Günter Joachim Billing

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NSDAP
Membership in the NSDAP could not be established by the Federal Archives in Berlin. Neither for the parents nor for Günter Billing.
From 01.09.1933, Günter Billing was a member of the Hitler Youth and last served in the Naval Retinue 1/203 Passendorf (Halle).
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Günter Billing. No further details in the service record book.
Source: Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) Berlin.

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Education
From Easter 1929 – Easter 1933, Günter Billing attended primary school in Naumburg/Saale.
He was subsequently enrolled at the Walter-Flex-Oberschule, which he attended until 1940 – 8th grade (language department).
He obtained his school-leaving certificate there.
The service record book indicates that Günter Billing had a command of school English as well as school French.

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Federal Archives Department PA, formerly Deutsche Dienststelle Berlin (WASt)

Period………………………	Command, Location	Role
03.10.1940 – 03.11.1940	RAD-Abteilung K3/Passendorf (Halle) .	Labourer .
11.01.1941 – 31.03.1941	4th Company Naval Base Division Brake .	Recruit .
01.04.1941 – 17.05.1941	Transit Company Commandant in Section Wangerooge .	Recruit .
18.05.1941 – 30.06.1941	8th Battery Naval Flak Division 246, Oosterend .	Front .
01.07.1941 – 17.07.1941	4th Battery Naval Flak Division 201, Wijk aan Zee .	Transit .
18.07.1941 – 30.09.1941	16th Minesweeper Flotilla Minesweeper M1601 .	On deck, mess hand .
01.10.1941 – 04.01.1942	1st Company Naval Signals School, Aurich .	Radio operator trainee course .
05.01.1942 – 01.05.1942	16th Minesweeper Flotilla Minesweeper M1601 .	Radio operator seaman .
02.05.1942 – 27.06.1942	3rd Company 1st Naval NCO Training Division, Glücksburg .	Reserve officer candidate NCO course .
28.06.1942 – 31.08.1942	16th Minesweeper Flotilla Minesweeper M1601 .	Senior station operator .
01.09.1942 – 28.11.1942	2nd Company Naval Signals School, Mürwik .	Reserve officer candidate Naval Signals course .
29.11.1942 – 25.03.1943	6th Minesweeper Flotilla Minesweeper M3, Royan (per service record book: M39) .	Deputy station commander .
26.03.1943 – 06.04.1943	6th Minesweeper Flotilla Minesweeper M206, Royan .
07.04.1943 – 16.06.1943	10th Company 2nd Division Naval War College, Glücksburg .	Military officer course for reserve officer candidates
17.06.1943 – 13.10.1943	Naval Signals School, Mürwik .	Radio-technical officer course .
14.10.1943 – 14.05.1944	Commanding Admiral Adriatic 1st Naval Signals Department (motorised) Naval Intelligence Officer, Belgrade. Later Abbazia	3rd Naval Intelligence Officer. Later, messenger in the situation room
15.05.1944 – 07.09.1944	Naval Intelligence Officer, Trieste .	4th Naval Intelligence Officer, from 23.08.1944 head of a naval radio station

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Promotions	.
01.01.1942	Radio operator seaman
01.04.1942	Appointment as reserve officer candidate
01.06.1942	Supernumerary radio petty officer
01.08.1942	Above-establishment radio petty officer
01.01.1943	Established radio petty officer (Reserve)
20.03.1943	Midshipman (Naval Signals) (Reserve)
01.06.1943	Midshipman (Naval Signals) (Reserve) with sword knot
01.10.1943	Senior Midshipman (Naval Signals) (Reserve)
01.09.1944	Sub-Lieutenant (Naval Signals) (Reserve), seniority date: 01.06.1944

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According to information from the Deutsche Dienststelle, Günter Billing witnessed the British landing attempt at St. Nazaire on 28./29.03.1942.
In the records of the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt), Günter Billing next appears on 23.12.1944 with Panzer Brigade 150.
According to a US report from the Washington National Archives (NARA), Günter Billing joined the preparations for Operation Greif as a Senior Midshipman of the Naval Intelligence Service.

