Most assume that the average German soldier was young, tall, and physically fit. While this stereotype was true to some extent where were some heavier soldiers in the German army. This was expecially true in the pre-war years when soldiers may have been left over for the Rheichsheer military. The late war period was a time of desperate need for soldiers and nearly anyone with a pulse regardless of weight would have be recruited. Often men in support roles such as cooks and clerks may have been heavier. Even front-line combat troops were sometimes overweight though this would have been relatively uncommon. As the war went on the entire country went on a diet due to rationing and depravation. 

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These photographs were taken from a number of online sources and auction sites.  They are presented here for educational purposes.