Who is The Most FAMOUS German Soldier of WW2?

This is among the most famous pictures of World War 2, and most likely the most famous portrait of a German soldier during that war. But who is this man? What is his story?
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[Kriegter]

And now, he's immortalized in historical RTS games.

[therealwalter]

Bro I swear 1939 cameras are better than current cctv cameras

[wafflepv]

He’s literally on one of the HOI3 Steam backgrounds

[Drebel]

He looked more manly in his early 20s than most men in their entire lives.

[A.RandomGuy]

Surviving a war just to become a Meme On Reddit. And considering he lived until 2011, HE PROBABLY KNEW ABOUT IT!

[SugarKalamay]

Since nobody wants to do it, let me.

HANS, GET THE FLAMMENWERFER!! 🔥

[pizzacutter]

Apparently his real name is Heinz Mäger. There is an interview with him on YouTube.

[waltuh]

I don't know why but this is one of my favourite photos of WW2. You can see in his eyes that he is tired

[gavinJ]

Russians are Red
My fingers are Blue
We’re stuck in Stalingrad
HANS, GETS ZE MG42

[raugasai]

Can't really point my finger as to why WW2 German soldiers looked so badass. Their photos made them look battle-hardened & tough as nails --- kudos to their propaganda department. Then again, they almost single-handedly brought Europe to its knees so their performance matched their image & reputation. Their black uniforms (especially the Waffen-SS) & their Stahlhelm helmets made you feel as if you're facing off against a battalion of Darth Vaders 😂

[face]

I've seen this picture in several books and documentaries over the years, and I've always wondered who he was and if he survived the war. Very interesting picture; he looks exactly like what he became: a warrior. I love the ammo belt draped around his neck, and the look on his face. Very authentic!💯💪🏿

[CD]

Rest easy Hans, your Flammenwerfer will forever werf flammen.

[manhavai]

He was holding a 1911 and smoking a lucky strike, LEGEND

[genericaccount]

When I was 23 I was wasting my life and money on whiskey and strippers. These fighting boys were real men.

[georgewilkie]

My sincere Thank You to the producers of this Video. Many German Troops fought bravely and honorably. And, they too deserve to be remembered. Allow me to also add the I am an American combat Veteran (U.S. Army 505th PIR 82nd Airborne Division), and my Father fought in the WW2 "Battle Of The Bulge" (The Germans designated this Battle, "Operaton North Wind")

[glennbrymer]

I've been looking at this picture for years.
The knife he is carrying in the center of his combat harness always caught my eye.

[Kimchiboy]

That ambush area can still be visited today. Same road and nothing much changed.

[RISEOFTHEOATHBREAKERS]

The picture of the proned-out German infantryman ready to throw a grenade is powerful, too.

[davidthomspson]

I painted this scene in oils....it's not a meme..it is one of the greatest images of WW2

[seanoreilly]

I won an art contest for a photo realistic drawing I did of that soldier when I was in high school.