Bio of SS-Obergruppenführer Herbert Otto Gille (1897-1966)

Full name: Herbert Otto Wilhelm Hermann Gille
Nickname: No information

Date of Birth: 08.03.1897 - Gandersheim, Duchy of Brunswick (German Empire)  
Date of Death: 26.12.1966 - Stemmen, Lower Saxony (West Germany)  

Battles and Operations: Polish Campaign, Western Campaign, Operation Barbarossa, Caucasus Campaign, Kuban Bridgehead, Mius Front, Kursk defensive battles, Cherkassy Pocket breakout, Kovel defense, Vistula defense against Bagration, Budapest relief operations Konrad I-III, Operation Spring Awakening  

NSDAP-Number: 537337 (01.05.1931)
SS-Number: 39854 (10.10.1931)
Religion : No information
Parents: Hermann Gille (manufacturer) and unknown mother  
Siblings: three older brothers (names unknown, fourth son of the family)  
Spouse: Sophie Charlotte Mennecke (married 04.01.1935) 
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  
09.11.1943 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS  
09.11.1944 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS  

Career:  
00.00.1903-00.03.1909 Bürgerschule Gandersheim then Gymnasium Braunschweig  
00.04.1909-00.04.1914 Preußische Kadettenkorps, Kadettenschule Bensberg am Rhein  
00.04.1914-00.08.1914 Haupt-Kadettenanstalt Groß-Lichterfelde  
10.08.1914-28.12.1914 Fähnrich, 2. Badisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 30, Rastatt  
29.12.1914-24.01.1919 Reserve-Feldartillerie-Regiment 55, 75. Reserve-Infanterie-Division  
27.01.1915 Zugführer and Batterieoffizier  
00.01.1917 Führer 1. Batterie  
25.01.1919-31.03.1919 2. Badisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 30  
00.00.1920-00.00.1921 Administrator, Bamhof  
00.00.1921-00.00.1923 Administrator, Abbesbüttel near Meine  
00.00.1922-00.00.1926 Stahlhelm-Bund  
00.00.1923-00.00.1925 Inspector various estates near Immendorf, Salzgitter and Bährdorf bei Oebisfelde  
00.00.1925-00.10.1927 Independent inspector, private estate Stemmen bei Hannover  
00.00.1928-00.00.1929 Independent inspector, private estate Poggenhagen bei Neustadt am Rübenberge  
00.00.1929-00.00.1931 Travelling salesman, Büssing-NAG, Braunschweig  
00.00.1931-00.00.1933 Self-employed businessman in automotive field  
01.05.1931 joined NSDAP  
10.10.1931 joined SS  
30.09.1932-27.01.1933 Führer 5. Sturm, I. Sturmbann, 49. Standarte, Braunschweig  
27.01.1933-20.04.1933 Führer Motorstaffel, 49. SS-Standarte  
28.02.1933-00.03.1933 Führer 49. SS-Standarte  
20.04.1933-09.04.1934 Stabsführer, SS-Abschnitt IV, Braunschweig  
20.07.1933-27.10.1933 degraded and expelled from SS and NSDAP due to political intrigue, detained 14 weeks in Braunschweig prison  
09.11.1933 proceedings dismissed  
14.02.1934 acquitted and readmitted to NSDAP and SS at original rank  
09.04.1934-29.05.1934 Führer z.b.V., II. Sturmbann, 49. SS-Standarte, Goslar  
29.05.1934-09.11.1935 transferred to SS-Verfügungstruppe, Führer 11. Sturm, III. Sturmbann, SS-Standarte 1 later Deutschland, Ellwangen  
07.06.1934-14.08.1934 I. Sturmbann, SS-Standarte 2  
28.02.1935-07.08.1935 Kompanieführer-Lehrgang, Infanterieschule Döberitz  
09.11.1935-01.10.1936 Führer 12. Sturm later 19.(MG-)Sturm, III./IV. Sturmbann, SS-Standarte Deutschland  
01.10.1936-15.02.1937 Stabsführer, SS-Standarte Germania  
01.02.1937-01.05.1939 Führer II. Sturmbann, SS-Standarte Germania  
00.00.1937 Lehrgang für Stabsoffiziere, Heeressportschule Wünsdorf and Gasschutzlehrgang Berlin  
03.05.1938-12.05.1938 Bataillon-Kommandeur Lehrgang, Infanterieschule Döberitz  
25.03.1939-01.06.1939 Formationsstab SS-Artillerie-Standarte, Münsterlager  
13.04.1939-16.05.1939 instructional course Artillerieschule Jüterbog  
01.06.1939-15.11.1940 Kommandeur I.(schw.) Sturmbann later I. Abteilung, SS-Artillerie-Regiment 5, SS-Verfügungstruppe  
15.11.1940-01.05.1943 Kommandeur SS-Artillerie-Regiment, SS-Division Wiking  
01.02.1942-20.06.1942 Führer SS-Infanterie-Regiment Westland  
20.06.1942-31.07.1942 Kommandeur Korps-Artillerie, SS-Generalkommando  
31.07.1942-01.05.1943 Kommandeur SS-Infanterie-Regiment Westland later SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment Westland, SS-Division Wiking  
00.07.1942-00.10.1942 Kommandeur Kampfgruppe Gille around Rostov-on-Don  
22.11.1942-08.02.1943 stellvertretender Führer SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Wiking  
01.05.1943-06.08.1944 Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division Wiking  
06.08.1944-08.05.1945 Kommandierender General IV. SS-Panzer-Korps  
08.05.1945-21.05.1948 prisoner of war, U.S. captivity Salzburg, Augsburg, Dachau, Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Sandbostel, Fallingbostel, Nuremberg  
00.06.1946 Lagerführer War Criminals Camp Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen then Sandbostel and Fallingbostel  
21.05.1948 released, owner of small bookstore in Stemmen  
00.04.1949 tried by Entnazifizierungs-Spruchkammer Hannover, sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, later revised and released as Category V exonerated  
00.00.1950 active in HIAG and founded Truppenkameradschaft Wiking e.V.  
00.11.1951-26.12.1966 founder and editor of Wiking Ruf later Der Freiwillige  

