Karl Wolff
Karl Friedrich Otto Wolff (13 May 1900 – 17 July 1984) was a German SS functionary who served as Chief of Personal Staff Reichsführer-SS (Heinrich Himmler) and an SS liaison to Adolf Hitler during World War II. He ended the war as the Supreme SS and Police Leader in occupied Italy and helped arrange for the early surrender of Axis forces in that theatre, effectively ending the war there several days sooner than in the rest of Europe. He escaped prosecution at the Nuremberg Trials as a result of his participation in Operation Sunrise. In 1962, Wolff was re-arrested and prosecuted in West Germany for the deportation of Polish Jews, and he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for being an accessory to murder in 1964. He was released in 1971 due to his failing health, but died 13 years later.
Karl Wolff | |
---|---|
Wolff in 1937 | |
Birth name | Karl Friedrich Otto Wolff |
Born | Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse, German Empire | 13 May 1900
Died | 17 July 1984 84) Rosenheim, Bavaria, West Germany | (aged
Allegiance | German Empire Nazi Germany |
Years of service | 1917–1918 1931–1945 |
Rank | SS-Obergruppenführer |
Unit | Schutzstaffel |
Commands held | Chief, Personal Staff Reichsführer-SS Supreme SS and Police Leader, occupied Italy |
Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
Awards | Iron Cross, German Cross in Gold |
Relations | Fatima Grimm (daughter) |