Léon Gillis (soldier)

Léon Gillis (11 February 1913 – 24 March 1977) was a Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) in the Waffen SS during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II.

Léon Gillis was born on 11 February 1913, in Charleroi, Belgium. During World War II he volunteered to join the Waffen SS and served with the 28th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Wallonien.

In August 1944, Gills was the leader of the Panzerjäger platoon and received the Knight’s Cross for his actions in single-handedly destroying several (anywhere from 14 to 19) T-34s.

Strong Soviet tank forces were attacking along the road south of Tartu in eastern Estonia with the intention of severing the entire Estonian Front. The only things blocking their way were three anti-tank guns from the 28th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Wallonien. Gillis positioned his guns directly in the road and flung back attack after attack. In furious fighting that raged all day, the anti-tank guns were destroyed and most of the men wounded. The whole front hinged on Gillis' next move. He chose to attack. The attack knocked out three more tanks with hand grenades and drove back the rest. The Soviet forces were unable to advance.

Léon Gillis survived the war and died on 24 March 1977 in Brussels.