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 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

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Bibliography

* * * {{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