among soldiers and popular in countries from various parts of the world after the war. It was often called "Schmeisser" by the Allies, after Hugo Schmeisser, who designed the MP 18, although he was not involved in the design or production of the MP40. The weapon's other variants included the MP 40/I and the MP 41. From 1940 to 1945, an estimated 1.1 million were produced by Erma Werke. 
taken from fb/WW2 1939-45

Mp40

Russia 1944 . Landser with Panzerschreck
taken from fb/D.Del Moral/Eastern front