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Johann HotzeBaron, Austrian military leader.
Date of Birth: 20.04.1739
Country:  Switzerland |
Content:
- Ludwig von Hotze
- Austrian Service
- Imperial Tutor and General
- War of the First Coalition
- Commander of the Upper Rhine Army
- Continued Victories
- Swiss Campaigns and Death
- Legacy
Ludwig von Hotze
Early Life and Military ServiceLudwig von Hotze was born on April 20, 1739, in Richterwil, Switzerland. He came from a Swiss Protestant family, and his father was a physician. He received his education at the University of Tübingen.
In 1758, Hotze began his military career as an ensign in the Württemberg army. In 1759, he transferred to the Russian service and fought in the war against Turkey from 1768 to 1774. For his distinction, he was promoted to premier major in 1774.
Austrian Service
In 1778, Hotze joined the Austrian army as a major at the invitation of Emperor Joseph II. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1783. In 1786, he was transferred to Galicia and commanded the 8th Dragoon Regiment.
Imperial Tutor and General
Upon his return from a diplomatic mission to Russia, Hotze was appointed tutor to the heir apparent, Archduke Franz. When Franz became emperor, he bestowed the title of baron on Hotze and promoted him to major general in 1793.
War of the First Coalition
During the War of the First Coalition, Hotze distinguished himself in the assault on the Weissenburg position in 1793. For this action, he was awarded the Order of Maria Theresa. In 1795, he commanded a detached force that captured Mannheim and achieved victories at Edesheim and Kaiserslautern. For the Mannheim operation, he was promoted to lieutenant field marshal.
Commander of the Upper Rhine Army
In 1796, Hotze was appointed commander of the Upper Rhine Army, which operated against the army of Jean Baptiste Jourdan. He forced Jourdan to retreat across the Lahn and Sieg rivers after a bloody battle at Malsch.
Continued Victories
Hotze played a key role in several important battles, including the defense against the French under Moreau at Esslingen and the defeat of the French at Neresheim. As commander of the vanguard in Archduke Charles' army, he fought with distinction at Neumarkt, Lauf, Burg, Eberbach, and Würzburg.
Swiss Campaigns and Death
In 1799, Hotze was assigned to command a 25,000-man corps to defend the Swiss-German border against the invasion of André Masséna. He captured the Luciensteig pass and defeated the French at Disentis and Winterthur.
Hotze reunited with Archduke Charles and contributed to his victory at Zurich on September 14–15, 1799. However, during a reconnaissance mission on September 25, he was killed near Schenis on the Linth River.
Legacy
Ludwig von Hotze left behind a written account of his military campaigns, entitled "Description of Field Marshal Wurmser's Campaign on the Upper Rhine."
