Herbert Otto Wilhelm Hermann Gille
Date of Birth: 08.03.1897 - Gandersheim am Harz, Braunschweig, Niedersachsen (German Empire)
Date of Death: 26.12.1966 - Stemmen über Hannover, Niedersachsen (West Germany)
Nickname: "Papa"
NSDAP-Number: 537.337 (Joined 01.05.1931)
SS-Number: 39.854 (Joined 10.10.1931)
Deutsche Heer: 01.09.1914 - 31.03.1919
Spouse: Sophie Charlotte Mennecke (married 03.01.1935)
Children: one daughter (born 09.10.1935)
Promotions:
01.09.1914 Fähnrich
27.01.1915 Leutnant
31.03.1919 Oberleutnant a. D.
10.10.1931 SS-Anwärter
25.09.1932 SS-Scharführer
27.01.1933 SS-Truppführer
20.04.1933 SS-Sturmführer
20.04.1935 SS-Obersturmführer
09.11.1935 SS-Hauptsturmführer
20.04.1937 SS-Sturmbannführer
19.10.1939 SS.Obersturmbannführer
30.01.1941 SS-Standartenführer
01.10.1941 SS-Oberführer
01.12.1942 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS (mit Wirkung vom 09.11.1942)
09.11.1943 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS
09.11.1944 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS
Career:
00.00.1903 - 00.00.1907 Bürgerschule in Gandersheim
00.00.1907 - 00.03.1909 Gymnasium in Braunschweig
00.04.1909 - 00.04.1914 Entered the Preußische Kadettenkorps, attending the Kadettenschule Bensburg-am-Rhein
00.04.1914 - 00.08.1914 Attended the Haupt-Kadettenanstalt Groß-Lichterfelde (graduated Obersekunda)
10.08.1914 - 28.12.1914 Entered service as Fähnrich, assign. to II.Abteilung / 2.Badische Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 30 (Rastatt)
29.12.1914 - 24.01.1919 Assigned to Reserve-Feldartillerie-Regiment 55 in 75. Reserve-Infanterie-Division based at Truppenübungsplatz Heuberg
27.01.1915 - 00.01.1917 Zugführer and Batterieoffizier in Reserve-Feldartillerie-Regiment 55
00.01.1917 - 24.01.1919 Führer 1.Batterie (until the regiment was disbanded)
25.01.1919 - 31.03.1919 Assigned to 2. Badischen Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 30.
31.03.1919 Discharged from active military service
01.04.1919 - 00.00.1920 Studied agricultural administration while gaining practical experience at the estate Bätzigerode bei Cassel
00.00.1920 - 00.00.1921 Administrator of the estate Bamhof
00.00.1921 - 00.00.1923 Administrator of the estate Abbesbuttel (near Meine)
00.00.1922 - 00.00.1926 Member of the ''Stahlhelm"-Bund
00.00.1923 - 00.00.1925 Inspector of an estate near Immendorf (in the vicinity of Salzgitter), then (for 8 months) of the estate Bährdorf bei Oebisflede near Magdeburg
00.00.1925 - Autumn 1927 Independent inspector for the private estate of Stemmen bei Hannover.
00.00.1928 - 00.00.1929 Independent inspector for the private estate of Poggenhagen bei Neustadt am Rübenberge (Steinhuder Meer).
00.00.1929 - 00.00.1931 Travelling salesman for the automotive factory Büsing-NAG Vereinigte Nutzkraftwagen, Braunschweig
00.00.1931 - 00.00.1933 Self-employed businessmau in the automotive field
25.01.1931 Sentenced to a 20 Reichsmark fine (with option of serving 4 days' jail time) for gambling
01.05.1931 Joined the NSDAP
10.10.1931 Joined the SS
30.09.1932 - 27.01.1933 Führer 5.Sturm / I.Sturmbann / 49.SS-Standarte (Braunschweig)
27.01.1933 - 20.04.1933 Führer Motorstaffel / 49.SS-Standarte
28.02.1933 - 00.03.1933 Temporary Führer of 49. SS-Standare. He ran this Standarte when its Führer, Friedrich Alpers, was suspended by the Abschnitt Führer Berthold Maack due to political intrigue in Braunschweig. Alpers was reinstated alter a short period
20.04.1933 - 09.04.1934 Stabsführer (nd.W.d.G.b.) of SS-Abschnitt IV (Braunschweig). Succeeded by Berthold Maack. Helmut Schöne acted as standing deputy from 12.10.1933, then officially assumed command from Gille
20.07.1933 Degraded and expelled from the SS and NSDAP due to 'parteizersetzenden Verhaltens" (conduct undermining to the [Nazi] Party)
20.07.1933 - 27.10.1933 Detained in the Braunschweig district prison for 14 weeks. As a supporter of Reichstag Vice-President Ernst Zörner, Gille was accused of involvement in Zörner's conspiracy against the Braunschweig Ministerpräsident, Dietrich Klagges. Interrogated on this matter by the Schutzpolizei on 09.11.1933, proceedings against him were dismissed when he declared that he was not a part of any secret circle against Dietrich Klagges. At his own request, his case was brought before a Party court on 14.02.1934. He was acquitted and readmitted to the NSDAP and SS at his original rank of SS-Sturmführer
09.04.1934 - 29.05.1934 Führer z.b.V. to II.Sturmbann / 49.SS-Standarte (Goslar)
29.05.1934 - 09.11.1935: Transferred to SS-Verfügungstruppen, assigned as Führer 11.Sturm / III.Sturmbann / SS-Standarte 1 (later redesignated SS-Standarte "Deutschland". Base: Ellwangen)
07.06.1934 - 14.08.1934 Detached to I.Sturmbann / SS-Standarte 2 / SS-Verfügungstruppen.
28.02.1935 - 07.08.1935 Attended Kompanieführer-Lehrgang (company commander training course) at the Infanterieschule Döberitz
09.11.1935 - 01.10.1936 Führer 12.Sturm / III.Sturmbann / SS-Standarte "Deutschland" (redesignated 19.Sturm / IV.Sturmbann / SS-Standarte 'Deutschland" when the unit expanded to four Sturmbanne on 01.07.1936).
01.07.1936 - 01.10.1936 Führer 19.Sturm (MG) / IV.Sturmbann / SS-Standarte "Deutschland" (Ellwangen). This was the old 12. Sturm renumbered; the old III. Sturmbann became IV. Sturmbann on 01.07.1936 and a new III. Sturmbann was formed. The old 12. Sturm became 19. Sturm and a new 12. Sturm was formed under August Zehender
01.10.1936 - 15.02.1937 Assigned as Major im Stab and Stabsführer of SS-Standarte "Germania". Succeeded by Werner Dörffler-Schuband
01.10.1936 - 25.11.1936 Führer III.Sturmbann / SS-Standarte "Gennania." Appointed as temporary commander following disciplinary problems in the unit. Gille reportedly acted with prompt and unmerciful severity during his brief assignment to this post. Succeeded Karl Meyer. Succeeded by Heinrich Köppen
01.02.1937 - 01.05.1939 Führer II.Sturmbann / SS-Standarte "Germania" (md.F.b. to 20.04.1937, then assumed permanent command). Succeeded Walter Krüger. Succeeded by Werner Dörffler-Schuband.
