Leslie Massey
Ernst Gideon von Laudon, also known as Gideon Ernest, was a Baltic German-born Austrian military officer and field marshal. He was born in 1717 in Tootzen, Swedish Livonia (present-day Latvia) and died in 1790 in Neutitschein, now known as Nový Jičín, in Moravia. Laudon served as a cadet in the Imperial Russian Army and later joined the Austrian forces in 1741, distinguishing himself during the War of the Austrian Succession. He rose to prominence during the Seven Years' War, where he led Austrian troops in battles against Prussia and Russia. Laudon also served as the military governor of Habsburg Serbia after capturing Belgrade in 1789 and was appointed commander-in-chief of the Austrian armed forces by Emperor Leopold, a position he held until his death.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place | Laudon, Austria |
| Known for | Austrian military officer, field marshal, and general |
| Date of Birth | February 13, 1717 (or February 2, 1717) |
| Date of Death | July 14, 1790 |
| Birth Place | Tootzen, near Laudohn in Eastern Livonia (present-day Latvia) |
| Parents | Otto Gerhard Ritter von Laudohn and Sophie Eleonore von Bornemann |
| Achievements | One of the most successful opponents of the Prussian king Frederick the Great; victorious at Kunersdorf alongside Pyotr Saltykov; promoted to Feldzeugmeister; commander-in-chief in Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia; captured Schweidnitz in 1761; captured Belgrade in 1789; commander-in-chief of the Austrian armed forces |
| Burial Place | Hadersdorf |
| Statue | Equestrian statue of Gideon Ernst Laudon in Vienna, Austria |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Ernst Gideon von Laudon
Laudon's family, of mixed German and Latgalian origin, settled in the estate of Tootzen, near Laudohn in Eastern Livonia before 1432. His father, Otto Gerhard Ritter von Laudohn, was a lieutenant-colonel in the Swedish service, and his mother, Sophie Eleonore von Bornemann, was of German descent. Laudon joined the Imperial Russian Army as a cadet in 1732 when Livonia was ceded to Russia according to the 1721 Treaty of Nystad. After an unsuccessful attempt to serve in Prussia, he joined the Austrian forces in 1741 and distinguished himself during the War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748).
Laudon's rapid rise to prominence began with the Seven Years' War, where he played a crucial role in the struggle between Austria and Prussia for supremacy in Germany. In 1759, he was promoted to Feldzeugmeister and made commander-in-chief of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia after defeating Frederick II of Prussia at Kunersdorf. In 1760, he destroyed a whole corps of Frederick's army at the Battle of Landeshut and stormed the fortress of Glatz. However, he also faced setbacks, such as the severe defeat at the Battle of Liegnitz in the same year.
Laudon's military career continued with tireless activity, and he served as the inspector-general of infantry and commander-in-chief in Bohemia and Moravia in 1769. After contemplating retirement, he settled on his estate. However, he was called back into service during the Austro-Turkish War of 1787-1791. Despite his old age and frail health, he led the Austrian forces to a brilliant success by capturing Belgrade in just three weeks in 1789. He served as the military governor of Habsburg Serbia until his death, cooperating with the resistance fighters of Koča Anđelković. Laudon's last appointment was as commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Austria, created for him by Emperor Leopold. He passed away while still on duty and was buried in the grounds of Hadersdorf, where a marble bust of him had been erected eight years before his death by Emperor Joseph.
The Spoken Language of Austria in the 1930s
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Austrian military officer
Ernst Gideon von Laudon was a Baltic German-born Austrian military officer and one of the most successful opponents of the Prussian King Frederick the Great. He was born on February 13, 1717, and died on July 14, 1790, at the age of 73. Von Laudon's military career was marked by a series of brilliant successes, including his participation in Kunersdorf alongside the Russians, where he won a great victory. As a result, he was promoted to Feldzeugmeister and made commander-in-chief in Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia. In 1760, he destroyed a whole corps of Frederick's army at the Battle of Landeshut and stormed the fortress of Glatz. However, he also faced setbacks, such as the severe reverse at the Battle of Liegnitz in 1761.
Von Laudon's military career extended beyond his successes and setbacks in battle. He was known for his tireless activity and aggressive strategies, which contrasted with the more cautious approaches of his contemporaries, Counts Leopold Josef von Daun and Franz Moritz von Lacy. This difference in strategic vision created friction between von Laudon and his peers, and he found himself sidelined after the peace, with offers from other monarchs to induce him to transfer his services. Despite this, von Laudon remained a dedicated servant of the Austrian military.
In 1787, a new war with Turkey broke out, and the old and broken-in-health von Laudon was called into the field once more. He served as commander-in-chief and won a brilliant success by capturing Belgrade in just three weeks. He held the position of military governor of Habsburg Serbia and cooperated with the resistance fighters of Koča Anđelković until his death. Von Laudon's last appointment was that of commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Austria, a position created specifically for him by the new emperor Leopold.
To become a military officer in Austria, one must undergo extensive training. The basic officer training consists of three sections, with the first being NCO training level 1, which focuses on the basics of being a soldier and introduces leadership concepts. The second part is NCO training level 2, where candidates learn to lead an infantry squad and handle various weapons. The third section is the basic officer training at the Theresan Military Academy, where participants are referred to as Officer Cadets and are prepared for leadership tasks through the development of military expertise and personal skills. Upon completion, they are awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Military Leadership and are promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.
Austrian Airlines: Exploring the Comfort Class Experience
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Opponent of Prussian king
Ernst Gideon von Laudon, a Baltic German-born Austrian military officer, was one of the most successful opponents of the Prussian king, Frederick the Great. He was born on February 13, 1717, in Tootzen, near Laudohn in present-day Latvia, and served as a cadet in the Imperial Russian Army from a young age.
