From Lika to Silesia: the Military Exploits of Gideon Ernst, Baron von Laudon and the Grenzer.

Abstract

Constant warfare throughout the eighteenth century offered plentiful opportunities for young and aspiring officers to advance their military and social positions by performing military services for powerful European rulers. An example of this trend can be provided by the case of Gideon Ernst, Baron von Laudon (1717 – 1790), who achieved remarkable success in Habsburg service during the Seven Years’ War (1756 – 1763). Laudon began his military career in the service of the Romanovs, but during the War of the Austrian Succession (1740 – 1748) he joined the Habsburg armed forces eager to achieve further military experience and glory. He acquired skill and knowledge of small war tactics during his service in Trenck’s Pandour Free Corps. After the war ended, he was awarded a position in the far south of the Habsburg Monarchy, in the Croatian Military Frontier, where he accustomed himself to the military skills of the Grenzer. Upon the outbreak of the Seven Year’s War Laudon led a Grenzer corps to Bohemia where the Habsburg forces were trying to prevent the advance of the Prussians. The events which followed marked the start of Laudon’s rapid ascension within the military hierarchy. Throughout the years he continued to achieve fame and renown by performing numerous military endeavours which inflicted serious damage on the Prussian supply lines making a significant impact on the course of the war in favour of the Habsburg side. Laudon and the Grenzer also participated in major battles, such as Hochkirch and Kunersdorf, as well as assaults on strongholds such as Landeshut and Schweidnitz. The utilization of the unique fighting skills of the Grenzer and small war tactics proved an important factor in Laudon’s rise within the military circles of the Habsburg Monarchy.