Germany, SS. A Private Letter from Kurt Gille to Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler for the Reinstatement of Herbert Gille

(SS Brief). An interesting and historically-significant private letter from Kurt Gille to Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, constructed of off-white paper with typewritten black ink and handwritten notes. Dated 7 May 1934, Kurt expresses concerns for his brother, the future SS-Obergruppenführer Herbert Gille. According to the letter, the latter Gille became an enthusiastic member of the SS in 1931, later accepting a full-time position as a staffer, with a commensurate salary, in February 1933, requiring him to resign from his existing civilian job. He was later promoted to SS-Sturmführer and became chief of staff for his section. However, on 20 July 1933, Kurt states that Herbert was summoned before the Braunschweig State Ministry and informed that he was expelled from the SS before being taken into custody for more than three months. He also claims that Herbert was not informed of the reasons for these measures, nor does the letter provide any explanation. Initially given no opportunity to defend himself against the unspecified allegations, it was only after repeated petitions from the Gille family that Herbert was permitted to provide a defense of himself and was accordingly cleared. At the time of writing, he was attempting to return to his old position with the SS, and had an encouraging interview with Himmler himself, but was nervously awaiting a response. Kurt states that Herbert suffered financial ruin and emotional distress from the ordeal, and that he would appreciate Himmler’s help in rectifying the matter. Notably, the letter closes with Gille’s handwritten signature, and bears Himmler’s handwritten initials date on the obverse, indicating that he had received the letter on 16 May 1934. Measuring 210 mm (w) x 295 mm (h), it demonstrates moderate material fatigue and is in a very fine condition.

Footnote: Although the Gille brothers claimed ignorance, records show that Herbert was expelled from the SS and imprisoned for being involved in a plot to overthrow the government of Braunschweig. Gille’s misfortunes were short-lived, as he was reinstated in the SS-Verfügungstruppe in 1934, later participating in the invasion of Poland and rising to the rank of SS-Obergruppenführer and commander of the 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking. Gille would receive the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds for distinction on the Eastern Front. He survived the war and was taken into US custody until 1948, later becoming active in the postwar SS veterans’ lobby group HIAG. He died in Stemmen, West Germany, on 26 December 1966.