Ottenfeld’s Austrian Army of the Eighteenth Century
By Bruce Bassett-Powell
26 Pages of text and 27 color plates.
Although this account begins with the Austrian army from the end of the seventeenth century, it is essentially the story of Maria Theresa’s army, which, from 1740, defended the Hapsburg Empire from its enemies until the French Revolution. This was when the colorful corps recruited from the fringes of the Empire were raised; the Hungarian regiments, the border Croats and the Pandours. This was when the flamboyant Hungarian Hussars would contrast with the somberly clad regiments of Cuirassiers and dragoons and new corps such as the Ulans or lancers from Polish Galicia would be formed. The reign of Maria Theresa would be noted for the organization that she brought to the Army and, despite its losses against the forces of Frederick the great, would emerge from the Seven Years War much strengthened while its erstwhile enemy was substantially weakened. The illustrations of Rudolf von Ottenfeld do must justice to this legendary army and each one is accompanied by a detailed text describing the uniforms and history of the units involved.
By Bruce Bassett-Powell
26 Pages of text and 27 color plates.
Although this account begins with the Austrian army from the end of the seventeenth century, it is essentially the story of Maria Theresa’s army, which, from 1740, defended the Hapsburg Empire from its enemies until the French Revolution. This was when the colorful corps recruited from the fringes of the Empire were raised; the Hungarian regiments, the border Croats and the Pandours. This was when the flamboyant Hungarian Hussars would contrast with the somberly clad regiments of Cuirassiers and dragoons and new corps such as the Ulans or lancers from Polish Galicia would be formed. The reign of Maria Theresa would be noted for the organization that she brought to the Army and, despite its losses against the forces of Frederick the great, would emerge from the Seven Years War much strengthened while its erstwhile enemy was substantially weakened. The illustrations of Rudolf von Ottenfeld do must justice to this legendary army and each one is accompanied by a detailed text describing the uniforms and history of the units involved.
