Product Description

The Austrian Army fought Napoleon in more major campaigns and battles than any other, either alone or as part of successive Allied coalitions. This book examines the multi-national character of the army that makes it intriguing and colourful - the Austrian generals were a much more varied group, in background and character, than those of many other armies of the day. They were far from all being Germanic princes and nobles; many were Western "soldiers of fortune" or exiles, of German, French or even Anglo-Irish background; some were from the East - Hungarians and Yugoslavians; some were of humble birth - including one who rose from common soldier to chief of staff. The book describes commanders of the most famous Napoleonic battles including Marengo, Austerlitz, Aspem-Essling, Wagram and Leipzig, analyzing how individual strengths, weaknesses and characters affected the outcome of many of the most famous battles of the day.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #554449 in Books
• Published on: 2004-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 64 pages

From the Author
It is a French Revolutionary myth, perpetuated by Napoleon and his fans, that the Austrian generalcy was comprised of German Catholic aristocrats. As Empress Maria Theresa knew in the mid-18th century, this group were about the last to sign up for military duty. Instead, they comprise a group of men from all parts of the Empire and beyond of varying social status and religion, but all bound together in serving the Austrian monarch. The bulk of them had joined the army as cadets, who were the most intelligent of the recruits and advanced up through the senior ranks on a meritocratic basis. In addition, Austria was far ahead of the other major nations in developing the senior command structure we know today - the key men were the chiefs of staff and senior staff officers together with able men, who could lead independent forces (usually known as korps) on specified missions.
Although I only had one book (compared with two for the UK and France), I have attempted to include as many lengthy biographies as possible - instead of the standard 24 (eight 3-man plates), there are over 30 and additional note son another 20 or so. In addition, I would commend Bernard Voykowitsch's Castiglione book for about 15 more. With these two works and the Marengo/Eggmuhl Campaigns books from Osprey, a reader can amass some background on over 70 key leaders of the army, which fought the French throughout the war.

Excerpted from Austrian Commanders of the Napoleonic Wars (Elite S.) by David Hollins, Christopher Rothero. Copyright © 2004. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Plate D) Charles’ key commanders in Germany in 1796:
1) Heinrich Freiherr von Schmitt (c.1743-1805), wearing the uniform of a Staff Oberst as Charles’ Chief of Staff, was considered one of Austria’s most able soldiers in his own lifetime: "Everyone was fortunate, who served under him, because his intelligent understanding, his knowledge and his bravery were mixed with equally as much humanity and great courage. His look was very captivating: a slim body, noble facial features and in them, such an unmistakable expression of good living and openness, that you could not look at him, without feeling well-inclined towards him. The main feature of his character however was a great tranquillity in the face of all events. This strength of spirit doesn’t seem to have so much have been born in him but appeared as a result of his principles and experiences and they never left him neither in the heat of battle any more than in all the other activities of his life."

2) Anton von Mayer as a Staff Major wearing the optional plain straw yellow waistcoat. From 1798, when the Staff officers adopted a dark green coat, they wore their silk Feldbinde off the right shoulder on to the left hip. Following Schmitt’s death, Mayer developed an over-high opinion of himself. He regularly expressed his view around the Viennese salons during 1808-9 that he was superior to many of his colleagues, in the confident belief that he was protected by his position. A combination of this, resistance to his aggressive plan of campaign and his drinking habits led to his dismissal and banishment to the Frontier fortress of Brod for the duration of the 1809 war.
3) FML Karl Graf Hadik (1756-1800) was the second son of the celebrated Hussar leader, Andreas Hadik, but aged 17, had joined the infantry as a Kadett. By 1776, he was a Hauptmann in IR20, distinguishing himself at Gebersdorf in 1779. Transferred to the cavalry as a Major in his father’s regiment, CR16 Hadik Hussars, he was promoted to Oberst in 1789. Independently, he volunteered to serve in the Turkish war, distinguishing himself during the taking of Belgrade. Returning to his unit in the Netherlands in 1790, he showed sound judgement and decisiveness at Aldenhoven and Gilles during the 1793 campaign. At the head of a mixed Hussar and infantry advance-guard, he drove the French from strong positions at Icumont on 29 September and on 15 October, he commanded the army left wing at Wattignes and despite the defeat there, he led his men against the French right a few days later to halt their pursuit. Promoted to GM and awarded the MTO in 1794, Hadik then served as a brigade commander in Germany, distinguishing himself at Wetzlar and Kircheip in 1796 before leading a key column assault at Amberg. At the decisive victory of Würzburg, Hadik led the cavalry attacks and won the MTO Commander Cross for his bravery. Promoted to FML in 1797, he led a division in Italy during the Second Coalition. Known for his intelligent and courageous leadership, Hadik was fatally wounded in the first assault at Marengo. He is wearing a campaign version of the parade uniform worn by Ott in Plate C2. Prior to 1798, most Hussar Generals wore either a red uniform or as here a white version, with a hechtgrau pelisse, edged in less thick fur.
4) FML Friedrich Graf Nauendorff (1749-1801) Aged 47, Nauendorff wears the red version of the Hussar General uniform with white campaign overalls. He was the son of a minor Saxon noble, who was a Hauptmann in the Austrian infantry, but joined 8. Hussars in 1763 as a Kadett. Promoted to Major during the Bavarian Succession War, he quickly became known for his cunning and insight, leading surprise raids on the Prussian rear and for his capture of fortified posts around Gerbersdorf, he was ennobled as a Graf alongside the award of the MTO. Promoted to Oberstlt. in 1784, he regularly put Turkish cavalry to flight in the 1788-91 war before directing the surprise capture of the enemy camp on Borecs island on 16 September 1789, which won him promotion to Oberst. Moved to Belgium in late 1792, his continued spectacular raids brought promotion to GM in the following year. In 1795, he led his light cavalry across the Main at an unexpected point near Mainz to raid the French besieging force before scattering it and taking most of the siege artillery, as the enemy fled their trenches under Austrian attack on 29 August. On 6 November, his surprise attack near Rochenshausen prevented the junction of two French armies and for his exploits was awarded the MTO Commander Cross. Like several of his Hungarian colleagues, he was far more effective than his French opponents in gaining a full picture of enemy movements, often by directing large reconnaissances in force. He also proved an able independent corps commander under Charles in 1796, who selected this experienced advance-guard commander to lead a large contingent in Germany in 1796 to counter Moreau’s advance in the south and direct a similar mission against Jourdan in 1799, following which he was appointed Inhaber of the regiment he had joined 36 years earlier. He led large advance formations under Kray in 1800, but the rigours of campaigning had taken their toll and he retired.

Customer Reviews

recommended
This title would have been award five stars but for the poor artwork. However, the black and white prints make up for it and the text attempts to destroy the often believed myth that the Austrian Commanders were all incompetent old dodderers. This is achieved by the author describing the military skills and exploits of over thirty Commanders and explains why, in reality, most battles fought between the Austrians and the French were no easy affairs. However, the text does contain an element of bias, in that the author is quick to praise the Austrians while failing to criticize them. An example being the praise given to Archduke Charles and other Commanders for defeating Napoleon at Aspern, while at the same time offering no real criticism on their inability to destroy the trapped and heavily outnumbered French army, which eventually led to the Austrians being defeated a few weeks later and effectively knocked out of the war. In short, besides offering a brief but informative introduction to the various Commanders, the author inadvertently helps boost the skill of Napoleon and the French who, despite the well described abilities of the Austrians, were able to defeat them so often. A welcome addition.