00.00.1937 - 00.00.1937 Lehrgang für Stabsoffiziere (training course for staff officers) at Heeressportschule Wesdorf
00.00.1937 - 00.00.1937 Gasschutzlehrgang (Gas Defense (training course) in Berlin
03.05.1938 - 12.05.1938 Bataillon-Kommandeur Lehrgang (battalion commander training course at Infanterieschule Döberitz
00.03.1939 - 01.06.1939 Assigned to the Formationsstab (formation staff) for the SS-Artillerie-Standarte / SS-Verfügungstruppe at Truppenübungsplatz Munsterlager (under SS-Obersturmbannführer Peter Hansen)
13.04.1939 - 16.05.1939 Attended an instructional course at the Artillerieschule Jüterbog
01.06.1939 - 15.11.1940 Kommandeur I.Sturmbann (schwere) / SS-Artillerie-Standarte ''V" (later redesignated I.Abteilung / SS-Artillerie-Regiment / SS-Verfügungstruppe (Jüterbog). He led this unit, attached to Panzer-Division "Kempf", during the Polish Campaign in September 1939 (for which he received the 1939 clasp to his World War I Iron Crosses). He also served as permanent deputy to the regiment commander, Peter Hansen, during this period. First holder of this post. Succeeded by Adolf Wunder.
15.11.1940 - 01.05.1943 Kommandeur SS-Artillerie-Regiment / SS-Division (mot.) "Germania" (redesignated SS-Division (mot.) "Wiking" on 21.12.1940 and to SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Wiking" on 09.09.1942). Regiment formed at Truppenübungsplatz Amersfoort in the Netherlands. Succeeded by Joachim Richter. While in this command, Gille proved to be an apolitical soldier who led from the front. One revealing instance of this is recounted by Heinz Höhne: "[Like Felix Steiner], Standartenführer Gille, Steiner's Artillery Commander, was also in the Reichsführer's bad books. Gille was an entirely non-political officer who would have nothing to do with ideology. To Obersturmbannführer [Ernst] Fick, the divisional ideological observer, he growled: `Wearing of the brown shirt is not permitted in this aristocratic artillery regiment. I'll put a clean-out squad into your room." (Höhne, The Order of the Death's Head, p. 544, citing letter from Fick to Karl Wolff, 27.01.1942, RFSS Microfilm 38) Although Fick reported this "disrespect" to the chief of Himmler's personal staff, Karl Wolff, Steiner ensured that there were no reprisals against Gille for his political unorthodoxy and evident dislike of Fick, a belief that Steiner apparently shared." (Douglas E. Nash, From the Realm of a Dying Sun, Volume 1)
01.02.1942 - 20.06.1942 Führer (m.d F.b.) SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Westland". Assigned to this post according to the Dienstlaufbahn in his SS personnel file, but this is not confirmed elsewhere in the file, nor in the postwar memoirs of Felix Steiner. If he did in fact hold this post, he succeeded Artur Phleps and was succeeded by Berthold Maack.
20.06.1942 - 31.07.1942 Kommandeur Korps-Artillerie of the SS-Generalkommando (SS Corps HQ), formed at Bergen-Fallingbostel. First holder of this new Korps artillery command. Succeeded by Curt Brasack.
31.07.1942 - 01.05.1943 Kommandeur SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Westland" / SS-Division (mot.) "Wiking" (redesignated SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Westland" / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Wiking" on 09.11.1942). Succeeded Berthold Maack. Succeeded by Paul Geisler
00.07.1942 - 00.10.1942 Kommandeur Kampfgruppe "Gille"(made up of elements from "Wiking" and 13. Panzer-Division). Involved in fighting around Rostov-on-Don; retained command of the “Wiking" Division Artillerie-Regiment during this period
22.11.1942 - 08.02.1943 Stellvertretender Führer SS-Panzergrenadier-Division ''Wiking" (under Felix Steiner)
01.05.1943 - 06.08.1944 Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking." Succeeded Felix Steiner. Actually leaving the Division on 20.07.1944, he was temporarily succeeded by SS-Standartenführer Dr. Eduard Deisenhofer, then permanently replaced by SS-Standartenführer Johannes Mühlenkamp. In an evaluation of 03.06.1944, Felix Steiner (then Kommandierender General of III. [Germanische] SS-Panzerkorps) wrote: "Purposeful and energetic personality. Calm, thoughtful, full of drive and energy. An old national socialist. A good Truppenführer who has a positive effect both educationally and in terms of training and aligns his Führerkorps according to the right criteria. Experienced practitioner with sound judgment, tried and tested and confident in divisional leadership. Especially reliable in a crisis. A very good artilleryman with extensive experience in the field of Panzer artillery. In larger contexts, he is not always able to put aside his own interest. and is then occasionally prone to unfruitful criticism. Fulfills his position as Division Commander to the maximum. Under certain conditions also suitable for a position at the next levet of service." (SS-Personalakte Gille)
16.03.1944 - 06.04.1944 Kommandant des ''Festen Platzes" Kowel. Succeeded Erich von dem Bach, who had been evacuated due to illness on 15.03.1944. On 16.03.1944, Gille arrived via Fieseler Fi 156 "Storch" in the encircled city of Kowel (northwestern Ukraine) and took command of a garrison composed mostly Wehrmacht troops, members of the Deutsche Reichsbahn, SS-Kavallerie-Regiment 17, as well as SS-Polizei and Gendarmerie troops. Marc Rikmenspoel writes: "Gille... organize(d) the defense of what was both an island in a swamp and a surrounded German strongpoint. Gille rallied the dejected, makeshift garrison, and energized them sufficiently to hold out until SS-Wiking and Heer armored units finally relieved the city on 5 April. (Rikmenspoel, Waffen-SS Encyclopedia, pp. 211-212)
From 15.03. to 06.04.1944, Gille and his ad hoc force defended an area of six square kilometers from continuous Soviet attacks They were ultimately saved by a relief attack made by 131. Infanterie-Division, 4. and 5. Panzer-Divisionen, and Kampfgruppe Richter comprising elements of "Wiking" (I.Abteilurg / SS¬Panzer-Regiment 5 and III.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Germania"). As a result of his leadership and personal bravery, Gille besame the first of only two Waffen-SS members to receive the Diamonds to the Knight's Cross with Oak Leave and Swords (personally presented by Hitler on 19.04.1944)
06.08.1944 - 08.05.1945 Kommandierender General IV. SS-Panzerkorps (actually arrived at Korps HQ on 20.07.1944)
08.05.1945 - 21.05.1948 captured by U.S. troops at Radstadt west of Wien and initially imprisoned at Salzburg
23.05.1945 transferred to Augsburg then to Dachau
00.00.1946 Lagerführer, War Criminals Camp Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen then Sandbostel, Fallingbostel,
00.06.1946 Nürnberg
21.05.1948 released, owner of a small bookstore in Stemmen/Niedersachsen
00.04.1949 tried by the Entnazifizierungs-Spruchkammer (de-Nazification court) in Hannover and sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment
00.00.1949 sentence revised and released due to the 3 years already done - categorized de-Nazification Category V reflecting his status as a minor offender
00.00.1950 active in the Waffen-SS veterans’ organization, HIAG and founded the "Wiking" Division veterans’ organization "Truppenkameradschaft Wiking e.V." - with Paul Hausser became members of its managing committee
00.11.1951 - 26.12.1966 founder and editor of the HIAG news organ "Wiking Ruf" later renamed "Der Freiwillige"
Awards and Decorations:
00.00.191_ 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
00.00.191_ 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
00.00.19__ Braunschweig Kriegverdienstkreuz 1914-1918 für Kämpfer II.Klasse
00.00.19__ Braunschweig Kriegverdienstkreuz 1914-1918 für Kämpfer I.Klasse
00.00.19__ Militärverdienstkreuz III.Klasse mit Schwertern
00.02.1934 Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer
