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/

Herbert Otto Gille with Heer Soldier

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.

Source :
https://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/beelden/detail/bf8388e0-0259-11e7-904b-d89d6717b464/media/edac6deb-63da-39b8-7ba6-a04b6b266637?mode=detail&view=horizontal&q=gille&rows=1&page=4
https://www.ea-militaria.com/generalleutnant-der-waffen-ss-gille-press-photo.html
https://www.oorlogsbronnen.nl/bron/https%3A%2F%2Fbeeldbankwo2.nl%2Fnl%2Fbeelden%2Fdetail%2Fbf8388e0-0259-11e7-904b-d89d6717b464%2Fmedia%2Fedac6deb-63da-39b8-7ba6-a04b6b266637

Hasso von manteuffel Holding a Wolchowstock

General der Panzertruppe Hasso von Manteuffel (Oberbefehlshaber 5. Panzerarmee) in the summer of 1944. He is wearing a black "Sonderbekleidung Der Deutschen Panzertruppen" (Special clothing of the German tank troops) and also holding wolchowstock, a hand-made carved wood walking stick named after the Wolchow / Volkhov area of the eastern front. This was usually made by German soldiers serving on the Eastern Front during the long periods of inaction, mostly in the winter.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewforum.php?f=5

Herbert Otto Gille and Wolchowstock

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

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

Günther Sachs with Wehrmacht Officers

Generalmajor Günther Sachs (middle, Kommandeur 18. Flak-Division) with Heer and Luftwaffe officers. The picture was taken between 1 Desember 1944 (his promotion to Generalmajor) and 24 January 1945 (his bestowal of Ritterkreuz). Sachs is holding a wolchowstock.

Source ;
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/photos-and-paper-items-forum/12260863-looking-for-a-photo-of-the-luftwaffe-general-%C2%A0-g%C3%BCnther-sachs

Manfred Schönfelder and Herbert Gille at Modlin

 

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.

Source :
"From the Realm of a Dying Sun" by Douglas E. Nash, Sr.
https://www.facebook.com/Latewareasternfront/photos/a.111087124151394/128535665739873/