Johann Hermann von Hermannsdorf

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Johann Hermann von Hermannsdorf
Fortifications on the Predil Pass

Johann Hermann von Hermannsdorf (born November 30, 1781 in Prague ; † May 18, 1809 at the Predil Pass ) was an engineer captain in the Austrian Imperial and Royal Army and commander of the fortress on the Predil Pass , which he defended in 1809 against the Napoleonic army .

Life

Johann Hermann was the second son of the Imperial Court Councilor at the Court Chamber in Vienna, Johann Franz Hermann Ritter von Hermannsdorf (born in Vienna in 1748 and died there on March 21, 1816) and a graduate of the Theresian Military Academy . Johann Hermann joined the engineer corps on September 16, 1799 as a cadet from the genius academy, advanced to lieutenant on October 14, 1800, on July 1, 1805 to captain II. Class (en second) and on January 25, 1809 to captain I. Class.

The following is written about the course of the defense of the Predil Pass in the Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, Volume 50: “After Archduke Johann withdrew from Italy, he volunteered, like Captain Hensel to defend the important Predil Fort. He had 4 officers and 218 men of the Szluin border infantry regiment and 35 artillerymen with ten guns. H. refused the request of the French to surrender and the case of Malborghet and the presentation of Austrian prisoners who had to describe the horrific fall of the occupation of that fort did not shake Hermannsdorf's decision. The attack by the French, which had taken place uninterruptedly from the evening on the 15th until the morning of the 18th, was now continued with all its might. The whole Serras division was drawn into the assault and the opponents were already desperate at the possibility of taking the fort when a howitzer grenade detonated in the woodwork of the log house. The fire, fed by a violent wind, spread ever further. Fire threatened to seize the powder chamber, and now Captain Hermannsdorf attempted a sortie. Wounded repeatedly in the scuffle, he finally collapses and is pierced by enemy bayonets. Almost his entire band of heroes fell with him, only a few wounded, who were dragged out from among the dead after the fort was captured, were taken prisoners of war. "

Johann Hermann von Hermannsdorf and his comrade Captain Friedrich Hensel , who defended the fortification in Malborgeth and fell on May 17, 1809, dedicated a hero monument to Emperor Ferdinand I in 1851, which still commemorates their heroic death in Malborghetto and at the Predil Pass . Archduke Johann paid tribute to Johann Hermann's services to his prince and fatherland with a letter to his father Johann Franz. The following copy (original letter see pictures) attests to this.

Letter from Archduke Johann to his father. Address with the Archduke's seal
Letter from Archduke Johann to his father

Dear Mr. Hofrath! If I could just as easily alleviate your just pain at the loss of your son than I willingly fulfill your request, how warmly glad I would then issue the requested document, which proves the merit of your son, but the former is incapable, I can only tell the truth make the cold sacrifice that I loudly confess - “Your son died a hero's death; he fell for his duty, for his prince and fatherland! ”- I had entrusted him with the defense of the log house on the Predil. Conditions that had occurred meant that this fixed point had to be left to its own fate; the enemy approached to attack it, and the defender was heard to fight the battle with honor, rather to fall on the field of glory than to facilitate the enemy's victory, - listening to no request, paying no heed to threats from the enemy, he enlivened his subordinates by example; - Each of his own was ready, like him, to die rather than to leave their post to the enemy without a defense. Every undertaking was difficult for his opponent until he finally managed to set fire to the log cabin. Outside still fighting, her son fell with the sword in his fist only after the enemy had overpowered him, - So her good, noble son fell for the rights of his prince and fatherland, which cannot deny him thanks and respect; Every soldier will sympathetically name his name, which will remain established in the history of war for imitation. Incidentally, receive the assurance of my respect with whom I am, in my headquarters in Keszthely on November 30, 1809

Your affectionate marriage. Johann

At the Kaisl. Royal Herr Hofrath von Hermann (36 kr. Stamp.) Collated and is literally identical to the unstamped originals produced here for me. Znaim on June 17, 1861 Franz Stiger mp (indistinct) kk notary L.S.

Coat of arms of the Ritter Hermann von Hermannsdorf family

Family coat of arms

The following is quoted about the Ritter Hermann von Hermannsdorf family.

Resident in Austria and Germany at an early age. The old nobility was repeatedly confirmed to individuals of the sex; for example Jacob Kaspar, September 1, 1622, Johann Michael and his cousin Elias, 1719, the latter received the Bohemian knighthood in 1727; and finally to Johann Franz, who in 1772 received the confirmation of the nobility, and in 1786 the elevation to the imperial and hereditary knighthood. Now wealthy in Lower Austria.

Coat of arms. Quartered in red and blue with a silver heart shield split by a red linden leaf. 1. u, 4. an armored swordsman; 2. u. 3. To the post three silver stars, behind them on the right a silver moon. - Two crowned helmets: 1. three - red - white - blue - ostrich feathers; Covers: red-silver; H. image of 1. growing; Ceilings: blue-silver.

(See illustration for coat of arms)

War memorial for Captain Johann Hermann von Hermannsdorf at the Predil Pass

Honors

  • 1851 Construction of the monument at the Predil Pass , dedicated by Emperor Ferdinand I.
  • An engraving from the Feste am Predil was the only picture in Emperor Franz Josef's study
  • At the Theresian Military Academy a plaque commemorates Captain Hensel and Captain von Hermannsdorf
  • Hermannsdorf was the sponsor of the 1987 class (Predil) at the Theresian Military Academy
  • The Leibnitz garrison is named after Hermann von Hermannsdorf.
  • Archduke Johann honors the heroic death of Captain Johann Hermann von Hermannsdorf with a letter, written on November 30, 1809 and sent on December 5, 1809, to his father, Councilor Johann Franz
Memorial plaque in the Theresian Military Academy

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Veltzé Alois kuk Hauptmann, Austria Thermopylae in 1809 , Vienna and Leipzig 1909, CW Stern Verlag, 3rd Edition
  2. ↑ Article “Hermann von Hermannsdorf, Johann” by Oscar Criste in: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, published by the Historical Commission at the Bavarian Academy of Sciences, Volume 50 (1905), pp. 232-233
  3. ↑ Family owned by Dipl.-Ing. Andreas Neukirchen MA
  4. ↑ Family owned by Dipl.-Ing. Andreas Neukirchen MA
  5. ^ "The Bohemian Nobility" by Rudolf Johann Count Meraviglia-Crivelli, 1885, plate 99 (top row, 3rd coat of arms from the left)
  6. ↑ "The Bohemian Nobility" by Rudolf Johann Count Meraviglia-Crivelli, 1885, page 227
  7. ↑ Ingomar Pust : Small guide through the Western Julian Alps. Munich 1978, p. 111.
  8. ↑ MilAk, born 1987, Predil
personal data
SURNAME Hermannsdorf, Johann Hermann von
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Austrian officer
DATE OF BIRTH November 30, 1781
PLACE OF BIRTH Prague
DATE OF DEATH May 18, 1809
Place of death Predil pass