Awards and Decorations:  
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse 1914 (World War I)  
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse 1914 (World War I)  
Braunschweiger Kriegsverdienstkreuz (World War I)  
Österreichisches Militärverdienstkreuz III. Klasse mit Schwertern (World War I)  
Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer (February 1934)  
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer (1934)  
SS-Dienstauszeichnung 4. Stufe (1935)  
Julleuchter der SS (16.12.1935)  
DRL-Sportabzeichen in Silber (1936)  
Silbernes SA-Sportabzeichen (01.12.1936)  
Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS (01.12.1936)  
SS-Ehrenring (01.12.1937)  
Bronzenes SA-Sportabzeichen (01.12.1937)  
SS-Dienstauszeichnung 3. Stufe (1939)  
Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP 10 Jahre (01.04.1939)  
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938 (1939)  
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange Prager Burg (1939)  
1939 Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 2. Klasse (26.10.1939)  
1939 Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 1. Klasse (21.11.1939)  
Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen (May 1941)  
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (28.02.1942) as SS-Oberführer and Kommandeur SS-Artillerie-Regiment 5 Wiking  
Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (15.09.1942)  
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (08.10.1942) as SS-Oberführer and Kommandeur SS-Artillerie-Regiment 5 Wiking for actions in Caucasus and Kuban  
Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (315. Verleihung, 01.11.1943) as SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS and Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division Wiking  
Schwerter zum Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub (47. Verleihung, 20.02.1944) as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS and Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division Wiking for Cherkassy breakout  
Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern (12. Verleihung, 19.04.1944) as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS and Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division Wiking for defense of Kowel  
Nahkampfspange in Gold (for over 50 close-combat days)  
Mentioned in Wehrmachtbericht (06.04.1944 and 02.09.1944)  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Herbert Otto Gille, often affectionately called Papa Gille by his troops for his paternal leadership style and concern for the multinational volunteers under his command, rose from a World War I artillery officer to become the most highly decorated member of the Waffen-SS during the Second World War. After demobilization in 1919 he worked in agriculture and sales while maintaining contacts with nationalist circles through the Stahlhelm. His entry into the NSDAP and SS in 1931 marked the beginning of a turbulent but ultimately successful career in the SS-Verfügungstruppe. A brief expulsion from both organizations in 1933 following an intrigue against the Braunschweig government was overturned after rehabilitation by the party court, allowing him to continue his path as an artillery specialist.  

Gille proved his worth as commander of the artillery regiment in the newly formed SS-Division Wiking, a unit composed of German and foreign volunteers from Nordic and other European countries. His leadership during the 1942 summer offensive in the Caucasus, including the recapture of Rostov and the establishment of the Kuban bridgehead, earned him the Knight's Cross. He later assumed command of the full division and guided it through the heavy defensive fighting after Kursk and the dramatic encirclement at Cherkassy in early 1944, where Wiking was one of the few formations to maintain cohesion during the breakout under appalling conditions. For this achievement he received the Oak Leaves. In March 1944 Gille personally flew into the encircled fortress town of Kowel to take direct command of the defense until relief forces arrived, an action that brought him the Swords. The Diamonds followed shortly afterward, making him only the second Waffen-SS officer to receive the highest grade of the Knight's Cross.  

As commanding general of IV. SS-Panzer-Korps from August 1944 he conducted skillful delaying actions against the Soviet summer offensive toward Warsaw and later led repeated but ultimately unsuccessful relief attempts toward Budapest in January 1945. His corps also participated in the last major German offensive in Hungary, Operation Spring Awakening, in March 1945. Captured by American forces in Austria on 8 May 1945, Gille spent three years in various internment camps where he even served as camp leader. Released in 1948 he returned to his family in Stemmen, opened a small bookstore, and became a central figure in the Waffen-SS veterans' organization HIAG. He founded the divisional comradeship Truppenkameradschaft Wiking and edited its newsletter Wiking Ruf, which later evolved into the widely read Der Freiwillige. Gille advocated for the integration of former Waffen-SS members into broader veterans' associations rather than isolation, though internal disagreements led him to leave HIAG in 1955.  

