The Austrian Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 7 in skirmish order

The Austrian Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 7 was a part of the light infantry arm of the Austrian army during the Napoleonic Wars. Jäger, which means “hunter” in German, were skilled light infantrymen, often recruited from foresters and hunters in provinces like Bohemia, Moravia, and Tyrol. They were trained for skirmishing, sharpshooting, and operating in difficult terrain, providing a valuable contrast to the slow-moving line infantry.

In the pivotal year of 1809, the 7th Jäger Battalion participated in the War of the Fifth Coalition, a conflict in which the Austrian Empire attempted to challenge Napoleon’s dominance in Central Europe. The battalion’s service was particularly noteworthy in the major campaigns of that year.

Oberst (Colonel) Josef Steffanini Count di Monte Airone was a senior and highly decorated Austrian officer with a long and distinguished career. He was the commander of the 7th Jäger Battalion in early 1809. His career extended well beyond this command, as he held numerous important positions throughout the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

Steffanini was a highly respected officer, earning the Knight’s Cross of the Military Maria Theresian Order in 1799. After his command of the 7th Jäger Battalion, he went on to command an army corps and other significant formations. He was a general officer who distinguished himself in various campaigns, including the 1813-1814 War of the Sixth Coalition, where he commanded a wing of the Army of Italy. His career concluded with high-ranking administrative and honorary roles, including being a Commanding General and Captain of the Trabanten Life Guard.

While Steffanini was the Oberst of the battalion, a Major Freiherr von Steinmetz also appears in records as a commander in 1809. This suggests he may have been the battalion commander (as opposed to the regimental commander, which would be the Oberst) or a temporary replacement. It’s important to distinguish him from the much more famous Prussian Field Marshal Karl Friedrich von Steinmetz, who was a much younger officer at this time and served in the Prussian army.

The 7th Jäger Battalion’s primary engagement in 1809 would have been the major battles of the War of the Fifth Coalition. The battalion was part of the Austrian army that invaded Napoleon’s client state of Bavaria in April 1809.

Battle of Aspern-Essling (May 21-22, 1809): The battalion was part of the forces under Archduke Charles that dealt Napoleon his first significant defeat in a major battle. Jäger units played a crucial role in the skirmishing and fighting in the villages and broken ground around the battlefield.

Battle of Wagram (July 5-6, 1809): This was the largest battle in European history up to that time and a decisive French victory. The 7th Jäger Battalion, under the command of Generalmajor Carl von Schmuttermayer, was part of the 3rd Corps, commanded by General Kolowrat-Krakowsky. Jäger units were often used as part of the vanguard or in light brigades to screen the main force. Their role at Wagram was to engage in skirmishing on the flanks and in the lead-up to the main assault.

This just leaves the 1809 Austrian Jäger-Bataillon Nr.8&9 to finish off.