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!

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. 


The rest of the warrior

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.   
