Prince Karl (Karl Borromäus) Michael Joseph of Liechtenstein (29 September 1730 – 21 February 1789) was an Austrian field marshal and courtier, a member of the House of Liechtenstein.
He was the 805th Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in Austria in 1772.
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Life
Born in Vienna, the second son of Emanuel, Prince of Liechtenstein (1700–1771) and Maria Anna Antonia, Countess of Dietrichstein-Weichselstädt, Baroness of Hollenburg and Finkenstein, he was the younger brother of Franz Joseph I, Prince of Liechtenstein.
In his youth, Liechtenstein was commissioned into an Austrian cavalry regiment. In 1747 he served in a campaign in the Netherlands, part of the War of the Austrian Succession, and was promoted quickly, especially during the Seven Years' War, becoming a colonel in 1757, during which year he was seriously wounded near Reichenberg. He distinguished himself in the conquest of Schweidnitz and was among the first to enter the city. As a reward he was sent to Maria Theresa in Vienna with the news of the victory and was awarded the Order of the Golden Fleece. He became owner of the 1st Dragoon Regiment and commander of the garrison of Vienna.
In 1758, Liechtenstein was promoted to general and in 1760 to lieutenant field marshal. In 1765 he was Inspector General of the Cavalry, in 1771 was commanding general in Pressburg, and in 1775 held general command in Lower Austria.
During the War of the Bavarian Succession of 1778–1779 he was a cavalry general. At the beginning of the war, he commanded 28,000 men, who initially stood near Leitmeritz, blocking access to Bavaria. As the Austrian situation became more problematic, he carried out a series of successful manoevres.