[wideawake]

In WWII the Wehrmacht and the US Army soldier carried comparatively little in the European theater because both had excellent logistics units operating over excellent infrastructure and, in the case of the Wehrmacht, over short internal lines.

Nowadays, as in medieval times, modern armies have to contend with primitive infrastructure since they aren't fighting in Western Europe, usually.

[Yorlik803]

The Soldaten didnt carry much because he didnt have much. Aside from this breadbag,E-tool{very handy for close quarter combat},canteen,ammo pouches and Zelt{ Shelter quarter which can be used for a rain poncho,very cool item}.
That Gas-can that held a gas mask was used to carry extra ammo, rations and other goodies. Often German soliders ditched the gas mask but could get in trouble if some Officer had a bug up his rear and checked. inside his tunic was a pocket for a bandage. Pretty basic and simple stuff.
You see soliders today carrying sleeping bags, sleeping mats and other nice to have but very heavy gear. Sometimes simple is better.