During WW2 the Americans liked to take German Lugers. What did the Germans and Russians like to take from each other?

by J2quared
Bacarruda

Submachine guns were popular war trophies on the Eastern Front. The Germans used captured PPSh-41 and PPS-43 submachine guns in large numbers. A few were even converted to 9x19mm, adapted to take MP-40 magazines, and designated the MP41(r).

The Soviets in turn used German MP-40s in substantial numbers. Partisans obviously used captured MP-40s, and they were also well-liked by reconnaissance troops in particular.

https://imgur.com/a/jTCoNNE - an MP-40 in Soviet use

https://imgur.com/a/KVsU9Oa - a PPS-43 (left) and a PPSh-41 (right) in German service

https://imgur.com/a/l08InYt - a PPSh-41 in German hands

https://imgur.com/a/z0Cv924 - an MP-41(r) conversion and an MP-40 (right). Note the identical magazines.

Machine guns were also commonly-used war trophies. The Germans frequently used DP-28 machine guns and the Soviets used MG-34s.

https://imgur.com/a/DL3dI7v - a DP-28 and Moisin-Nagant rifle in German hands.

https://imgur.com/a/k0hZfVB - a German infantry section with an MG-34 and a DP-28.

https://imgur.com/a/Qsyunbr - two Soviets with an MG-34.

And this isn't even touching on the wide-scale use of captured tanks, artillery, and anti-tank guns by both sides!

When it came to personal items, medals, insignia, alcohol, cigarettes, food, boots, and winter clothing were commonly taken. Soviet soldiers especially liked taking German watches - infamously, the soldier in the famous Reichstag flag photo was wearing two looted watches, so one was editing out by Soviet censors.

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FXZvktB5BuM/V4r9YwAO9VI/AAAAAAAAKk8/PtlGz94QGXYtA_KpphdeS0aQGzts8vurgCLcB/s1600/The%2BSoviet%2Bflag%2Bover%2Bthe%2BReichstag%252C%2B1945.jpg