| Herbert Otto Gille
- Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds |
|
| Rank:
Waffen-SS Lt. General (SS-Obergruppenführer) |
| Date
of Award: September 19, 1944 |
| Cross
Class: Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds |
| Branch
of Service: Waffen SS |
| Description
of Action: 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) 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 disaster, also known as the Cherkassy Pocket. The Soviets greatly outnumbered the German forces but they failed to cut off their retreat. Gille received the diamonds 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 member so 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. Ref Wikpedia |
| Mini
Biography: |
| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Otto_Gille |
| From:
Second World War Award Winners |
| Listing
Date: Jun 27, 2008 |
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