00.00.1934 Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer 1914-1918
00.00.193_ SS-Zivilabzeichen
00.00.1935 SS-Dienstauszeichnung IV.Stufe (4 Jahre)
16.12.1935 Julleuchter der SS
00.00.1936 DRL-Sportabzeichen in Silber
01.12.1936 SA-Sportabzeichen in Silber
01.12.1936 Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
01.12.1937 SS-Ehrenring
01.12.1937 SA-Sportabzeichen in Bronze
00.00.1939 SS-Dienstauszeichnung III.Stufe (8 Jahre)
01.04.1939 Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP 10 Jahre
00.00.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
00.00.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
26.10.1939 1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
21.11.1939 1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
00.05.1941 Allgemeines-Sturmabzeichen
28.02.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (Vorschlag submitted by Div.-Kdr. Felix Steiner)
15.09.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)
00.00.1942 Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
08.10.1942 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as SS-Oberführer and Kommandeur SS-Artillerie Regiment 5 / SS-Division "Wiking" (motorisiert). Gille’s Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows: “Following the crossing of the Don river SS-Oberführer Gille led the Division’s Vorausabteilung as far as the Kuban. On the 28.07.1942 this unit engaged fleeing enemy columns near Seljonaja Roschtscha (south of the Don), smashing these and thereafter continuing the attack as far as Rakowo Tawritscheski even as it was getting dark. By doing so it prevented the enemy from retreating towards the south. On the following day Oberführer Gille and his Vorausabteilung ejected strong elements of the 31st Rifle Division from their positions just to the south of Rakowo Tawritscheski and proceeded to capture the decisive and well-defended villages of Beswodnij and Andronoff. The enemy positions were broken through, and the unit commenced a bold thrust towards Metschetinskaja while disregarding the strong enemy elements along both open flanks. This village was likewise attacked as darkness fell and captured via an enveloping attack. Among the prisoners were members of 10 different divisions of the enemy’s 12th Army as well as parts of the Army’s HQ that had fled to Metschetinskaja as a result of the thrust on the afternoon of the 29.07.1942. On the 30.07.1942 the village of Jegorlikskaja was taken, and those elements of the 12th Army that had been deployed for defense there were thrown back. The rearward services of the 31st rifle division were ratted out and Sredny Jegolyk was reached in the late evening. After this the commander of a Zerstörergeschwader (Major Giesing) landed beside the Vorausabteilung. He alerted the Vorausabteilung to the fact that it was far ahead of all elements of the neighbouring Armee (17. Armee) and that uncounted numbers of Russians were moving around in its flanks and rear. On that same night the enemy attacked Ssredny Jegorlyk from the west with numerous tank and infantry forces (the latter including a motorized brigade) in order to destroy the Vorausabteilung. However they were repulsed with heavy losses. The counterthrust by newly arrived elements of the 14th Tank Corps was smashed. With this forward thrust, Gille’s Vorausabteilung significantly aided the forward movement of the 17. Armee’s eastern wing (namely the 125. Infanterie-Division), which was staggered to the west and rear. The Vorausabteilung also facilitated the secure march of the 13. Panzer-Division as it advanced behind Gefechtsgruppe Gille on the other flank, specifically in an easterly thrust towards Salsk. On the 01.08.1942 Oberführer Gille ejected the 21st motorized rifle brigade from the area around Belaja Glina in hard close combat, captured the village and continued its thrust towards Dimitrijewka during the same night. This bold and ruthless thrust deep into the enemy by Gille’s Vorausabteilung meant that the Kuban river was very swiftly approached, and the Division was thereby able to successfully reach and cross the river on the 03.08.1942. In all of this combat Oberführer Gille almost always led from the frontline, giving his men an example of energy and spirit as he did so. He continued to demand ruthless action from his men even during the night, inspiring them all the way through his personal devotion to duty and contagious impulse. He enabled: a) The swift advance of the neighbouring east wing of the 17. Armee. b) The smooth transition of the 13. Panzer-Division’s advance towards the east by throwing back those enemy forces to the latter unit’s front. c) The swift attainment of the Kuban river. He captured the following prisoners and booty: 8283 prisoners, 28 artillery pieces, and 18 anti-tank guns. He made a decisive contribution through his harshness, focus and ruthlessness. His actions facilitated the smooth flow of friendly operations south of the Don and the reaching of the Kuban river from the north in an unexpectedly short time. In all of these engagements he has never shied from getting personally involved in the combat. Without this demeanour such a decisive success would have been unthinkable. He has thereby fulfilled the requirements for the awarding of the Knight’s Cross. This is being advocated for here. Gille has served at the frontline without pause since 1939. He has distinguished himself as an Abteilung and regimental commander on every day of the fighting in Poland, the West and the East. He also bears the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold.” Vorschlag dated 18.09.1942 and signed by Div.-Kdr. Felix Steiner.
06.03.1943 Vapaudenristin 1.luokka (Finnish Cross of Liberty), with Swords
01.11.1943 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #315, as SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS and Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Wiking". Gille’s Eichenlaub recommendation reads as follows: “SS-Brigadeführer Gille took over acting command of the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. Wiking in October 1942. In May 1943 he was named commander of this SS-Division. He was awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross for his successes as leader of a Vorausabteilung during the offensive battles of summer 1942 in the Caucasus. In the recent fighting SS-Brigadeführer Gille has decisively intervened in the combat along the southern front on several occasions through the outstanding leadership of his Division. He has distinguished himself through his confident and energetic leadership, his swift and superior issuing of orders and above all through his personal example and determination. His outstanding personal bravery in the foremost line was often the deciding factor in resolving situations both dangerous and critical alike. It is primarily to his credit that his Division has been able to perform as well as it has over the course of numerous battles in the thick of combat on the southern front. Throughout this time it has shown true devotion to duty and earned the respect of its comrades in the Heer. It has been named several times in the Heeresbericht and in the press due to its exemplary achievements on the battlefield. And to this day it continues to hold a sector of over 25 km wide on the Dnieper river despite having been employed in heavy fighting for two years. All of this is thanks to the tireless readiness for duty, responsibility and dutifulness of its commander. A breakdown of the Division’s success under the leadership of SS-Brigadeführer Gille are attached to this document as an addendum.” 315th Award. Vorschlag dated 30.10.1943 and signed by Reichsführer-SS Himmler; Personally presented by Hitler at Führer HQ “Wolfsschanze” on 13.11.1943.
