Johann von Hiller

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Johann Baron von Hiller (June 10, 1754 – June 5, 1819) was an Austrian general during the Napoleonic era. He held an important command during the 1809 campaign against France and played an important role in the Battle of Aspern-Essling.

Von Hiller, born into a military family, served as a cadet in a Saxon regiment and as a lieutenant in the Wurttemberg Dragoons, then becoming a captain in a border regiment in 1774, a regiment he would eventually command.

Hiller fought in the Prussian theater during the War of the Bavarian Succession (1778-1779). Distinguishing himself in the Austro-Turkish War (1787-1792) for his vigor in defending his sector of Croatia, von Hiller was made Lieutenant Colonel in 1788 and was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Maria Theresa. During the siege of Berbir, von Hiller again distinguished himself and was promoted full Colonel.

He served as general aide to Field Marshall Laudon, then returned to command his border regiment. Promoted Major General in 1774, von Hiller was assigned to the army in Italy, serving as Quartermaster General to the army in Lombardy.

In 1796 von Hiller commanded a brigade in the Army of the Rhine, but ill health compelled him to retire. He returned in 1798, to participate in the campaign against the French in Switzerland. He was wounded in the Battle of Zürich (June 4, 1799). Hiller was then posted to the command of the Zagreb (Croatian) military district, then to command of the Tyrol district. He retained command of this district, which did not see major action, during the war of the Third Coalition. Following the peace, von Hiller was made commander of Salzburg and Upper Austria.

When war with France broke out in 1809, he was given command of XV Corps covering the left wing of the main Austrian army. Engaged and defeated on April 20 by Oudinot's corps south of Abensburg and Eckmühl, he retreated in good order toward Linz from April 25 to May 3. Further battle on May 3 with Masséna's corps forced von Hiller to withdraw with Mautern across the Danube.

In the Battle of Aspern-Essling, von Hiller commanded the extreme right of the Austrian line. His corps fought well during the desperate two days of fighting in the town of Aspern and contributed materially to the Austrian victory.

Following peace with France, von Hiller was made commanding general of Croatia and, in 1811, of Slavonia and Styria. In 1813 he commanded the Italian theater, opposing the army of Eugéne de Beauharnais. While von Hiller was not defeated, his cautious operations failed to achieve a decisive victory, and he was recalled.