The child in the photographs is Hans-Georg Henke, who was only 15 years old when he was forced to enlist in the Luftwaffe, the German air force. There are two conflicting accounts about the story behind those photos. The first comes from the child in the photo, and the other from the photographer who took it.
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According to Henke, the moment that photo was taken, their troops were stormed by the Soviets in Stettin. After retreating to Rostock, they were completely overwhelmed by the Soviets and captured. He said that his tears came from the realization that he had lost everything he had ever held dear.
However, the photographer, American photojournalist John Florea, had a different recollection of what happened that day. First of all, he said that the photo was taken in Rechtenbach, not in Rostock. Furthermore, Florea asserted that American forces, not the Soviets, captured Henke and his troops. Finally, Florea said that he believe Henke had been crying not from a feeling of defeat, but from combat shock. As an added bonus, although Henke repeatedly stated he had always worn rags on his feet, the photos show that he was wearing boots.
What then could have explained Henke’s alternate version of events? Most likely, he had changed the facts of the story to get on the good side of the East German Communists, who were wary of anyone who had surrendered to American troops. Henke died on October 9, 1997, and he went to his grave telling the same story all throughout his life.
(Image credit: Rohit Singh/Quora)
Source: neatorama