00.00.1944 SS-Dienstauszeichnung II.Stufe (12 Jahre)
20.02.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub uns Schwertern #47, as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS and Kommandeur 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking". Awarded for the extremely distinguished leadership of his Division during the breakout from the Cherkassy pocket. In this time his Division was the spearhead of the German forces trapped within the pocket, and it played an invaluable role in allowing the encircled troops to escape. Immediate award, personally presented by Hitler at Führer HQ”Wolfsschanze” on 21.02.1944.
06.04.1944 Mentioned in Wehrmachtbericht
19.04.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwerter und Brillanten #12, as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS and Kommandeur 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking". Gille’s Brillanten recommendation reads as follows: “The weeks-long, heroic defense of the totally encircled Fortress Kovel despite the greatest of supply difficulties and significant losses against a much superior enemy is solely attributable to the determined leadership and great personal bravery of the General [Gille]. This recommendation is being sent as a radio message due to the situation at the front. A written submission will follow.” Vorschlag dated 09.04.1944 and signed by Korps Kom. Gen. General der Infanerie Friedrich Hossbach; Countersigned by Armee OB Generaloberst Walter Weiβ, Heeresgruppe OB Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch, and on 19.04.1944 by by Reichsführer-SS Himmler.
02.09.1944 Mentioned in Wehrmachtbericht
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Born in Gandersheim, Herbert Otto Gille (March 8, 1897 – December 26, 1966) began his military career as a first lieutenant in the artillery branch during the First World War and won the Iron Cross First and Second Classes. He left the army in 1919 and remained a civilian working in agriculture and as a car dealer until 1931 when he joined the Nazi Party and the SS.
On January 3, 1935, Gille married 31-year-old Sophie Charlotte Mennecke
and they had together one daughter (born on October 9, 1935).
In 1934 he was re-activated by the SS combat support forces. He became a Company Commander in Ellwangen, then a Battalion Commander of the SS regiment Germania in Arolsen. He later served as the commander of an artillery unit in Jueterbog. As the commander of the 1st Battalion of the SS-V Artillery Regiment Gille participated in the invasion of Poland and in the western campaign. In 1940 he took over the artillery regiment of the 5th SS Panzer Division, led by SS Obergruppenführer Felix Steiner.
After the assault on the Soviet Union, Gille, as a leader of an advance guard, reached the Kuban and received the Knight's Cross on 8 October 1942. Shortly thereafter he took command of the Wiking Division (5th SS Panzer Division) on the Eastern Front. Early in 1944, Gille was instrumental in the withdrawal of his command and others of the encircled Group Stemmermann through "Hells Gate" during the Korsun cauldron encirclement, also known as the Cherkassy Pocket. The Soviets greatly outnumbered the German forces but they failed to cut off their retreat, though they were able to inflict serious damage on the German formations. Gille received the diamonds in addition to his Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords on 19 April 1944. Shortly after his escape from the Cherkassy Pocket, Gille and members of his staff were flown into the encircled town of Kovel to organize its defense. Under Gille's steady leadership the mixed army and Waffen SS units maintained a vigorous defense until the siege was raised by approaching German units from the West.
His troops stood strong on the East Prussia border with the 3rd SS Panzer Division and prevented the planned Soviet breakthrough to Berlin in the autumn of 1944 destroying large numbers of Soviet tanks. In January 1945 Gille, as leader of the IV SS Panzer Corps comprising the 3rd and 5th SS Panzer Divisions, was sent to Hungary to attempt to relieve the encircled city of Budapest. However, his troops were unable to break through to the city. In March 1945 he led the IV SS Panzer Corps in the failed Lake Balaton Offensive and following the Soviet counter-offensive his corps was forced to retreat into Austria.
When the end of war was clear, he marched towards the U.S. troops in order to avoid surrendering to Soviet forces. He was held by the U.S. for three years, and released in May 1948.
Despite being an early Nazi Party member, Gille was known for his apolitical views. The author Heinz Höhne in The Order under the Death Head characterized Gille as an enigma and "Nur-Soldat" (soldier – nothing else) who once threatened a newly assigned Weltanschauungsoffizier (political indoctrination officer) with a clean-out squad to gather his uniforms and other possessions and throw them and the officer out of the unit.
Gille was highly regarded for his leadership qualities and tactical abilities. He commanded Waffen-SS units at the regiment, division and corps level with distinction during the war. Gille was popular with his men and admired for his personal bravery. He was well known for the unusual walking-stick he carried.
After the war he worked for a newspaper until 1958. He also owned a small bookshop. In the early 1950s, Gille became active in HIAG, a lobby group and a revisionist veteran's organisation founded by former high-ranking Waffen-SS personnel in West Germany to campaign for their legal, economic and historical rehabilitation. Gille, alongside Felix Steiner, Otto Kumm and Paul Hausser, became an early leading figure within HIAG. In 1951 Gille launched the periodical Wiking-Ruf ("Viking Call"). Initially it was aimed at the veterans of the SS Division Wiking. Within its first year of existence, in 1952, it became the official publication of HIAG and was eventually renamed to Der Freiwillige ("The Volunteer").
Gille faced his share of controversy with the organisation. In 1952, HIAG held its first major meeting in Verden. It began respectably, with Gille announcing that the veterans were ready to 'do their duty for the Fatherland' and Steiner declaring support for 'freedom, order and justice'. But the next speaker delivered a different message. Former paratroop general Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke, who had been invited to demonstrate so-called solidarity with the Wehrmacht, condemned the Western Allies as the 'real war criminals' and insisted that the blacklist on which all former SS members then stood would soon become "a list of honor". The outburst caused a furor within West Germany. Periodicals as far as the U.S. and Canada carried headlines Hitler's Guard Cheers Ex-chief and Rabble-Rousing General Is Worrying the Allies, with the latter article reporting that Ramcke's speech had been greeted with "roars of approval and cries 'Eisenhower, Schweinehund!' ("Eisenhower, pig-dog")."
Internal disagreements began to emerge within HIAG in the mid-1950s as to the stance of the organisation: Steiner and Gille favored a more political, outspoken orientation, while the rest of the leadership favored a moderate approach so that not to jeopardize HIAG's goals of legal and economic rehabilitation, which, in their opinion, could only come from the establishment.[Gille was the founder of a magazine for veterans of the Wiking division, "Wiking Ruf".
On 26 December 1966 Herbert Otto Gille died of a heart attack in Stemmen, near Hannover. He was also buried at the local cemetery in Stemmen. However, his grave no longer exists.
Members
of the SS-Standarte "Germania" with their commanders sat at the front.
From left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Werner Dörffler-Schuband
(Kommandeur I.Sturmbann / SS-Standarte "Germania", based in
Hamburg-Veddel), SS-Sturmbannführer Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur
II.Sturmbann / SS-Standarte "Germania", headquartered in Arolsen),
SS-Standartenführer Karl Maria Demelhuber (Kommandeur SS-Standarte
"Germania"), and SS-Obersturmbannführer Heinrich Koeppen (Kommandeur
III.Sturmbann / SS-Standarte "Germania", headquartered in Radolfzell).
This photo was taken by Heinz Hillebrecht in Nuremberg on 5-12 September
1938 during the Reichsparteitag (Reich Party Day). This was the second
participation of SS-Standarte "Germania" in the annual event, after the
first one a year earlier. Now this photo is in the private collection of
Markus Wolter.