Unique and interesting facts include that Gille was one of the very few high-ranking SS leaders who never provided the required full ancestry proof back to 1750, simply ignoring repeated requests from the SS Kinship Office. Despite his high decorations he remained modest in demeanor and was respected across Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS lines for his tactical competence and care for his troops, many of whom were non-German volunteers. His postwar activities in HIAG and the veterans' press kept the memory of the multinational character of Wiking alive while navigating the delicate political landscape of the early Federal Republic. Gille died of heart failure in late 1966 at the age of 69. 



Source:  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Gille  
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Gille  
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/223/Gille-Herbert-Otto-Papa.htm  
https://grokipedia.com/page/Herbert_Gille  
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/ (general reference on Waffen-SS officers)  
Scherzer, Veit. Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939-1945. Jena 2007.  
Patzwall, Klaus D. / Scherzer, Veit. Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945. Norderstedt 2001.  
https://rk.balsi.de/ (Ritterkreuzträger database)  
https://www.unithistories.com/ (Waffen-SS unit histories)  
https://forum.axishistory.com/ (archival discussions and documents)  
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/ (award documentation)  
Bundesarchiv personnel files references  
https://books.google.com/ (digitized references in Scherzer and Patzwall works)  
Additional cross-referenced data from https://www.ww2.dk/ and related military archives.

Herbert Otto Gille with Wiking Officers in 1945

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.

Source :
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-uniforms-and-equipment/tony-barto-ss-uniforms-and-insignia-forum/215735-unusual-wiking-sleeve-band-story#post2459092

Herbert Otto Gille, Nikolaus von Vormann and Georg-Hans Reinhardt

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.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=210373&hilit=herbert+gille

Herbert Gille, Josef Swientek and Johannes Mühlenkamp

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.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2014/03/album-foto-herbert-otto-gille.html

Herbert Otto Gille and His Pet Dog

A Facebook post by author Douglas E. Nash on 16 November 2021: Finally learned the correct name of Herbert Otto Gille's little terrier - his name was "Strolch" which loosely translates to "Scamp." A fitting name, I suppose. Source for the I.D. is the officer who used to be Gille's aide-de-camp, SS-Untersturmführer Günther Lange, who relayed the name to me today. One of the many duties Lange had in addition to making sure Gille got his bowl of Wheaties in the morning, his maps, and staff car on standby was caring for this little dog - walking it, feeding it, cleaning up after him, etc. He was helped in this by Gille's batman, SS-Unterscharführer Balk. The photo above was taken sometime during the first two weeks of March 1945, showing little "Strolch" mucking about in the foreground.

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.

Source :
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10159784986304357&set=gm.1194338567727568

Gille and Schönfelder Chats with SS Wiking's New Ia from Army

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.

Source :
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=117712273488879&set=a.111160687477371

Herbert Otto Gille Visiting Totenkopf Command Post

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.

Source :
"From the Realm of a Dying Sun (Volume 1): IV. SS-Panzerkorps and the Battles for Warsaw, July-November 1944" by Douglas E. Nash
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2015/02/foto-3-ss-panzer-division-totenkopf.html
https://wwii.space/%D1%84%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE-%D0%B3%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B4%D1%86%D1%8B-%D1%87%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8C-1/3/

Dietrich von Saucken and Herbert Otto Gille

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.

Source :
"From the Realm of a Dying Sun (Volume 1): IV. SS-Panzerkorps and the Battles for Warsaw, July-November 1944" by Douglas E. Nash.

Herbert Otto Gille and His Intelligence Officer

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.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Jankuhn
https://www.facebook.com/Latewareasternfront

SS-Gruppenführer Herbert Otto Gille

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.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2014/03/album-foto-herbert-otto-gille.html
https://erenow.org/ww/warsaw-2-tank-battle-praga-july-september-1944/4.php
https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Herbert_Otto_Gille

Herbert Otto Gille with His Corps Adjutants

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.

Source :

"From the Realm of a Dying Sun (Volume 1): IV. SS-Panzerkorps and the Battles for Warsaw, July-November 1944" by Douglas E. Nash

Walter Model and Herbert Otto Gille

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.

Two Brillantenträger from Heer and Waffen-SS in the back seat of Field Marshal Model's staff car. From left to right: Generalfeldmarschall Walter Model (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte) and SS-Gruppenführer and Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandierender General IV. SS-Panzerkorps). The picture was taken on 28 July 1944 when Model made his first visit to Gille's HQ in 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.

Source :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/691098008051629/posts/1800456000449152/?notif_id=1719927372682904&notif_t=group_post_approved&ref=notif
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewforum.php?f=38&sid=a0d8476e7302b515dc3f8fedeeb2452b
https://inf.news/en/history/9c240dbaa552853ed31aa4d0be4304a0.html

Herbert Otto Gille and Hellmuth Becker

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.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2016/02/foto-hellmuth-becker.html

Nikolaus von Vormann and Herbert Otto Gille

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.

 

Source :
Douglas E. Nash photo collection