Vinzent Bianki Baron, Duke di Casalanza (1815), Field Marshal (1812). Date of Birth: 20.02.1768 Country: Germany

1. Early Life and Education
2. Campaigns against the Ottomans and the French
3. Rise through the Ranks
4. Napoleonic Wars
5. Campaign in Russia (1812)
6. Campaign in Germany (1813)
7. Campaign in France (1814)
8. Campaign in Italy (1815)
9. Later Life and Death

Early Life and Education

Vincent Ferrerius Friedrich Bianchi was born on February 20, 1768, in Vienna, the son of a physics professor. He received a military education at the Engineering Academy and entered the army as a lieutenant in the engineering corps in 1787.

Campaigns against the Ottomans and the French

Bianchi fought in the war against the Ottoman Empire (1788) and distinguished himself in the 1792 campaign under Prince Hohenlohe. He participated in the siege of Mannheim in 1795 and served under General Count D. von Wurmser in Italy in 1796. In 1797, he was captured at the Battle of Rivoli but was later released.

Rise through the Ranks

In 1799, Bianchi was promoted to major and assigned to the young Archduke Ferdinand d'Este. He became a colonel in 1800 and commanded a regiment in Cattaro from 1804. During the 1805 campaign, he served as adjutant general to Archduke Ferdinand's army and was promoted to major general in 1807.

Napoleonic Wars

In the 1809 campaign, Bianchi led a brigade in the 5th Army Corps under Archduke Ludwig, distinguishing himself at Kirchdorf, Neumarkt, Aspern, and Pressburg. He was promoted to lieutenant field marshal and became inspector general in Hungary after the peace treaty.

Campaign in Russia (1812)

As part of the Austrian auxiliary corps under General K. Schwarzenberg, Bianchi participated in the invasion of Russia (1812) as commander of the reserve division.

Campaign in Germany (1813)

In 1813, Bianchi commanded a corps (approximately 25,000 men). He played a key role in the Battle of Dresden and distinguished himself at Kulm and Leipzig.

Campaign in France (1814)

During the fighting in France (1814), Bianchi commanded the left wing of the Austrian Southern Army.

Campaign in Italy (1815)

After Napoleon's return to France in 1815, Bianchi was appointed commander-in-chief of the troops operating on the Po River against Joachim Murat. He marched from Bologna and Florence to Foligniano and crossed the Apennines on April 29. Bianchi's victory over the Neapolitan troops at Tolentino (May 2-3, 1815) effectively ended the campaign. He signed the Convention of Casalanza on May 20, restoring the Bourbons to the Neapolitan throne, and entered Naples on May 22. He was given the title of Duke by Ferdinand IV, King of Naples and the Two Sicilies.

Later Life and Death

After the conclusion of the Peace of Paris, Bianchi became a member of the Hofkriegsrat (Imperial War Council). He retired in 1824 and resided on his estate until his death from cholera on August 21, 1855, in Sauerbrunn, near Rohitsch.