A
rare picture showing SS-Standartenführer Herbert Otto Gille as the
Kommandeur of SS-Artillerie-Regiment / SS-Division "Wiking"
(motorisiert) with his medal bars. The picture was taken in 1941,
possibly before Operation Barbarossa (German invasion of Soviet Union).
The medal bars are, from left to right: 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
(Iron Cross 2nd class), Österreichisches Militärverdienstkreuz
III.Klasse (Austrian Military Merit Cross 3rd class), Braunschweigisches
Kriegsverdienstkreuz II.Klasse (Brunswick War Merit Cross 2nd class),
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer 1914-1918 (Cross of Honor for Front Fighters
1914-1918), Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938 (Anschluss
Medal), and Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 (Sudetenland
Medal). The two decorations below the bars are Braunschweig
Kriegverdienstkreuz I.Klasse (Brunswick War Merit Cross 1st class) and
1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse (1939 clasp for 1914 Iron
Cross 1st class).
From
left to right: SS-Standartenführer Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur
SS-Artillerie-Regiment 5 / SS-Division "Wiking"), Lieutenant-General
Harald Öhquist (representative of the Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish
Armed Forces at the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), SS-Brigadeführer und
Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Felix Steiner (Kommandeur SS-Division
"Wiking"), Major Esko Riekki (former head of the Finnish Secret Police
who became the main organizer for the recruitment of the Finnish SS
volunteer legion), and SS-Hauptsturmführer Friedrich Meyer (Adjutant
Kommandeur SS-Artillerie-Regiment 5 / SS-Division "Wiking"). While the
majority of the "Finnische Legion" was still undergoing training in
Gross Born (Germany), around 200 volunteers with combat experience were
first distributed to different units of the Wiking Division. This caused
unrest among these veteran volunteers, as they wanted to be gathered in
the same unit, and they also thought that some German officers and
non-commissioned officers had underestimated their abilities. To quell
this unrest, Öhquist was brought to Wiking's operational area in Russia.
During his four-day visit, the Finnish general took in the grievances
of his compatriots and got a close look at their welfare conditions. The
photo was taken between 27-30 August 1941, possibly near near
Dnjepropetrovsk. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
SS-Gruppenführer
und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Felix Steiner (center) together with
his subordinates from the SS-Division "Wiking" (motorisiert). The
officer to the right of Steiner, wearing glasses, are SS-Oberführer
Herbert-Otto Gille (Kommandeur SS-Artillerie Regiment 5 "Wiking").
Between Steiner and Gille is probably SS-Obersturmbannführer Paul
Geisler (Kommandeur SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Westland"), while the one
standing to the far right behind behind Gille is probably
SS-Standartenführer Dr.-med. Gerd Unbehaun (Divisionsarzt SS-Division
"Wiking"). This photo itself was most likely taken in the spring of
1942.
From
left to right: Prime Minister Vidkun Quisling (leader of the
German-formed Norwegian puppet government), SS-Gruppenführer und
Generalleutnant der Polizei Wilhelm Rediess (Höhere SS und Polizeiführer
"Nord"), SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Felix
Steiner (Kommandeur SS-Division "Wiking"), and SS-Oberführer
Herbert-Otto Gille (Kommandeur SS-Artillerie-Regiment 5 / SS-Division
"Wiking"). Barely visible behind Quisling is Sverre Parelius Riisnæs
(Norwegian Minister of Justice). This picture was taken at Kalinovo,
Uspenskaya, May 1942. Quisling had traveled all the way from Norway to
get a close-up look at the conditions of his country's SS volunteers in
the SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Nordland" / SS-Division "Wiking"
(motorisiert). He walks through a Soviet village to the Norwegian
volunteers' assembly point.
SS-Oberführer
Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur SS-Artillerie-Regiment / SS-Division
"Wiking") in 1942. Regiment formed at Truppenübungsplatz Amersfoort in
the Netherlands in 1940.
While in this command, Gille proved to be
an apolitical soldier who led from the front. One revealing instance of
this is recounted by Heinz Höhne: "[Like Felix Steiner],
Standartenführer Gille, Steiner's Artillery Commander, was also in the
Reichsführer's bad books. Gille was an entirely non-political officer
who would have nothing to do with ideology. To Obersturmbannführer
[Ernst] Fick, the divisional ideological observer, he growled: `Wearing
of the brown shirt is not permitted in this aristocratic artillery
regiment. I'll put a clean-out squad into your room." (Höhne, The Order of the Death's Head,
p. 544, citing letter from Fick to Karl Wolff, 27.01.1942, RFSS
Microfilm 38) Although Fick reported this "disrespect" to the chief of
Himmler's personal staff, Karl Wolff, Steiner ensured that there were no
reprisals against Gille for his political unorthodoxy and evident
dislike of Fick, a belief that Steiner apparently shared." (Douglas E.
Nash, From the Realm of a Dying Sun, Volume 1).
Commanders
of the first four Waffen-SS division engaged in conversation during the
lull of the fighring in the Eastern Front. From left to right:
SS-Oberführer Hermann Priess (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division
"Totenkopf"), SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Herbert
Otto Gille (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Wiking"),
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Walter Krüger
(Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich"), and
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Josef "Sepp" Dietrich
(Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf
Hitler'). The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Weill on 7 June
1943.
Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) received two officers from 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking" who had just awarded the Eichenlaub for their Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes. In this picture - taken at the Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia, in November 1943 - the Führer shakes hands with SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Dorr (Kommandeur I.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Germania" / 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"), while at left stands SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"). Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") in a picture taken in early 1944. Some source (like this one) claims that this picture was taken on 21 February 1942, which is not possible because since 20 February 1944 Gille was already received the Schwerter for his Ritterkreuz, while in this picture he is still wearing the Eichenlaub.
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") awarded the Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse to Waffen-Untersturmführer der SS Hando "Tou" Ruus (16 May 1917 - 31 March 1945) of Bataillon "Narwa". Born Harald-Ferdinand Ruhs, he was a former member of the Estonian military who preferred to escape to the forest rather than join the Red Army shortly after his country was annexed by the Soviet Union. The German invasion of his country's invader was an opportunity for Ruus to join the SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier Bataillon Narwa. He fought bravely in every action his unit undertook, including when he became commander of Battalion "Narwa" after all of the officers above him were killed or wounded! In September 1944 he was captured by the enemy after his battalion was surrounded. Later he was sent to Leningrad and was reportedly executed there on March 31, 1945. With the final rank of Waffen-Hauptsturmführer der SS (August 1944), Ruus was the only Estonian Wehrmacht volunteer to be awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (December 30, 1944).
SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle (left, Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien") and SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") during the Battle of Cherkassy Pocket (24 January – 16 February 1944). This picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Briessa with the original press photo caption as follow: "Zu den Durchbruckskämpfen westlich Tscherkassy. Die für die erfolgreichen Durchbruchskämpfe westlich Tscherkassy Ausgezeichneten. Im Vordergrund der vom Führer mit den Schwertern zum Eichenlaub des Ritterkreuzes ausgezeichneten SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Gille und der mit dem Ritterkreuz ausgezeichnete SS-Hauptsturmführer Leon Degrelle." (On the breakthrough battles west of Cherkasy. Those awarded for the successful breakthrough battles west of Cherkasy. In the foreground, SS-Gruppenführer and Lieutenant General of the Waffen-SS Herbert Gille, who was awarded the Swords to the Oak Leaves of the Knight's Cross by the Führer, and SS-Hauptsturmführer Leon Degrelle, who was awarded the Knight's Cross).
