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Ferdinand Bubna fon LittitsCount, Field Marshal
Date of Birth: 26.11.1768
Country:  France |
Content:
- Early Life and Military Career
- Senior Command
- Diplomatic Missions
- Austrian Envoy to France
- Military Campaign of 1813
- Occupation of Geneva and Invasion of France
- Post-Napoleonic Career
Early Life and Military Career
General Count Bubna was born into an aristocratic Bohemian noble family. He began his military service in 1784 as an officer in the Austrian infantry. In the war against the Ottoman Empire (1788-1790), he served as a senior lieutenant in a dragoon regiment. Subsequently, he fought in the French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1796).
Senior Command
In 1799, Bubna was promoted to lieutenant colonel and appointed aide-de-camp to Archduke Charles of Austria. In 1801, he became a colonel in the Hofkriegsrat, the Austrian War Council. He briefly served as the representative of Prince Liechtenstein at Napoleon's headquarters. In 1805, he was transferred to the Hofkriegsrat as head of the Military Department.
Diplomatic Missions
During the Battle of Austerlitz (1805), Bubna was on Prince Liechtenstein's staff and acted as a parliamentarian to Napoleon. After Austria's defeat at Wagram (1809), he was again sent to France with a peace proposal.
Austrian Envoy to France
In 1812, Bubna served as Austria's ambassador to France. From January to August 1813, he was the personal representative of Prince Karl Schwarzenberg in Paris. He unsuccessfully sought peace negotiations with Napoleon.
Military Campaign of 1813
Bubna fought in several battles of the 1813 campaign, including Lützen, Bautzen, and Dresden. From August 1813, he commanded the 2nd Light Division, which participated in the Battle of Leipzig. After the battle, he led a pursuit of French forces across the Rhine to Switzerland.
Occupation of Geneva and Invasion of France
In December 1813, Bubna occupied Geneva. He then invaded southeastern France with a 20,000-strong force, capturing Lyon and forcing the retreat of Marshal Augereau's corps. However, he was eventually compelled to withdraw to Geneva.
Post-Napoleonic Career
After the start of Napoleon's return in 1815, Bubna was appointed governor of Savoy, Piedmont, and Nice. He commanded the 2nd Army Corps in Italy and participated in the operations around Lyon. From 1818 to 1821, he commanded Austrian troops in Lombardy and suppressed a rebellion in Piedmont before retiring from active service.