Note on the rank of Günter Billing

According to the Deutsche Dienststelle, Günter Billing held the rank of Reserve Lieutenant.
It must be noted that no other source confirms that Günter Billing ever reached the rank of Lieutenant. On the contrary.
The death sentence was pronounced against Senior Midshipman Billing.
The question of credibility is related to the fact that a soldier taken prisoner is required to disclose his rank.
What would Günter Billing have gained by denying his rank as Lieutenant?
A note in French, related to the death notification and originating from the International Red Cross in Geneva, also states the rank of Senior Midshipman. The last available certificate (F.T.O. certificate) dated 13.10.1943 (see below) names the rank of Midshipman (Naval Signals) of the Reserve.

Assessments

A number of excerpts from the assessments in Günter Billing’s service record book will now be cited. The assessments portray a willing, conscientious German naval soldier.
On 28.02.1941, the following was initially noted:
“In internal service he shows adequate performance but needs to be encouraged more frequently.”
On 16.05.1941:
“B. shows adequate performance in internal service and instruction but needs to be handled somewhat firmly. He has a command of his subjects. Neat in equipment duties. A somewhat sensitive soldier.”
After this, the assessments improved rapidly.
On 30.06.1941 he was deemed suitable for reserve officer candidacy [21].
His theoretical and practical performance was rated as “fairly good to good.”
The positive assessments continued.
His assessment of 04.01.1942 states, among other things:
“B. was by far the best student in the group. His performance in every subject is to be rated as good; he showed great interest in the radio operator tasks and always worked attentively.”
On 31.08.1942 his assessment reads:
“B. has worked very reliably as senior station operator. He possesses good theoretical specialist knowledge and practical experience in equipment repairs. Good knowledge in radio signal and cipher duties. Was always a role model to his comrades.”
Regarding his general military performance and qualities:
“Disciplined military bearing on and off duty. Knows how to assert himself and sets a good example to subordinates.”
Character and aptitude:
Decent, modest character with good aptitude. Always eager and diligent in service. Healthy ambition. Popular among comrades.
On 28.11.1942 his platoon officer assessed him as follows:
“B. showed interest and enthusiastic participation in every lesson. In radio technology he continued to develop independently, achieving above-average results. His knowledge in signals intelligence and cipher work is well-established. He has a good overview of all specialist areas. Good performance.”
Regarding his general military performance and qualities, the following is certified:
“On the front he presents himself freshly and in a military manner. His conduct towards superiors is tactful and assured, though he must guard against arrogance. As a superior, B. must improve his word of command and composure before the troops. He has good aptitude for guiding subordinates.”
In terms of character, Günther Billing is described as follows:
“A calm, reflective character who keeps himself in check in every situation. Shows a sense of duty and was earnestly striving to perform well. His aptitude is versatile, his manner humorous. His good specialist and military performance make him particularly well suited as a reserve officer candidate!”
On 17.06.1943 it was stated:
“A willing soldier with good military bearing. Always ready and always intent on carrying out assigned tasks to the fullest satisfaction.” “On the front he presents himself freshly and has good situational awareness. In instruction he demonstrates a good ability to grasp material and is fluent in delivery. In seamanship he works with care and consideration.” Regarding his character and aptitude: “A decent, honest soldier with a calm disposition. His soldierly attitude and his understanding of duty are good. B. is intelligent and sharp. Physically well endowed.”
On 15.10.1943 it is noted: “….through active participation and consistent diligence, B. achieved fairly good results in all specialist areas. Supported by his sound general education, he acquired extensive knowledge in naval intelligence. Well suited as a naval intelligence officer.”
In November 1943, which is also the last entry in his service record book, Günter Billing drew negative attention for once.
On 26.11.1943 he received the following entry in his service record book:
3 days room arrest
Reason: “On 26.11.1943, as the duty radio officer (F.T.O.) of the watch, he independently shortened a radio message sent by the Chief Admiral Adriatic, omitting the regulations, so that the radio message had to be transmitted again from scratch.”