Award ceremony with Hitler for the three "Cherkassy Heroes" who led their men escaping from the Red Army encirclement in Korsun-Cherkassy pocket (24 January - 16 February 1944). The ceremony was held at Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia, on 20 February 1944. The recipients are: Generalleutnant Theobald "Theo-Helmut" Lieb (Kommandierender General XXXXII. Armeekorps), SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"), and SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle (Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien"). Lieb received both the Ritterkreuz (7 February 1944) and Eichenlaub (18 February 1944) at the same time; Gille received the Schwerter (20 February 1944); while Degrelle received the Ritterkreuz (20 February 1944). The award ceremony was attended by the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler (Chef der SS und deutschen Polizei) and SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Hermann Fegelein (Verbindungsoffizier der Waffen-SS zum Führerhauptquartier).
Adolf
Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) congratulates
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille
(Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") during the award ceremony
for "Cherkassy Heroes" which were held at the Führerhauptquartier
Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia, on 20 February 1944. At left
is another recipient, SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle
(Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien"), while at right
is SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Hermann Fegelein
(Verbindungsoffizier der Waffen-SS zum Führerhauptquartier) and
Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler (Chef der SS und deutschen Polizei). Other pictures from this ceremony can be seen HERE.
SS-Gruppenführer
und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille
(Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") photographed by
Presse-Illustrationen Heinrich Hoffmann at the Führerhauptquartier
Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia, after the Schwerter award
ceremony for the "Heroes of Cherkassy" with Hitler on 20 February 1944.
The medal was formally awarded on the same day for the extremely
distinguished leadership of his division during the breakout from the
Cherkassy pocket. In this time his division was the spearhead of the
German forces trapped within the pocket, and it played an invaluable
role in allowing the encircled troops to escape.
Three
"Heroes of Cherkassy" with SS-Obergruppenführer Dr.rer.pol. Otto
Dietrich (right, Reichspressechef der NSDAP). From left to right:
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille
(Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"), Generalleutnant Theobald
"Theo-Helmut" Lieb (Kommandierender General XXXXII. Armeekorps), and
SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle (Kommandeur 5.
SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien". The picture was taken by the
unknown photographer from Presse-Illustrationen Heinrich Hoffmann at the
Reichspropagandaministerium in Berlin on 21 February 1944, one
day after the award ceremony at the Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in
Rastenburg, East Prussia.
Reichsführer-SS
Heinrich Himmler (Chef der SS und deutschen Polizei) sharing a lighter
moment with two of the "Cherkassy Heroes" from Waffen-SS:
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille
(left, Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") and
SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle (right, Kommandeur 5.
SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien"). The picture was taken by the
unknown photographer from Presse-Illustrationen Heinrich Hoffmann on 21
February 1944, one
day after the award ceremony at the Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in
Rastenburg, East Prussia.
SS-Gruppenführer
und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5.
SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") photographed by Kriegsberichter Etzhold
(Propaganda-Kompanie 670) in his office in the Eastern Front, 21 March
1944. In his neck is the Schwerter zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
mit Eichenlaub which he received on 20 February 1944, while in his
uniform is Deutsches Kreuz in Gold which he received on 28 February
1942.
SS-Gruppenführer
und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5.
SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") was awarded the Schwerter to his
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 20 February 1944 for his division’s
role in the Cherkassy break-out. He poses with them here. Two months
later, on April 19, Gille won the highly prestigious Brillanten after
flying into surrounded Kovel and organizing its successful defense. This
picture was taken from the book "Knight's Cross Winners of the Waffen
SS' by Marc Rikmenspoel.
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.
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert-Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") is watching friendly bombers flying in the sky, which are flying to bomb the Soviet positions, in an observation trench outside the besieged Kovel, 27 April 1944. Gille flew into the encircled Polish city of Kovel to command its forces while Wiking and Heer units fought to the rescue. In the fortress, he requested assistance from the Luftwaffe, since a lengthy defense of the city would not be possible without supply from the air. The Fernglas (binoculars) he used in this photo are not Germans, and it looks like it was ex-WW1 French-made (probably made by Chevalier, Verdi, Huet, or Jumelle). Photo by SS-Kriegsberichter Alois Jarolim.
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert-Otto Gille (left, Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") is watching friendly bombers flying in the sky, which are flying to bomb the Soviet positions, in an observation trench outside the besieged Kovel, 27 April 1944. The Fernglas (binoculars) he used in this photo are not Germans, and it looks like it was ex-WW1 French-made (probably made by Chevalier, Verdi, Huet, or Jumelle). SS-Obersturmführer Hermann Kaufmann (centre, adjutant Divisionskommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") also used a non-standard 10x50 binoculars (like Carl Zeiss), although they are from more modern type. The third officer with binoculars at right (cropped) is SS-Sturmbannführer Franz Hack (Kommandeur III.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 9 "Germania" / 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"). Photo by SS-Kriegsberichter Alois Jarolim. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
Brillanten award ceremony for SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"). Gille formally received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwerter und Brillanten #12 on 19 April 1944, while the ceremony with Hitler itself was held in the Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze, Rastenburg, on 29 April 1944. Gille’s Brillanten recommendation reads as follows: "The weeks-long, heroic defense of the totally encircled Fortress Kovel despite the greatest of supply difficulties and significant losses against a much superior enemy is solely attributable to the determined leadership and great personal bravery of the General [Gille]. This recommendation is being sent as a radio message due to the situation at the front. A written submission will follow.” The Vorschlag dated 9 April 1944 and signed by Korpskommandeur General der Infanterie Friedrich Hossbach; Countersigned by Armee Oberbefehlshaber Generaloberst Walter Weiβ, Heeresgruppe Oberbefehlshaber Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch, and on 19 April 1944 by by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler.
A picture of Herbert Otto Gille as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS with the Brillanten medal, belong to author Mark C. Yerger. Signed in the late 1950s at his book shop, was Herbert Gille's favorite image of himself. Those who came to the shop got such larger size examples (to big for a standard letter envelope) with the same in a smaller size going to those who wrote him. Signed with his preferred color fountain pen. Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes and Deutsches Kreuz in Gold, he is the most combat decorated Waffen-SS officer, along with Sepp Dietrich.
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (left, Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") in conversation with a grenadier from Heer (Army) who was wounded during the defensive fighting in Kovel, Ukraine. This picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Alois Jarolim on 2 May 1944 and was first published on 18 May 1944.
SS-Gruppenführer
und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5.
SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") presenting the Ritterkreuz to
SS-Sturmbannführer Franz Hack (Kommandeur III.Bataillon /
SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 9 "Germania" / 5.SS-Panzer-Division
"Wiking"), 14 May 1944. On the left of the photo (not visible) is the
future Ritterkreuzträger Paul Senghas. Other pictures from this ceremony can be seen HERE.
