Heinrich Georg "Heinz" Hax (24 January 1900 – 1 September 1969) was a German army general and sportsman.
His sports career was as a
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
modern pentathlete
The modern pentathlon is an Olympic sport consisting of fencing (one-touch épée), freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting, and cross country running. The event is inspired by the traditional pentathlon held during the anc ...
and
sport shooter
Shooting sports is a group of competitive and recreational sporting activities involving proficiency tests of accuracy, precision and speed in shooting — the art of using ranged weapons, mainly small arms (firearms and airguns, in forms such a ...
who competed in the
1932 Summer Olympics
The 1932 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the X Olympiad and also known as Los Angeles 1932) were an international multi-sport event held from July 30 to August 14, 1932 in Los Angeles, California, United States. The Games were held duri ...
and in the
1936 Summer Olympics
The 1936 Summer Olympics (German: ''Olympische Sommerspiele 1936''), officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad (German: ''Spiele der XI. Olympiade'') and commonly known as Berlin 1936 or the Nazi Olympics, were an international multi-sp ...
. He was a career army officer and a recipient of the
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (german: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), or simply the Knight's Cross (), and its variants, were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II.
The Knight' ...
. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Olympic career
In 1928 he finished fifth in the
Olympic modern pentathlon.
Four years later he competed as sport shooter and won the silver medal in the 25 metre rapid fire pistol event.
In 1936 later he won the silver medal in the same event again.
Awards and decorations
*
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross (german: link=no, Eisernes Kreuz, , abbreviated EK) was a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, and later in the German Empire (1871–1918) and Nazi Germany (1933–1945). King Frederick William III of Prussia est ...
(1939)
** 2nd Class (14 September 1939)
** 1st Class (31 October 1939)
*
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (german: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), or simply the Knight's Cross (), and its variants, were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II.
The Knight' ...
** Knight's Cross on 8 March 1945 as ''
Oberst
''Oberst'' () is a senior field officer rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway. The Swedish ...
'' and leader of 8. Panzer-Division
** (855th) Oak Leaves on 30 April 1945 as ''
Generalmajor
is the Germanic variant of major general, used in a number of Central and Northern European countries.
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
is the second lowest general officer rank in the Royal Danish Army and Royal Danish Air Force. As a two-star ...
'' and commander of 8. Panzer-Division
Notes
References
Citations
Bibliography
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hax, Heinrich
1900 births
1969 deaths
Sportspeople from Berlin
People from the Province of Brandenburg
Major generals of the German Army (Wehrmacht)
German Army personnel of World War I
Reichswehr personnel
Prussian Army personnel
Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
World War II prisoners of war held by the Soviet Union
German prisoners of war in World War II
German male sport shooters
Olympic medalists in shooting
Olympic shooters for Germany
Olympic silver medalists for Germany
Shooters at the 1932 Summer Olympics
Shooters at the 1936 Summer Olympics
ISSF pistol shooters
Olympic modern pentathletes for Germany
Modern pentathletes at the 1928 Summer Olympics
Male modern pentathletes
Medalists at the 1932 Summer Olympics
Medalists at the 1936 Summer Olympics
Major generals of the German Army
Military personnel from Berlin