Field handball was only part of the Olympic program once, at the 1936 Berlin Games. The German Reich dominated their two preliminary round matches, beating Hungary 22-0 and then the USA 29-1, before winning all three matches in the final round, including a 10-6 win over Austria in the deciding match that won the gold medal. Artur Knautz played two matches in Berlin, including the match against Austria. He won the Westphalian Championship from 1933-35 and German Championship in 1936, with MSV Hindenburg Minden.
He was also a very versatile soccer player and track athlete, with remarkable personal bests in high jump, long jump, discus throw and javelin throw. A trained carpenter, Knautz served as a professional soldier from 1928 and during World War II he was reported missing in action on 1 August 1943 in Russia. In 1954 he was officially declared dead as of 31 December 1945.
Germany