SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") in the Eastern Front with his "Wolchow" walking stick popularized by Wehrmacht higher commanders. A traditional Slavic craft made and presented to German officers, they were enhanced with emblems denoting the unit and often its notable engagements. The photo was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Ernst Baumann on 27 April 1944 a few kilometers west of the Polish (now Ukrainian) city of Kovel, during "Unternehmen ILSE" (Operation ILSE) which was designed to eliminate the remaining Soviet siege lines around Kovel. Kampfgruppe Gille was one of the maneuver elements taking part in the battle, along with the 131. Infanterie-Division.
Source :
"German Cross in Gold Holders of the SS and Police Volume 7 'Wiking': Adolph to Kempcke" by Mark C. Yerger
"Unternehmen Ilse" by Remy Spezzano and Douglas E. Nash
https://www.facebook.com/groups/222855636020791/posts/691415495831467
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