A German mountain soldier carries his StG 44 with him. 1944/1945.
The StG 44 was, in essence, the first assault rifle to see major action. The StG may have been a huge factor in the war had it been developed earlier. By the time it was deployed into actual combat operations, the tide of the war was already turning against the Axis.
Fallschirmjager:
I might add I find it hilarious that Adolf’s dumb-f**K a** turned down the propossal to produce this firearm, then went into a test run behind his back. The gun’s teething problems were ironed out in the field, and Hitler received telegraphs from officers espousing the rifle. Of course once he realized how effective it is he took credit and patted everybody on the back. Also the large crack on the butt of the laminated stock shows the quality that was telling of a country losing a war.