Falschirmjäger went heavily-loaded into battle. This trooper fixed the ammo pouches for his MP40 to his lower legs. Most troops dropped into Crete unarmed, except for a pistol, but a few decided to drop with weapons in hand. This was common for those who had MP40s. There is a film where a trooper landed with his MG34 in hand, with ammunition box! He dropped his load just before landing, as to lighten himself, and allow for proper roll on impact. 

Dressed for the battle

Original caption: “This dead German paratrooper belonged to the Luftlande Sturm Regiment. He landed in the sea and drowned. He then later came drifting to the beach of Maleme.” Invasion of Crete, 1941.

Fallen Fallschirmjäger

A Fallschirmjäger on Crete near Chania. Note that he has his steel helmet slung  over his shoulder and is wearing the cloth helmet cover on his head, to try to beat the Cretan heat. 