Commanders’
Conference of 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking", 17 July 1944.
Divisionskommandeur Gille (seated) gave the orders for a rescue attempt
for a Wehrmacht battalion surrounded by Russian forces. His subordinate
officers listened attentively. There was a look of tension on their
faces as they shifted closer to hear the Divisionskommandeur give the
orders that would move the Wiking regiments to the battle front. From
left to right: SS-Obersturmführer Fritz Wolf (Adjutant Kommandeur
SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 "Wiking"), SS-Sturmbannführer Paul Kümmel
(Kommandeur I.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 "Wiking"),
SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Bünning (wearing M43 SS-Tropenuniform
"Sahariana", Kommander SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 5 "Wiking");
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille
(Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"), SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans
Dorr (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Germania"), and
SS-Sturmbannführer Günther Sitter (Kommandeur II.Bataillon /
SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Westland"). The picture was taken by
SS-Kriegsberichter Ernst Baumann in the Kamieniec-Litewski region,
Belarus. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
Herbert
Otto Gille as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS. He
was highly regarded for his leadership qualities and tactical abilities.
He commanded Waffen-SS units at the regiment, division and corps level
with distinction during the war. Gille was popular with his men and
admired for his personal bravery. Despite being an early Nazi Party
member, Gille was known for his
apolitical views. The author Heinz Höhne in The Order under the Death
Head characterized Gille as an enigma and "Nur-Soldat" (soldier –
nothing else) who once threatened a newly assigned
Weltanschauungsoffizier (political indoctrination officer) with a
clean-out squad to gather his uniforms and other possessions and throw
them and the officer out of the unit.
Lagebesprechung (briefing) between two Brillantenträger from Heer and
Waffen-SS. From left to right: Generalfeldmarschall Walter Model
(Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte), SS-Gruppenführer and
Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandierender
General IV. SS-Panzerkorps), unknown Oberleutnant, and
SS-Hauptsturmführer Werner Westphal (acting Ia Operation Officer IV.
SS-Panzerkorps). The picture was taken on 28 July 1944 when Model made
his first visit to Gille's HQ in Rogów, Poland, within days of the
activation of his SS-Panzerkorps. They were then planning the armor
counterstrike that became known as the Tank Battle of Praga. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
Generalleutnant
Dietrich von Saucken (center, Kommandierender General XXXIX.
Panzerkorps), confers with SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (left, Kommandierender General IV.
SS-Panzerkorps) and his chief of staff, SS-Obersturmbannführer Manfred
Schönfelder (right) during the opening stages of the tank battle at
Praga, 31 July 1944. The
picture is Courtesy of Günther Lange Archive and was taken from the book
"From the Realm of a Dying Sun (Volume
1): IV. SS-Panzerkorps and the Battles for Warsaw, July-November 1944"
by Douglas E. Nash.
From left to right: SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (left, Kommandierender General IV.
SS-Panzerkorps), General der Panzertruppe Nikolaus von Vormann
(Oberbefehlshaber 9. Armee), and Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt
(Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte). Between 30 July - December 1944,
IV. SS-Panzerkorps were subordinated to 9. Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte.
This
picture was taken between July-November 1944. From left to right:
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille
(Kommandierender General IV. SS-Panzerkorps), SS-Untersturmführer
Günther Lange (O5 Aide de Camp Kommandierender General IV.
SS-Panzerkorps), and SS-Sturmbannführer Karl-Willy Schulze (Adjutant
Kommandierender General IV. SS-Panzerkorps). Lange is holding a
situation map for his corps commander. He had been serving as a platoon
leader in the 2nd Battalion of SS Panzer Regiment 5 until he was
selected to replace Hermann Kaufmann as Gille's O5. After the war, Lange
returned to his art studio and earned a master's degree equivalent in
art, while pursuing a career as an officer in the Bundeswehr, where he
finally retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of service. The
picture was taken from the book "From the Realm of a Dying Sun (Volume
1): IV. SS-Panzerkorps and the Battles for Warsaw, July-November 1944"
by Douglas E. Nash.
As
part of his normal duties, SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandierender General IV.
SS-Panzerkorps) made it a point to visit every division command post at
least once a day. In this photograph, taken in early August 1944, Gille
(left) is speaking to SS-Oberführer Helmuth Becker (center, Kommandeur
3. SS-Panzer-Division "Totenkopf"). Behind Becker stands two of his key
officers, SS-Obersturmbannführer Josef Swientek (Kommandeur
SS-Artillerie-Regiment 3 "Totenkopf") and SS-Obersturmbannführer Erich
Eberhardt (Ia Operations Officer 3. SS-Panzer-Division "Totenkopf"). On
the right, with map board slung over his shoulder, is
SS-Untersturmführer Günther Lange, Gille’s new O5 Begleitoffizier.
From
left to right: SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS
Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandierender General IV. SS-Panzerkorps),
SS-Standartenführer Josef Swientek (Kommandeur
SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 3 / 3.SS-Panzer-Division “Totenkopf”), and
SS-Standartenführer Johannes-Rudolf Mühlenkamp (Führer 5.
SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"). This photo was taken in August 1944 on the
Eastern Front. At that time Gille's SS-Panzerkorps was in charge of the
Totenkopf and Wiking Divisions. The
picture is Courtesy of Günther Lange Archive and was taken from the book
"From the Realm of a Dying Sun (Volume
1): IV. SS-Panzerkorps and the Battles for Warsaw, July-November 1944"
by Douglas E. Nash.%20and%20his%20Chief%20of%20Staff,%20Manfred%20Schoenfelder%20(center).jpg)
In
this picture, SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (right, Kommandierender General IV.
SS-Panzerkorps) and his Chief of Staff, SS-Obersturmbannführer Manfred
Schönfelder (center) speak with the new First General Staff Officer (Ia)
of the 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking", German Army Major im Generalstab
Otto Kleine. This photo was taken early August 1944 by
SS-Untersturmführer Günther Lange, Gille’s new O5 Begleitoffizier.
This
photo was taken by SS-Untersturmführer Günther Lange (O5 aide-de-camp
Kommandierender General IV. SS-Panzerkorps) in mid-August 1944 east of
Warsaw, and it depicts a conversation between SS-Gruppenführer und
Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille, who had been elevated
to the position of commander of the IV SS Panzer Corps, and
SS-Obersturmbannführer Fritz Darges (Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 /
5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"). Gille's pet dog "Strolch" can be seen in
the foreground. Gille's dog survived the war, but what became of him
afterwards is unknown. An enlisted man adopted him while the division
was in its first camp shortly after the surrender but after that? No
other information available. Lange escamped from the POW camp and of
course Gille was taken into custody by duplicitous means and didn't have
his dog with him at the time.
From
left to right: General der Panzertruppe Nikolaus von Vormann
(Oberbefehlshaber 9. Armee) and SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandierender General IV.
SS-Panzerkorps). The picture was taken in the period between
August-September 1944, when IV. SS-Panzerkorps were under the command of
9. Armee. Gille is wearing the Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen
Kreuzes in his neck, which he received on 19 April 1944.
This
photo of (from L to R) SS-Obersturmbannführer Manfred Schönfelder (Chef
des Stabes IV. SS-Panzerkorps), SS-Obergruppenführer und General der
Waffen-SS Herbert-Otto Gille (Kommandierender General IV.
