Joseph Nikolaus De Vins
| Joseph Nikolaus de Vins | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 1732 Mantua, Lombardy, Habsburg Austria |
| Died |
26 September 1798 (aged 66) Vienna, Habsburg Austria |
| Allegiance |
 Habsburg Monarchy
|
| Service/branch | Infantry |
| Rank | Feldzeugmeister |
| Battles/wars |
Seven Years' War Austro-Turkish War (1787-1791) French Revolutionary Wars |
| Awards | Military Order of Maria Theresa, KC 1758, GC 1790 |
| Other work |
Inhaber Infantry Regiment Nr. 37 Privy Councillor |
Joseph Nikolaus Freiherr de Vins or Joseph de Wins (1732 – 26 September 1798), joined the army of Habsburg Austria and fought in the Seven Years' War where he was decorated for bravery. By 1773 he earned promotion to general officer. From 1783 he held important posts on the Military Frontier and led an independent corps in Croatia during the Austro-Turkish War. In the French Revolutionary Wars he commanded the joint forces of Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont from 1792 until 1795. Though the French were held at bay during his tenure, his slowness and poor health prevented Piedmont's lost territories from being recovered. Throughout the period much tension existed between the two allies. Ironically, the day after De Vins resigned, the French attacked and badly defeated his replacement. He was Proprietor (Inhaber) of an Austrian infantry regiment from 1784 until his death.
Born at Mantua in Italy in 1732, De Vins was the son of an Austrian general killed in the Battle of Piacenza in 1746. He went into the army of the Habsburg Monarchy and fought in the Seven Years' War. Wartime promotion was rapid. On 8 September 1757 De Vins became Major, on 16 July 1760 he was named Oberstleutnant, and on 13 October 1761 he was elevated to Oberst (colonel). He won the Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa on 4 December 1758. His promotion to General-major came through on 1 May 1773. Another elevation in rank to Feldmarschallleutnant occurred on 3 April 1783. In that month he was appointed to command the Banal-Warasdin Military Frontier. He became Proprietor of the De Vins Infantry Regiment Nr. 37 on 7 February 1784 and held the office during his lifetime.
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