Wenzel Joseph von Colloredo-Mels und Waldsee

Wenzel Joseph von Colloredo-Mels und Wallsee (15 October 1738 – 4 September 1822) served in the army of Habsburg Austria from the middle to the end of the 18th century. For the subsequent two decades, he continued to serve the Austrian military in non-combat roles. During the Seven Years' War, he fought at Prague, Maxen, Torgau, and other actions. He held field commands in the Austro-Turkish War. During the War of the First Coalition he led troops at Neerwinden, Raismes, Famars, Caesar's Camp, and Maubeuge. In 1784, he became Proprietor (Inhaber) of an Austrian infantry regiment and held the position until his death. He was promoted Field Marshal in 1808. Family Born on 15 October 1738, Wenzel Joseph von Colloredo was the fifth child and fourth son of Rudolph Joseph von Colloredo-Wallsee (1706–1788), a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, and Marie Gabriele von Starhemberg (1707–1793). His brothers were Franz de Paula Gundackar von Colloredo (1731–1807), Hieronymus von Colloredo (1732–1812), and Joseph Maria von Colloredo (1735–1818). His sisters were Maria Antonie (1728–1757), Marie Gabriele (1741–1801), Marie Therese (1744–1828), Marie Franziska (1746–1795), Marie Caroline (1752–1832). Wenzel Joseph had nine other siblings who died young. Hieronymus became Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg in 1772. Joseph Maria was promoted Field Marshal in 1789. Wenzel Joseph never married. Seven Years and Austro-Turkish Wars Colloredo joined the Austrian Carl Colloredo Infantry Regiment Nr. 40 before the Seven Years' War as an ensign and distinguished himself at the Battle of Prague in 1757. He also fought at the Battle of Maxen in 1759 and at the Battle of Torgau in 1760 where the regiment withstood the first Prussian assault. For this exploit, Colloredo was promoted major. After fighting in several more actions, he was appointed Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel) of the Waldeck Infantry Regiment Nr. 35 on 1 April 1762. He replaced his brother Joseph as Oberst (colonel) of the Lacy Infantry Regiment Nr. 22 on 8 February 1764 and remained the regiment's commander until 1770 when Anton Mittrowsky assumed leadership. Colloredo became a knight of the Teutonic Order in 1764. He earned promotion to Generalmajor on 1 May 1773 and to Feldmarschall-Leutnant on 10 April 1783. Colloredo was appointed inhaber (proprietor) of Infantry Regiment Nr. 56 in 1784. He succeeded the previous inhaber, Jacob Nugent who held the position since 1767.