SS-Panzerkrosp), and SS-Obersturmführer Günter Jahnke (1.
Ordonnansoffizier 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") was taken in November
or December 1944 outside of the Modlin Fortress, Poland. The forward
command post of the IV. SS-Panzerkorps was located in the fortress from
mid-October to late December 1944.
On 9 November 1944, SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandierender General IV. SS-Panzerkorps) dedicated the new Soldatenfriedhof (wartime cemetery) in Modlin, Poland. In addition to the ceremony itself, a reception was held shortly afterwards inside the Modlin Fortress. Besides Gille, in attendance were the commanders of the Totenkopf and Wiking Divisions, their staffs, and various local dignitaries from the German administration of occupied Poland. This picture shows Korpskommandeur Gille (center) views the newly-dedicated ceremony. To the immediate right of Gille stands SS-Standartenführer Karl Ullrich, the commander of the Wiking Division. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
Polish
Front, January 1945: While holding a wolchowstock (the walking stick
for German officers and non-commissioned officers typical of the Eastern
Front), SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto
Gille (Kommandierender General IV. SS-Panzerkorps) chatted with SS-
Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Hellmuth Becker (Kommandeur
3. SS-Panzer-Division "Totenkopf") who was under his command. Far left
behind Gille is SS-Sturmbannführer Adolf Pittschellis (Führer
SS-Panzer-Regiment 3 / 3.SS-Panzer-Division "Totenkopf") who would later
be killed in battle on January 26, 1945, just a few days after this
photo was taken! BTW, the Ärmelstreifen (cufftitle) attached to Becker's
arm is different from the ärmelstreifen commonly worn by other
Totenkopf Division personnel. The ärmelstreifen bearing the skull was a
sign that the wearer was a former member of the SS-Totenkopfstandard
"Oberbayern" in Dachau, and they were allowed to keep it on their arm
even after moving to another unit as a form of pride in their old unit.
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandierender General IV. SS-Panzerkorps) in Hungary, April 1945, with SS-Sturmbannführer Herbert Jankuhn (left), his Ic Intelligence Officer from 27 July 1944 - April 1945. Jankuhn (8 August 1905 – 30 April 1990) was a German archaeologist who specialized in the archaeology of Germanic peoples. He is best known for his excavations at the Viking Age site of Hedeby, and for his instrumental role in the publishing of the second edition of the Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde. The picture is Courtesy of Günther Lange Archive and was taken from the book "From the Realm of a Dying Sun (Volume 1): IV. SS-Panzerkorps and the Battles for Warsaw, July-November 1944" by Douglas E. Nash.
From left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Bünning (Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 5 / 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"), SS-Standartenführer Karl Ullrich (Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"), and SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandierender General IV. SS-Panzerkorps). The picture was taken in Hungary in 1945. John P. Moore photo collection.
Former members of the Waffen-SS march through the streets of Verden, Niedersachsen, while being watched by the watchful eyes of British Military Police officer at left. They came to the post-war reunion of former members of the Waffen-SS (Nachkriegstreffen der Waffen-SS) which was held in Verden on 27 October 1952. Most likely this photo was taken just before the laying of wreaths in memory of their comrades in arms who have fallen during World War II. Second row after the wreath bearers are their leaders, from left to right: Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke, Felix Steiner and Herbert Otto Gille. Ramcke was a former general of the Fallschirmjäger (Paratroopers), while Steiner and Gille were both former commanders of the SS "Wiking" Division. Ramcke and Gille were both the recipients of Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, while Steiner "only" received the Schwerter for his Ritterkreuz (one level lower than Brillanten).
%20gives%20a%20speech.jpg)
Former general of the Waffen-SS, Herbert Otto Gille, gives a speech on the 16th of November in 1952 during a meeting of the "Hilfsgemeinschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit der Angehörigen der ehemaligen Waffen-SS e.V." (short: HIAG, translates as: "Mutual Help Association of Former Waffen-SS Members") in Gelsenkirchen. The HIAG fights for juristical and societal separation of the Waffen-SS and the Allgemeine-SS, which were on duty in the concentration camps of the Nazi period. In an article by Otto Kumm, former General of the Waffen SS, which appeared in Der Freiwillige, he notes that the origin of HIAG goes back to 1949. Kameraden of the former 7. SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Division "Prinz Eugen" got together in Hamburg to form a group with the objective to assist ex-Waffen SS members in prison and in financial need and to combat the defamation of the Waffen SS by the Nuremberg trials. This small group grew quickly from 50 to 100. They decided on the name Hilfsgemeinschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit (HIAG): Fellowship for Mutual Support. In the following months the numbers grew to 700-800 men. In 1951 the number of members in the club were 1500 to 1700. The HIAG movement mushroomed all over Germany. The spread of information came from the original publication "Ausweg" which was later replaced by "Wiking Ruf" (published by Herbert Otto Gille). In the 50s and 60s the HIAG was quite active organizing meetings and get-togethers (Tagungen). The meetings and get-togethers with the marches always attracted a lot of mostly negative publicity. As the key leaders of HIAG died the HIAG movement lost its impetus and is no longer active. The HIAG movement was only partly successful in clearing the Waffen SS reputation (the motto being that they were soldiers like any others). In a way, HIAG was the final chapter of the history of the Waffen SS.
Retired SS-Obergruppenführer Herbert Otto Gille received the 1957 version of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwerter und Brillanten (Knight's Cross with the oak leaves, swords and diamonds) from the OdR (Ordensgemeinschaft der Ritterkreuzträger e. V.) in November 1958. Retired Generalmajor Max Lemke puts on the high order.
Herbert Otto Gille gives the eulogy during the funeral of former Waffen-SS general Felix Steiner which were held on 25 May 1966. His funeral was attended by hundreds of his men who came from all over Europe to pay their last respects. Steiner died on 12 May 1966 in Münich, 11 days before his 70th birthday, and was buried in Friedhof Perlacher Forst (Plot 201, Reihe A, Grab 16). Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
26 December 1966: The funeral of fomer SS general Herbert Otto Gille in his house in Stemmen über Hannover, Niedersachsen, West Germany. On 26 December 1966 Gille passed away after suffering a heart attack in Stemmen, age 68. He was buried at the local cemetery in the city. Unfortunately, for some reason, now the grave is no longer there! Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
Source :
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek photo archive
Bundesarchiv photo archive
Agustin Vazquez photo collection
Douglas E. Nash photo collection
Günther Lange photo collection
John P. Moore photo collection
Michael D. Miller photo collection
"From the Realm of a Dying Sun (Volume 1): IV. SS-Panzerkorps and the Battles for Warsaw, July-November 1944" by Douglas E. Nash
"German Cross in Gold Holders of the SS and Police Volume 7 'Wiking': Adolph to Kempcke" by Mark C. Yerger
"Kampfgruppe Mühlenkamp" by Douglas E. Nash & Remy Spezzano
"Knight's Cross Winners of the Waffen SS' by Marc Rikmenspoel
"Leaders of the SS and German Police" by Michael D. Miller
"Unternehmen Ilse" by Remy Spezzano and Douglas E. Nash
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