Laudon's military career was distinguished by his tireless activity and aggressiveness. In 1759, he was placed in command of the Austrian contingent that joined the Russians on the Oder. He participated in the Battle of Kunersdorf alongside Pyotr Saltykov, where their joint Russo-Austrian contingent emerged victorious. This victory led to Laudon's promotion to Feldzeugmeister and commander-in-chief in Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia.
In 1760, Laudon achieved a significant victory by destroying a whole corps of Frederick's army at the Battle of Landeshut and capturing the fortress of Glatz. However, he faced a severe defeat at the hands of Frederick in the Battle of Liegnitz in the same year, which resulted in controversy with the commanders of the main army, Counts Leopold Josef von Daun and Franz Moritz von Lacy.
Laudon continued his military campaigns in Silesia in 1761 but found his Russian allies less supportive. Despite his genius for military strategy, friction developed between him and his Austrian army counterparts, Daun and Lacy, due to their differing approaches to warfare. After the peace treaty, Laudon was offered incentives by Frederick the Great to transfer his services, but he declined.
Laudon's military career spanned several decades, and he was called upon again in 1787 during a war with Turkey. Despite his advanced age and declining health, he successfully captured Belgrade in 1789, serving as the military governor of Habsburg Serbia until his death. Laudon passed away on July 14, 1790, while still on duty, and was buried in Hadersdorf, where he had settled near Vienna during his later years.
Austria's WW1 Strategy: Missed Opportunities?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Commander-in-chief
Ernst Gideon von Laudon, also known as Gideon Ernest, was an Austrian field marshal and commander-in-chief. He was born on February 13, 1717, in Tootzen, Swedish Livonia (now Latvia) and died on July 14, 1790, in Neutitschein, Moravia.
Laudon came from a military family of mixed German and Latgalian origin, with his father being a Swedish officer of Scottish descent and his mother, Sophie Eleonore von Bornemann, being of German descent. He entered the Imperial Russian Army as a cadet in 1732 and later joined the Austrian forces in 1741.
Laudon's military career was distinguished by his success in multiple wars, including the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) and the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), where he was one of the most successful Habsburg commanders. He became commander-in-chief of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia after defeating Frederick II of Prussia at Kunersdorf in 1759 and Landshut in 1760. However, he also faced setbacks, such as his defeat at the Battle of Liegnitz in 1760.
In 1763, Laudon retired, but he was recalled in 1788 during the Austro-Turkish War of 1787-1791. He achieved a notable victory by capturing Belgrade in 1789, which led to his appointment as commander-in-chief of the Austrian armed forces by the new emperor Leopold. Laudon served as the military governor of Habsburg Serbia until his death, working alongside the resistance fighters of Koča Anđelković.
Laudon's legacy is that of a highly skilled and successful military leader who played a crucial role in shaping the outcomes of significant European wars during his lifetime.
Famous Musicians from Vienna: The Austrian Capital's Rich Legacy
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Capture of Belgrade
Ernst Gideon von Laudon, a Baltic German-born Austrian military officer, is known for his role in the capture of Belgrade in 1789. This event was a part of the Austro-Turkish War, which began in 1787 when Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor, committed the Habsburg monarchy to a war against Ottoman Turkey at the urging of Russian Empress Catherine the Great.
In August 1788, Joseph II appointed Laudon commander in Croatia, where he achieved several successes. However, the overall war effort was largely unsuccessful for the Austrians, with most of their attempts thwarted by the Ottomans. In July 1789, Joseph replaced the commander of the main army with Laudon and ordered him to capture Belgrade.
Laudon's army crossed the Sava River in mid-September 1789, beginning the siege of Belgrade with 120,000 soldiers and over 200 cannons. The Austrians faced challenges due to illness but managed to clear the Ottomans from the suburbs by the end of the month. On October 6, 1789, they launched an intense bombardment that rapidly destroyed Belgrade's defenses. Osman Pasha, the Ottoman commander, initially requested a 15-day suspension of military activity, but Laudon refused, and the bombardment continued until the next morning.
On October 7, Osman Pasha asked for a 6-hour suspension, which was granted. After the silence, Osman Pasha and two of his officers met with Laudon and signed the capitulation. The Ottomans agreed to surrender Belgrade in exchange for the safe passage of their garrison and their personal possessions to Orșova. The capture of Belgrade marked a significant victory for the Austrians, and Laudon was named the generalissimo of the Austrian armies. However, the peace was short-lived, and Austria soon faced threats from Prussia and other troubles within the empire.
Calculating Duties for Austria: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Laudon in Austria refers to Ernst Gideon von Laudon, a Baltic German-born Austrian military officer and field marshal. He was one of the most successful opponents of the Prussian king Frederick the Great.
Ernst Gideon von Laudon was born on February 13, 1717, in Tootzen, Swedish Livonia (now present-day Latvia).
Ernst Gideon von Laudon was the son of Otto Gerhard Ritter von Laudohn, a lieutenant-colonel, and Sophie Eleonore von Bornemann. The Laudohn family was of mixed German and Latgalian origin, with alleged kinship to the Earls of Loudoun from Scotland.
Ernst Gideon von Laudon was a highly successful military commander, particularly during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) and the Austro-Turkish War (1787-1791). He defeated Frederick II of Prussia at Kunersdorf and Landshut, and became the commander-in-chief for Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia. He also captured Belgrade from the Turks in 1789 and was made commander-in-chief of the Austrian armed forces.
Yes, Adolf Laudon, an Austrian association football player who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal.
