Major Freiherr Georg von Suden was an Austrian officer who commanded the Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 5 during the 1809 campaign of the Napoleonic Wars. The battalion, sometimes known as the “Suden Jägers,” was a unit of light infantry highly valued for their marksmanship and ability to operate independently.

Von Suden’s leadership during the War of the Fifth Coalition was critical, and his unit saw action in some of the most significant battles of the campaign.

The Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 5 fought in several key engagements. At the Battle of Eckmühl in April 1809, the battalion was part of an autonomous brigade on the far right wing of the Austrian army, where they engaged in skirmishes against French forces. Later, they participated in the Battle of Urfahr-Linz on May 17, occupying the hills near Linz as part of the Austrian defensive line.

Their most notable contribution, however, came during the monumental Battle of Wagram in July. Here, a portion of the 5th Jäger-Bataillon was deployed to reinforce the heavily-battered 2nd Jäger Battalion, providing crucial support in the face of intense fighting.

Von Suden’s military career extended well beyond the 1809 campaign. He entered the Austrian service in 1788 and participated in multiple campaigns against France until 1815. His bravery and sound judgment earned him several accolades, including the prestigious Knight’s Cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa in 1799 for his actions in the Swiss campaign.

Promoted to Major in 1805, he would continue to rise through the ranks, eventually achieving the rank of General-Major and Brigadier. Freiherr Georg von Suden was a seasoned and highly respected officer who played an important role in the Austrian army’s light infantry corps during the turbulent Napoleonic era.

Tomorrow the first of the Jaeger in “skirmish order”