Karl-Otto Koch
Karl-Otto Kögel | |
|---|---|
Koch, ca. 1940 | |
| Born | 2 August 1897 |
| Died | 5 April 1945 (aged 47) |
| Cause of death | Execution by firing squad |
| Criminal status | Executed |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 4 |
| Convictions | Murder (3 counts) Embezzlement |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | German Empire Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Imperial German Army Schutzstaffel SS-Totenkopfverbände |
| Years of service | 1916–1919 1931–1945 |
| Rank | Einjährig-Freiwilliger SS-Standartenführer |
| Commands | Esterwegen concentration camp Sachsenhausen concentration camp Buchenwald concentration camp Majdanek concentration camp |
| Awards | 1914 Iron cross II class Hindenburg Cross Civil Defence Decoration Black wound badge German Sports Badge |
Karl-Otto Koch (German: [kɔx]; 2 August 1897 – 5 April 1945) was a mid-ranking commander in the Schutzstaffel (SS) of Nazi Germany who was the first commandant of the Nazi concentration camps at Buchenwald and Sachsenhausen. From September 1941 until August 1942, he served as the first commandant of the Majdanek concentration camp in occupied Poland, stealing vast amounts of valuables and money from murdered Jews. His wife, Ilse Koch, also participated in the crimes at Buchenwald.