Christian Wolfskehl von Reichenberg (1761 – 8 May 1809) was a talented cavalry officer who fought in the armies of Habsburg Austria and the Austrian Empire during the Austro-Turkish War, French Revolutionary Wars, and Napoleonic Wars. In the War of the Third Coalition, he led a cavalry brigade in an escape from an apparently hopeless position. He was promoted to command a cavalry division during the War of the Fifth Coalition and was killed in action while leading his troopers against the French at the Battle of Piave River in May 1809.[1]
Christian Wolfskehl von Reichenberg | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1761 Würzburg, Prince-Bishopric of Würzburg |
| Died | 8 May 1809 (aged 47) Ponte della Priula, Italy |
| Allegiance |  Habsburg monarchy Austrian Empire |
| Service | Cavalry |
| Rank | Feldmarschall-Leutnant |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Military Order of Maria Theresa |
Early career
editChristian Wolfskehl von Reichenberg was born in Würzburg in the Prince-Bishopric of Würzburg in 1761.[1] His younger brother was Philipp Siegmund Freiherr Wolfskehl von Reichenberg (1762–1838).[2] He joined the Habsburg Austrian army in 1788 at the start of the War of the Bavarian Succession, serving as a under-lieutenant in the Levenehr Chevau-léger Regiment No. 19.[1] Wolfskehl served in the Austro-Turkish War as a captain in the Wallisch Cuirassier Regiment No. 20. During this conflict he was recognized as a gifted cavalry officer.[2] He was promoted major in Vienna in September 1791.[1]
Notes
edit- ^ a b c d Smith & Kudrna 2008.
- ^ a b Ebert 2022.
References
edit- Arnold, James R. (1995). Napoleon Conquers Austria. Westport, Conn.: Praeger Publishers. ISBN 0-275-94694-0.
- Bowden, Scotty; Tarbox, Charlie (1980). Armies on the Danube 1809. Arlington, Tex.: Empire Games Press.
- Ebert, Jens Florian (2022). "Field Marshal Lieutenant Freiherr Wolfskehl von Reichenberg" (in German). Die Österreichischen Generäle 1792-1815. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
- Schneid, Frederick C. (2002). Napoleon's Italian Campaigns: 1805-1815. Westport, Conn.: Praeger Publishers. ISBN 0-275-96875-8.
- Smith, Digby (1998). The Napoleonic Wars Data Book. London: Greenhill. ISBN 1-85367-276-9.
- Smith, Digby; Kudrna, Leopold (2008). "Austrian Generals of 1792-1815: Wolfskehl zu Reichenberg, Christian Freiherr von". napoleon-series.org. Retrieved 9 December 2024.