FELIX STEINER PROMOTES HERBERT GILLE WHO WOULD SUCCEED HIM IN COMMAND OF THE WIKING DIVISION

FELIX STEINER PROMOTES HERBERT GILLE WHO WOULD SUCCEED HIM IN COMMAND OF THE WIKING DIVISION
(1896-1966) Waffen-SS "Obergruppenfuhrer" and Knight's Cross recipient who contributed significantly to the development and transformation of the Waffen-SS into a combat force made up of volunteers and conscripts. During the Battle of Berlin, he was ordered to envelop the 1st Belorussian Front through a pincer movement, advancing from the north of the city. However, as his unit was outnumbered by ten to one, Steiner made it clear that he did not have the capacity for a counter-attack. Fine association D.S. as commander of the SS-Division Wiking, 2pp. 4to., [n.p.], to the SS Personnel Department, his promotion of SS-Oberfuhrer HERBERT GILLE to the rank of SS-Brigadefuhrer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS. Gille's awards and a summary of his service record are also recorded on the document, to which Steiner adds his own note and signed in pencil. File holes, else very good. HERBERT GILLE (1897-1966) would be awarded the Knights Cross three weeks later for his service as commander of SS-Artillerie-Regiment 5 "Wiking". On May 1, 1943, he would succeed Steiner as commander of the Wiking Division, which he would lead for the next 15 months.