Karl Wahl

Karl Wahl (1892 – 1981) was a German Nazi politician and Gauleiter of Swabia from 1928 until the end of World War II. Born in Baiersdorf, Bavaria, Wahl initially worked as a locksmith. He joined the Nazi Party in 1922 and quickly rose through its ranks. He played a significant role in the establishment and consolidation of Nazi power in Swabia, overseeing the implementation of Nazi policies, including the persecution of Jews and other minorities. As Gauleiter, Wahl held considerable power and influence over the region's political, economic, and social life.

After the war, Wahl was arrested and interned. He was later convicted of war crimes by a German court in 1949 and sentenced to three and a half years in prison. Following his release, he attempted to rehabilitate his image and published his memoirs, seeking to downplay his role in the Nazi regime. He died in Augsburg in 1981. Wahl remains a controversial figure, symbolizing the enduring legacy of Nazism in German history.