Montecuccoli, Raimondo, 1608-1681

Raimondo Montecuccoli was one of the outstanding strategists of the 17th century. Born in Modena, Italy, he began his military career in Germany, in a regiment of Imperial dragoons. His successes in various engagements in the Thirty Years' War brought his rapid advancement to the rank of field marshall. In 1657, the Emperor sent him to Poland to help reinstate King John Casimir, and in the following year he joined the Elector of Brandenburg to help the King of Denmark. His most famous campaign, however, was waged against the Turks in Transylvania (1661-1664). From 1672 to 1675 he commanded the Imperial Forces against the French under Turenne. Turenne's death gave Montecuccoli the ultimate victory, but he retired immediately due to ill health. He passed the remainder of his life in Vienna, devoting himself to his studies and to composing his memoirs published in 1708.