The much vaunted Maschinengewehr 42 (MG42) from German WW2 armed forces. With 1,200 rounds/minute firing rate, one could not hear individual bullet concussions leaving the barrel, just one constant roar.

MG 42 | Wiki

Contrasted with Allied WW2 weapons, US M1919 30-cal MG fired between 400-600 round/minute, while British BREN fired circa 500 rounds/minute.

M1919 Browning machine gun | Wiki

Bren light machine gun | Wiki

MG42 rate of fire intimidated "green" US servicemen such as extent that US War Department (former name of US Defense Department before 1947 name change) produced a "Why We Fight" propaganda movie segment to debunk MG42 effectiveness. However, in actual combat these servicemen quickly learned such propaganda did not sway MG42 effectiveness.

Why We Fight | Wiki

(01) Why We Fight: "The Battle of Britain" 1/6 | YouTube

Waffenmeister: MG42 | PGD

Another German innovation was use of MG42 as both light and heavy machine gun platform (traditionally, pre-WW2 nations developed separate MG weapons for these roles). Light MG referred to man-portable / drum machine weapons for short-distance engagements. Heavy MG referred to bipod / tripod mounted MG with belt-fed magazines for long distance sustained fire. Key to this sustained firing was a quick change barrel, in which MG42 crew could replace in 15 seconds.

MG-42 Semi-Auto Kits | BRP

Die Wehrmacht (pronounced in German as Dee Vehr Mak, or The Armed Forces) was a WW2 propaganda magazine showcasing German military exploits, with inset photo MG42 tripod team overlooking a coastline either in Ukraine or Mediterranean circa 1942-1943.

Wehrmacht | Wiki

Wehrmacht was the Germany unified armed forces structure 1935-1945, consisted of Heer (army), Luftwaffe (air force), Kriegsmarine (navy), and Waffen-SS (Armed SS).

Waffen-SS, derived from paramilitary arm of German Nazi party, was 4th branch of Wehrmacht when German Chancellor Hitler placed its command under Wehrmacht control for military operations. By WW2 end, over 900,000 Germans - ethnic Germans - foreign volunteers served within Waffen-SS ranks. Note that German Schultz Staffel (SS) structure divided between Waffen-SS (its frontline combat arm) and Allgemeine SS (General SS) which overall national security arm such as Sicherheitsdienst (SD or intelligence service), Geheime Staatspolizei (Gestapo or secret police), and even Aryan marriage certification.

Waffen-SS | Wiki

Allgemeine SS | Wiki

Sicherheitsdienst | Wiki

Gestapo | Wiki

In 1930s, there was factions within Nazi Party (especially led by the Sturmabteilung or Stormtroopers, also called Brown Shirts) which wanted to replaced German army outright with legions of Nazi Stormtroopers to guarantee loyalty to the party, not just to the state.

Sturmabteilung | Wiki

Summer 1934 infamous Nazi party purge called "Night of the Long Knives" executed about few hundred Sturmabteilung member ( including its leader Ernst Rohm ), while purging from power a few thousand other SA members. This effectively removed last vestige of potential rebellion against Hitler from within Nazi party. German Army, tough not a direct participant in this purge, was a co-conspirator in immediately applauding Chancellor Hitler in this action. But such marriages of convenience is usually short-lived, by 1944 German Army high command members attempted assassinate Hitler in famed July 20th Plot.

Night of the Long Knives (1934) | Wiki

Ernst Röhm | Wiki

20 July Plot (1944) | Wiki

German MG42 gunner at dug-in position overlooking swollen river, weather could be either early Spring thaw or Autumn raining season. Region could be either Balkans, Italian, or Ostfront (Eastern Front) circa 1943-1944.

MG gunner is wearing Army camouflage Zeltbahn (a poncho that can be converted into a small tent). In this manner, soldier could wear tent as camouflage poncho in combat, then reuse it as tent to get him out of the elements (rain, wind, snow, sunlight).

WW2 German Camouflage uniforms | TDM

Zeltbahn tents and shelters | ZBN

German Police Zeltbahn | ZBN

Waffen SS Zeltbahn (5 minutes into video) | YouTube