Born Kersmarch (Hungary), 1735, died 1804. Distinguished himself during the Seven Years War (1756-63) Extinguished the revolt of the Walachians in Transylvania, 1788 Made general in the war against the Turks, 1790 Temporary head of the Austrian army in Italy when Melas was ill, 1799 Victory over Schérer at Magnano, 5 April 1800 Retook the citadel of Mantua, 1800 Replaced Archduke Charles as head of the Austrian army in Germany but beaten by the French he was forced to resign his command
According to Jomini, Kray was ‘vigorous, intrepid [with] a great ability to sum up a particular situation and remarkable sang-froid. Incontestably, he was the best Austrian general after Archduke Charles'.
Further reading
Biographisches Lexicon des Kaiserthums Oesterreich, Vienna, 1856 (57 volumes) Longworth, P., The Art of Victory: The life and achievements of Generalissimo Suvorov, London: Constable, 1965 Tranié, J., J. C. Carmigniani, Napoléon Bonaparte: 2eme campagne d'Italie, Paris: Pygmalion/Gérard Watelet, 1991