Further certificates and documents as well as the handwritten curriculum vitae of Günter Billing
are also contained in his service record book. Source: Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt).

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No hospital stays are on record for Günter Billing.

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Naumburg/Saale City Archive

The death certificate (no. 195) originating from Naumburg was issued on 13.03.1948 on the basis of a written notification dated 05.03.1948 from the liquidation office of the Deutsche Dienststelle for the notification of next of kin of fallen members of the former German Wehrmacht.
The area of Malmedy was given as the place of death.
“Shot on the orders of the American military commission” was given as the cause of death.
Federal Archives Department PA, formerly Deutsche Dienststelle Berlin (WASt)
The index cards of Günter Billing held by the Deutsche Dienststelle*, from the central personnel file of the former Wehrmacht Information Office (WASt), were inspected by me (March 2021).
Notification dated 19.09.1945: 23.12.44 captured in the Malmedy area. Did not return from special assignment.
Notification dated 28.10.1946: Taken prisoner near Spa and executed as a spy by the Americans.
The notification also refers to correspondence with the father, and an article in the American newspaper “Stars & Stripes” is mentioned. It concerns an article that appeared in the American newspaper on 16.06.1945. The article, with photographs, is dedicated to the execution of the 3 German spies, Billing, Pernass & Schmidt. It appears that the family of Günter Billing learned of his death, and the circumstances that led to it, through the newspaper article. Of particular interest is an entry regarding the persons to be notified. There it states in French:
“non mentionné”, in German: “not named”. Indeed, these details are absent from the Death Certificate.
A notification dated 22.12.1947 states that Günter Billing was shot because he had operated as a spy in American uniform. The source is the American death certificate from the International Red Cross in Geneva.
On the index cards inspected, the rank “O. Fähnrich” had been crossed out in one place.
The rank Leutn. (MN) d.R. was subsequently added. No further useful information is contained on these cards. It is only noteworthy that there are 4 notifications regarding the burial location. In 1948 in Henri-Chapelle, then in 1951 a notification about the burial location in Lommel. 2 notifications (1951 & 1952) state that Günter Billing was reinterred at Lommel. The date of reinterment is not given. *Signature see Source index.
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Schmidt, Billing and Pernass.
The photo was taken shortly after the capture of the three.
It may be coincidence, but the three stand in the photo as they did on the day of the execution.

Source: The National WWII Museum New Orleans / Signal Corps US Army.

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Stars & Stripes 16.06.1945
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The Death Sentence

The death sentence against Günter Billing and his comrades as it appears in the Dachau trial file of Otto Skorzeny.
Source: BayHStA, Dachau War Crimes Trials M1106

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Information from the International Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva

(International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC)
Death Certificates from the Central Agency for Prisoners of War, held in the archive of the International Red Cross in Geneva, have been established for most of the executed soldiers. This is also the case for Günter Billing.
The Death Certificate has registration number RAD 96559.
The certificate was signed by Charles G. Lauer, US WD Civilian Director PWIB.
The names of Medical Officer Josef Eiser Capt. MC and Louis Siegel, 1st Lt. CMP were added by typewriter. The certificate bears the name of Günter Billing, but not his date of birth. Further information includes: the date of death, the place of death, the burial location in Henri-Chapelle, and the fact that he had no personal belongings on him.
Together with the death certificate from the Red Cross in Geneva, a note was transmitted. However, the information on the note is incorrect.
The stated date of birth (9.4.23) is just as erroneous as the stated missing date (3.45).
Below that, 9.12.46, to Mr. Billing, Naumburg Saale…. .
It contains some French words and abbreviations. As far as it can be translated, it concerns Mr. Billing’s search for his son. The typewritten note refers to the transfer of the Death Certificate to the WASt.
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Burial list, burials at Henri-Chapelle cemetery, ICRC Geneva. Source: Archive International Red Cross Geneva.

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German Military Cemetery Lommel, Belgium. Photo: © Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers.

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The three comrades were buried side by side, just as they were shot. Photo: © Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers.