16 Year-Old Anti-Aircraft Child Soldier of the Hitler Youth...

In 1945, the US 9th Army captured German forces in Hessen, Germany in the midst of WWII. Amongst the soldiers was 16- year- old Hans Georg Henke who had served under the leadership of Adolf Hitler.

This photograph taken by American photojournalist, John Florea, would provide insight into the conditions of Germany, and would represent the feelings of the German citizens in the final moments of the war.

Looking into the backstory of this photo, there are conflicting accounts of how the events took place.

The photojournalist and Hans- George Henke have both spoken about what really happened in those moments.

At just 15 years old, Henke enlisted with the Luftwaffe pilots and began serving his country.

How Hans- Georg Henke Remembers the Photograph
The photo of the day Henke was captured shows his crying uncontrollably. Hans remembers this day as the one where the Soviets had advanced on the German position in Stettin where he was stationed with a battery of 88 mm guns. He recalls that his unit was forced back to Rostock but was ultimately captured.

It was at this moment of defeat that he claims the photograph was taken. He states that his tears were the result of the realization that the world he had always known was dying and recalls his beaten down body, and tattered rags on his feet.

John Florea’s Recollection of the Day
The American photographer remembers a different tale of events. Florea alleges that he took the photographs while in Hessen, Germany after Henke’s unit was overcome by American forces. He also argues that it was not the feeling of defeat that brought Hans- Georg to tears but rather combat shock.

Years later photos were compared between the photographs taken of Hans- Georg during the war and the village afterwards.

The thought of why change the story has led to vast speculation. However, there is one theory that many seem to agree on. Historians believe that the primary motive of Hans- George’s story change with what he chose to do after the war.

Post conflict, Henke joined the Communist Party and settles in East Germany. East German Communists thought that any person that had surrendered to the Americans during the war were a potential threat.

To not be exposed, Hans- Georg likely changed his story from being captured by America to being overrun by Russian forces. Henke lived in Eastern Germany only sharing this account until his death in 1997.