Paul Laux
German general in the Wehrmacht
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Paul Laux (11 November 1887 – 2 September 1944) was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 16th Army. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany.
Weimar Republic
Nazi Germany
Paul Laux | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 November 1887 |
| Died | 2 September 1944 (aged 56) |
| Allegiance | German Empire Weimar Republic Nazi Germany |
Branch | German Army |
Service years | 1907–1944 |
Rank | General der Infanterie |
| Commands | 126th Infantry Division II Army Corps 16th Army |
Conflicts | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Laux took command of the 10th Division in Passau. On 18 March some of these troops reached Vienna.[1] In March 1939, when National Socialists and the 85th Infantry Regiment commemorated fallen heroes on the Passau Cathedral Square, Laux praised Adolf Hitler.[2] Next, his men invaded Bohemia. On 13 April Laux commemorated the annexation of Austria in Passau.[3]
As commanding officer of the 126th Infantry Division, Laux took part in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union.[4] On 29 August 1944 Paul Laux crashed during a reconnaissance flight. He died of his injuries on 2 September 1944.
Awards
- Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (January 1940) & 1st Class (July 1940)[5]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knight's Cross on 14 December 1941 as Generalleutnant and commander of 126. Infanterie-Division[6]
- 237th Oak Leaves on 17 May 1943 as General der Infanterie and commander of II Armeekorps[7]