Baron Pál Kray de Krajova et Topolya (German: Paul Freiherr Kray von Krajova und Topola; Hungarian: Krajovai és Topolyai báró Kray Pál; February 5, 1735, - January 19, 1804) was an Hungarian-Austrian soldier during the French Revolutionary Wars. He was born in Késmárk, Upper Hungary. He was educated in mathematical and other military sciences in Schemnitz and Vienna.
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Kray was born at Kežmarok.
Entering the Austrian army at the age of 19, he arrived somewhat rapidly at the grade of major, but it was many years before he had any opportunity of distinguishing himself. In 1784 he suppressed a rising in Transylvania, and in the Austro-Turkish War (1787-1791) he took an active part at Porczeny and the Vulcan Pass.
Made General-Major in 1790, three years later, he commanded the advance guard of the Allies operating in France. He distinguished himself at Famars, Wissembourg, Charleroi, Fleurus, and, indeed, at almost every encounter with the troops of the French Republic. On 4 March 1796 he received promotion to Feldmarschal-Leutnant. In the celebrated campaign of 1796, on the Rhine and Danube, he did conspicuous service as a corps commander. At Wetzlar, he defeated Jean Kléber, and, at the battles of Amberg and Würzburg, he was largely responsible for the victory of the Archduke Charles of Austria. In the following year, he was less successful, being defeated on the Lahn, at Mainz, and in the Battle of Neuwied.
Kray commanded in Italy in 1799, and reconquered the plain of Lombardy from the French. He won a sharp action at Legnago on 26 March. For his victory over the French at the Battle of Magnano on 5 April, he was promoted Feldzeugmeister (artillery lieutenant general). This victory caused a deep withdrawal by the French army to the Adda River. Nevertheless, Kray was replaced when Michael von Melas arrived to take command of the Austrian forces. While the field army won two more major battles, Kray conducted the successful sieges of Peschiera del Garda and Mantua. At the Battle of Novi, he commanded the divisions of Peter Ott and Heinrich Bellegarde.[1] On 6 November, he was defeated by the French in a second clash at Novi Ligure.[2]
The following year he commanded on the Rhine against Jean Moreau. As a consequence of his defeats at the battles of Stockach, Messkirch, Biberach, Iller River, and Höchstädt, Kray was driven into Ulm. However, by a skillful march round Moreau's flank he succeeded in escaping to Bohemia. After a 15 July truce became effective he was relieved of his command by Emperor Francis II and dismissed from the service. Kray's successor, Archduke John of Austria was disastrously defeated at the Battle of Hohenlinden in December.
Thoroughly discredited and personally demoralized, the once respected general retired to his estates to live out his life in exile. Austrian society could be cruel to its losers. When the Habsburg officer corps shunned him, he was left almost friendless, the memories of his fine service during the Seven Years War vanished. Later Archduke Charles would write Kray a flattering letter explaining that the boorish behavior directed toward him stemmed from envy over his previous victories.[3]
Kray died in Pest, Hungary in January 1804.
Kray was one of the best representatives of the old Austrian army. Tied to an obsolete system, and unable, from habit, to realise the changed conditions of warfare, he failed, but his enemies held him in the highest respect as a brave, skilful, and chivalrous opponent. It was he who, at Altenkirchen, cared for the dying Marceau (1796), and the white uniforms of Kray and his staff mingled with the blue of the French in the funeral procession of the young general of the Republic.