Biography: Emil Mahl

Emil Erwin Mahl was born on November 9, 1899 in Karlsruhe. After training as a machinist, he worked as a mechanic. Mahl was arrested in 1940 and, categorized a “professional criminal,” sent to the Dachau concentration camp. He was deployed in the camp crematorium in 1943 and then also served as kapo from summer 1944. His duties included collecting and burning corpses as well as participating in executions.

Mahl was charged with involvement in the executions as part of the Dachau Main Trial. The court sentenced him to death. The conviction was commuted into a prison term and Mahl was released from confinement in February 1952. He died on April 1, 1967.

Emil Mahl in custody, 1945 - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington D.C., courtesy of Stuart McKeever

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