Herbert Gille facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Herbert Otto Gille
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| Born | 8 March 1897 Bad Gandersheim, Lower Saxony, German Empire |
| Died | 26 December 1966 (aged 69) Stemmen, Lower Saxony, West Germany |
| Allegiance |  German Empire Weimar Republic Nazi Germany |
| Service/ |
Army Waffen-SS |
| Years of service | 1914–19 1934–45 |
| Rank | SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS |
| Commands held | SS Division Wiking IV SS Panzerkorps |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds |
| Other work | HIAG, Waffen-SS lobby group |
Herbert Otto Gille (born March 8, 1897 – died December 26, 1966) was a German military officer. He held high ranks in the SS during World War II. Gille led the SS Division Wiking during the war. He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. This made him the most highly decorated member of the Waffen-SS during the war. After the war, Gille opened a book store. He also joined HIAG, a group for former soldiers.
Contents
Military Career and Service
Gille first served as a soldier in World War I. For his bravery, he received the Iron Cross First and Second Classes. In 1931, Gille joined the Nazi Party and the SS. By 1934, he became part of the SS combat forces.
Early Campaigns
As a battalion commander, Gille took part in the invasion of Poland in 1939. He also participated in the western campaign. In 1940, he became a regimental commander. He joined the SS Division Wiking, which was led by Felix Steiner.
World War II Battles
Gille and his regiment fought in Operation Barbarossa in 1941. This was the invasion of the Soviet Union. In 1942, they advanced into the Kuban region. Gille received the Knight's Cross on October 8, 1942. He then took command of the Wiking Division on the Eastern Front.
In early 1944, Gille helped lead a breakout. His troops escaped from the Korsun-Cherkassy Pocket. For his leadership, Gille received the diamonds to his Knight's Cross on April 19, 1944. In January 1945, Gille led the IV SS Panzer Corps. They tried to help German and Hungarian troops trapped in the Battle of Budapest, but it was unsuccessful. In March 1945, he led his corps in the failed Lake Balaton Offensive. Gille surrendered to American forces in Austria.
After the War
Gille was released in 1948. In the early 1950s, he became active in HIAG. This was a group formed by former high-ranking Waffen-SS personnel. Their goal was to help former soldiers with legal and financial matters. They also wanted to share their historical experiences.
Gille, along with Felix Steiner, Otto Kumm, and Paul Hausser, became a key leader in HIAG. In 1951, Gille started a magazine called Wiking-Ruf ("Viking Call"). It was first for veterans of the SS Division Wiking. By 1952, it became the official magazine for HIAG. It was later renamed Der Freiwillige ("The Volunteer"). Gille passed away in 1966.
Awards and Honors
Herbert Otto Gille received several important military awards for his service:
- German Cross in Gold on February 28, 1942.
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. This was a very high honor.
- Knight's Cross on October 8, 1942.
- 315th Oak Leaves on November 1, 1943.
- 47th Swords on February 20, 1944.
- 12th Diamonds on April 19, 1944.
