German paratrooper on Crete

German paratrooper on Crete. The photograph shows a knee length smock, in this instance camouflaged. Points of note are the numerous pockets in the lower part of the smock, the long trousers tucked into the boots, the two stick grenades pushed into the belt and the steel crash helmet carried at the side. This man is wearing on his right breast the Eagle and Swastika sign of the German Air Force (German paratroopers are air force not army troops). In pockets of the smock are usually carried the following: message pad, talc map case, compass, packets of automatic tracer and AP ammunition