Karl-Otto Koch
Karl-Otto Köch | |
|---|---|
Koch, c. 1940 | |
| Born | 2 August 1897 Darmstadt, Germany |
| Died | 5 April 1945 (aged 47) Buchenwald, Germany |
| Criminal status | Executed by firing squad |
| 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 |
| Service years | 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 German military officer who was a mid-ranking commander in the Schutzstaffel (SS) of Nazi Germany, and 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.