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Gilsa, Freiherr von und zu, Werner-Albrecht

Date of birth:
March 4th, 1889 (Berlin/Brandenburg, Germany)
Date of death:
May 8th, 1945 (Leitmeritz, Czechoslovakia)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Werner-Albrecht Freiherr von und zu Gilsa comitted suicide on May 8th, 1945. At that time het was Führer Korps "Gilsa" with the rank of General der Infanterie.

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
October 18th, 1914
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
May 14th, 1915
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 14th, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 21st, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 9
Awarded on:
June 5th, 1940
The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Gilsa received the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberst Freiherr von und zu Gilza and his Regiment were already fighting with outstanding bravery during the Polish campaign. During the great western offensive the Regiment broke through an important enemy bridgehead position under the personal leadership of its commander. After this it also succeeded in crossing the Maas by launching a swift, bold thrust that seized the only bridge in this sector which was still in an intact state.”

During the capture of this bridge Gilsa personally leading at the head of his III. Bataillon. The success of this particular operation contributed majorly to the continued swift advance of Gruppe Haase.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Brigadier)
Unit:
Kommandeur 216. Infanterie-Division
Awarded on:
January 24th, 1942
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Awarded for his outstanding defense of the Fortress Suchinitschi (located in the central part of the Eastern front) during the general German retreat from Moscow.

68th Award.

Sources

Photo