Skijäger Brigade at Pripet region

Skijäger aiming his brand new MP.43/1 (Stg.44) assault rifle, with his LW gravity knife dangling from his belt. Note the protective rubber cap on the muzzle. The Fallschirmjäger gravity knife is not a standard issue for Skijäger, but  it was issued in significant numbers to them. The picture itself was taken in January 1944 at Pripet (Bug) region.

1. Skijäger Brigade at Pripet region, January/ February 1944. The unit had top priority in the distribution of MP 43 (later Stg.44). In January 1,553 assault rifles out of 5,400 were issued to the brigade. Each company fielded a shock-platoon armed with 30 of these revolutionary weapons.
LW gravity knives (Jäger in the middle) were standard issue just like Fallschirmjäger gas masks canvas containers were.

Carrying a wounded comrade. Skijäger Brigade in the Pripet region, January/ February 1944. Note the white-washed MP.43 magazine pouch and the man carrying the wounded which probably wears a StuG-Jacke.. Given the casual face of the 'wounded' man it is possible that this is just all for posing to the PK-Man. Note the right most man seems to be carrying a camera box himself. He's also armed with a G43. None of them seem to be wearing Bergschuhe these troops often were issued with.

Taking casualties even when the reporters are there. Skijäger Brigade in the Pripet area,March 1944. This is not the same chap that was carried in a previous photo, even though it's from the same film roll and Kriegsberichter. Looks like here is something real going on. Two on them are wearing Windblusen. It is a very good piece of over clothing. Nowadays we would retrieve the hand grenades and remove the web gear before giving assistance!

1 Skijäger Birgade in the Pripet marshes, February 1944.

1. Skijäger-Brigade in the Bug area (Pripet), February-March 1944. The MP 43 assault rifle is really white and it does show how well it blends in with the snowy background. All is in white-washed camo, with only the rifle sling and the shoes have not been painted.

1. Skijäger-Brigade patrol armed with MP 43/1, led by an officer. Bug area (Pripet) February-March 1944. The leading Skijäger has his LW gravity knife dangling at its belt. These men were clever enough to adapt their camouflage to their surroundings (wearing a white top would have outlined them against the forest of dark tree trunks behind!). The men were well supplied with MP 43s. Which is an excellent weapon for that terrain. The sub machine gun look identical to the MP44 but there are a few slight differences, mainly the muzzle nut is longer then the one used on the MP44.

Source :
ECPAD Archives, courtesy of Blanluet Christophe
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2360048380929060/