Description:

ARCHIVE OF WAFFEN-SS KNIGHT''S CROSS RECIPIENT HERBERT GILLE
Fine group of four documents related to the military career and honors of SS-Obergruppenfuhrer HERBERT GILLE (1897-1966) who as a recipient of the Knight''s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds was the most highly-decorated Waffen-SS member of the war. Includes: Partly-printed D.S., 1p. 4to., Jueterbog, July 24, 1939, recommending that Gille be promoted to the rank of Obersturmbannfuhrer in the SS-VT, predecessor to the Waffen-SS. Interestingly, a pencil notation informs us that Gille''s promotion was denied on Aug. 25 by the order of Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler. Shows paper loss at the upper left corner, with file holes at the left margin, else very good. WITH: Typed D.S., 3pp. 4to., [n.p.], Aug. 8, 1942, a recommendation list stating the reasons why Gille should be awarded the Knight''s Cross of the Iron Cross, in small part: "... Gille spearheaded the division after crossing the Don at Rostow, defeated the enemy, destroyed or captured 28 pieces of artillery, 17 anti-tank guns, 1 anti-aircraft gun, and captured 8,283 prisoners. His fast, daring and ruthless leadership and being a role model contributed to reaching the Kuban in short time and created the best conditions for future operations..." Shows staple holes at top left, with file holes at the left margin, else very good. WITH: Partly-printed D.S., 2pp, 4to., [n.p.], Sep. 17, 1942, confirming Gille''s promotion to the rank of SS-Oberfuhrer. The document further lists the campaigns in which he has participated, including the occupations of Austria and the Sudetenland, the invasion of Poland, the Battle of France, and the Russian Campaign, as well as several seminars which he has attended, . The document is signed at the conclusion by Waffen-SS general FELIX STEINER (1896-1966) as commander of the SS Division "Wiking". Shows a 2" tear at the bottom edge, with a 1/2" tear at the right edge, staple holes at upper left, and file holes at the left margin, else very good. WITH: Typed D.S., 1p. 8vo., Berlin, Nov. 13, 1944, from the office of the Reichfuhrer-SS to SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Maximilian von Herff, instructing him to add an enclosed telegram from Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler [not present] to Gille''s personnel file. The document is signed at the conclusion in black ink by WERNER GROTHMANN (1915-2002), aide-de-camp to Himmler. Shows folds, with file holes to the left margin, else very good. An important grouping. Four pieces.

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December 19, 2017 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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