Hans Fritsch

Hans Fritsch placed 11th in the discus throw at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and was the flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony for the German Reich. In 1931 he was runner-up at the German Championships in decathlon, while in 1935 and 1936 he was third in the discus throw. In 1971 the former policeman was one of the founding members of the German Olympians Association (GDO). He was also a talented pianist.

During World War II Fritsch was a lieutenant in the information brigade of the German Air Force. He then belonged to the general staff and capitulated at Oldenburg to the British troops without any defense against the strict Nazi order “to defend to the last man.” In 1945 he was then named city councillor in charge of cultural affairs at Oldenburg by the British Military Administration. Later he was among the leading officers building up the new German Air Force within the Bundeswehr.

Personal Best: DT – 49.60 (1939).