Radetzky, Josef

(1766–1858)

   An Austrian military leader, Josef Count Radetzky of Radetz was born November 1766 in Trebnice, Bohemia. His military career started in 1784, when he joined the Austrian army. As an officer he gained experience in the wars against the Ottoman Empire and Revolutionary France. In the Napoleonic Wars, he held commanding positions in several campaigns. At the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, he was chief of staff of the allied commander Prince Karl Philip Schwarzenberg. Unsuccessful in his efforts to reform the Austrian army, he nevertheless became one of the most influential military leaders in Austrian history. As commander-in-chief of the Austrian army in Northern Italy since 1831, Radetzky improved the fighting capabilities of his troops. In the revolution of 1848–1849, Radetzky defeated the Italian forces challenging Habsburg control over northern Italy decisively at Custoza 1848 and Novara 1849. From 1850 to 1857, he served as governor of Lombardy-Venetia. He died January 1858 in Milan.

   See also <>.

   FURTHER READING:

    Regele, Oskar. Feldmarschall Radetzky. Vienna: Herold Verlag, 1957.

   GUENTHER KRONENBITTER