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Johann Freiherr Haas von Haagenfels (March 24, 1864 in Haag, Austria – May 15, 1932 in Vienna) was an Austro-Hungarian Army Officer. His exploits during World War I earned him numerous decorations, including the prestigious Military Order of Maria Theresa, the highest Austro-Hungarian Military decoration. (184th Promotion on 17 August 1917).
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Career
In the beginning of World War I, Lieutenant Colonel (Oberstleutnant) Johann Haas von Haagenfels commanded Feldjägerbattalion 21. For heroic leadership, he was elevated to the hereditary Austrian nobility with the title "von Haagenfels" on 15 March 1916. Promoted to full colonel (Oberst) and commanding officer of Infantry Regiment 74, he was awarded the Order of Maria Theresia in 1917 and subsequently received a hereditary Austrian baronetcy on 12 September 1918. He was, as of 15 October 1918, commanding officer of the 50 Infantry Brigade, part of Generalmajor Werz von Ostenkampf's 25th Infantry Division. On this day, Haas von Haagenfeld's 50th Brigade consisted of 4th Infantry Regiment, 5th Feldjäger Battalion, 6th Feldjäger Battalion and 10th Feldjäger Battalion. The Division was part of Field Marshal Svetozar Borevic's Army Group Boroević.
After the Great War
Baron von Haagenfels was one of the officers who immediately supported the new Austrian Republic. Promoted to brigadier general (Generalmajor), he was appointed commanding officer of the Volkswehr, the predecessor of the Austrian Federal Army in Vienna and Lower Austria.