Kārlis Prauls

Kārlis Prauls (May 2, 1895 – January 30, 1941) was a Latvian general, and from 1930 to 1940 a commander in the Aizsargi home guard.

Biography

Prauls was born in Lielstraupe parish in Vidzeme. In 1915, he volunteered for service in the Russian army, graduated from officer school, and subsequently served with the Latvian riflemen units.

When the Latvian War of Independence broke out, Prauls joined the Latvian army. After the war he remained in military service with the 3rd Jelgava's infantry regiment as battalion commander, later responsible for the regiment's logistics. In 1930 he was appointed to the post of commander in the Aizsargi home guard. He subsequently attended and graduated from Latvia's War School and in 1939 was appointed to the rank of general.

The Aizsargi were disbanded following the Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940. Prauls was arrested on 19 September; sentenced to death on 20 December; and executed on 30 January 1941 in Ulbroka, outside Rīga.