Ernst Gideon von Laudon
Moravian Margraviate, Holy Roman Empire | |
|---|---|
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  Russian Empire Holy Roman Empire (from 1742) |
| Service/ | Army of the Holy Roman Empire Imperial Army (Holy Roman Empire) |
| Years of service | 1732–1790 |
| Rank | Generalfeldmarschall |
| Battles/wars |
|
| Awards | Military Order of Maria Theresa, Knight's Cross and Grand Cross Russian Honor Sword from Empress Catherine the Great (1760) Bust in the Walhalla (memorial) |
Ernst Gideon von Laudon, since 1759 Freiherr von Laudon (originally Laudohn or Loudon; 13 February 1717 – 14 July 1790), was a
Background and early career
Laudon was the son of Otto Gerhard
After the 1739 Treaty of Belgrade, he returned to the Russian court at Saint Petersburg. Dissatisfied with his prospects and the conditions in the Russian Army, he finally resigned in 1741 and sought military employment elsewhere. He applied first to King Frederick the Great, who however declined his services. At Vienna he had better fortune, being made a captain in the Freikorps of Franz von der Trenck. During the War of the Austrian Succession, he took part in its forays and marches, though not in its atrocities, until wounded and taken prisoner in Alsace. He was shortly released by the advance of the main Austrian army.[1]
Silesian Wars
His next active service, still under Trenck, was in the Silesian mountains in 1745 (during the Second Silesian War against Prussia), in which campaign he greatly distinguished himself as a leader of light troops. He was present also at the Battle of Soor. He retired shortly afterwards, owing to his distaste for the lawless habits of his comrades in the irregulars, and after long waiting in poverty for a regular commission he was at last made a captain in one of the frontier regiments, spending the next ten years in half-military, half-administrative work in the Karlovac district on the Military Frontier. At Bunić, where he was stationed, he built a church and planted an oak forest now called by his name. He had reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel when the outbreak of the Seven Years' War called him again into the field. From this point began his fame as a soldier. At first rejected by General Wilhelm Reinhard von Neipperg, he soon was promoted colonel at the behest of Chancellor Wenzel Anton Kaunitz and distinguished himself repeatedly. He drew attention at the small but much reported night raid on Ostritz on 1 January 1757 and during that year fought in Bohemia and Saxony under Feldmarschall Maximilian Ulysses Browne and became a Generalfeldwachtmeister (equivalent to major-general) of cavalry as well as a knight of the newly founded Maria Theresa Military Order.[1]
In the
He was placed in command of the Austrian contingent sent to join the Russians on the Oder, and participated in
Later career
After the peace, therefore, when Daun became the virtual commander-in-chief of the army, Laudon fell into the background. Offers were made, by Frederick the Great amongst others, to induce Laudon to transfer his services elsewhere. Laudon did not entertain these proposals, although negotiations went on for some years, and on Lacy succeeding Daun as president of the
Maria Theresa and
In 1778 came the War of the Bavarian Succession. Joseph and Lacy were now reconciled to Laudon and Laudon and Lacy commanded the two armies in the field. On this occasion, however, Laudon seems to have in a measure fallen below his reputation, while Lacy, who was opposed to Frederick's own army, earned new laurels.[3]
For two years after this Laudon lived quietly at Hadersdorf. A
He died within the year, at Nový Jičín (Neu-Titschein) in Moravia, still on duty. His last appointment was that of commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Austria, which had been created for him by the new emperor Leopold. Laudon was buried in the grounds of Hadersdorf. Eight years before his death the emperor Joseph had caused a marble bust of this great soldier to be placed in the chamber of the council of war.[3]
His nephew
Personal life
Loudon was married in
Gallery
-
![Coat of arms of the Laudon family [de], in the Baltic Coat of arms book by Carl Arvid von Klingspor in 1882.[6]](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Laudon_COA.png/206px-Laudon_COA.png)
Coat of arms of theBaltic Coat of arms book by Carl Arvid von Klingspor in 1882.[6] -
Laudon in victory pose at the Battle of Kunersdorf, 1878 portrait by Siegmund L'Allemand -
Marble bust by Giuseppe Ceracchi
![Coat of arms of the Laudon family [de], in the Baltic Coat of arms book by Carl Arvid von Klingspor in 1882.[6]](/File:Laudon_COA.png)
.jpg)
Notes
The first battleship of the Ersatz Monarch class of the Austro-Hungarian Navy (officially known as Schiff VIII) was to be named Laudon. The ship was never completed due to the outbreak of World War I which interrupted all major warship construction in Austria-Hungary.
The phrase fix Laudon is a light curse sometimes used in Austria. It is said that it was first uttered by Maria Theresa upon her hearing of the loss of Silesia to Frederick the Great.[7]
Regarding personal names: Freiherr is a former title (translated as Baron). In Germany since 1919, it forms part of family names. The feminine forms are Freifrau and Freiin.
References
- ^ a b c d Chisholm 1911, p. 26.
- ^ Chisholm 1911, pp. 26–27.
- ^ a b c d e f g Chisholm 1911, p. 27.
- ^ https://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Loudon,_Baron_Ernst_Gideon
- ^ Rittersberka, Jan Ritter Z. (1831). "Biographische Skizzen berühmter Feldherren des k. K. österreichischen Heeres von den ältesten bis auf die neuesten Zeiten ... Als Text zu den in 18 Heften enthaltenen 72 Abbildungen der k. K. österreichischen Generalität".
- ISBN 978-0-543-98710-5. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- ^ de:Fix Laudon!
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Loudon, Ernst Gideon, Freiherr von". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 26–27.
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