Karl Mack von Leiberich

Karl Mack is born on August 25th , 1752 in Nennslingen. In 1770 he joins the second carabinier-regiment as a NCO. To his benefit, he attracts the notice of the regiments proprietor, Field Marshal count Lacy. In 1778 promoted to second lieutenant, Mack is transferred to the staff of the Quarter Master General in 1783 with the rank of captain. When Austria in 1788 wages war on the Sultan, Mack is promoted to the rank of major and appointed ADC to the Emperor, staying with the headquarters. The following year, then already lieutenant colonel, Mack plays an essential part in conquering the ottoman fortress of Belgrade, thus earning him promotion to full colonel and receiving the knights cross of the military order of Maria Theresia. As a result of the latter, already being ennobled in 1786 with the title "von Leiberich", he gains a barony. After serving some years as a regimental commander with the cavalry, Mack is appointed aide-de-camp general to the C-in-C in the Austrian Netherlands, Prince Coburg. Mack is assigned to carry on negotiations with the French general Dumouriez, leading to the defection of the latter to the Austrians. After being wounded in the battle of Famars, Mack is released from active duty. As a reward for his outstanding service, he is appointed proprietor of a cavalry regiment. The following year 1794 Mack is reactivated and promoted to Major General. Being appointed Quarter Master General of the Emperor, Mack conducts the operations of the main body of the Austrian army in the Netherlands, until Emperor Francis II. leaves the army, giving Mack permission also to withdraw. In 1797 Mack is promoted to Lieutenant Field Marshal. When one year later, in 1798, the King of Naples launched a preventive strike against the French troops in the Territory of the Roman Republic, Mack receives the assignment as C-in-C of the Neapolitan army. The campaign turned out to be disastrous. Mack is forced to take refuge at the French headquarters, lest to be lynched by the urban mob. He is treated as POW, first being confined in Dijon, later in Paris. In 1800, contrary to his word of honour, he escapes from the French capital. After some years of retirement, Mack in 1805 is again called to active duty. He is appointed Quarter Master General to the Emperor, but in fact is serving as acting C-in-C of the Austrian army in Germany. On October 20th , 1805 Mack is forced to surrender his army to Napoleon, after the latter had encircled him in the town of Ulm. Mack is court-martialled, which resulted in his degradation, the loss of his regiment and the order of Maria Theresia and the sentence of two years confinement to a fortress. Mack is released on parole in 1808. In 1819 he is reinstated into his rank and his position as knight of the order of Maria Theresia. Mack dies on October 22nd, 1828 in St. Pölten.