Karl Bechler

Karl Bechler, a doctor of philosophy, was a secondary and senior teacher at the Royal Catholic Gymnasium in Konitz / Prussia. From October 1926 until March 1945 he was Director of the Middle School at the Royal Catholic Gymnasium. He studied German and foreign languages in Greifswald, Berlin and Königsberg. Bechler was twice wounded in World War I and was awarded the “Eiserne Kreuz” (Iron Cross).

He set his only world record in 1908 in the indoor 60 metres, recording 7.2 seconds. In London 1908 he was eliminated in the heats of the 100 metres and also competed in the javelin throw. Bechler had varied interests, as he was known as a good draftsman, and published both theatre and literary reviews. He died from shrapnel wounds in the last days of World War II in the cellar of his house in Gdańsk.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.1 (1913); JT – 49.90 (1913).