The baron Franz de Trenck or Franz Freiherr von der Trenck (born on January 1st 1711 with Reggio, in Calabria, died with Brown the October 14th 1749) was an Austrian soldier.

Of a rich person family of Slavonia, it was of a size, a force and a bravery remarkable, but also of an extraordinary ferocity.

It took service in Russia (1738), then in Austria (1740), and organized with its expenses a regiment of pandour S which it offered to Marie-Therese;

It obtained some successes against the Bavarian ones and the French, and penetrated until in Alsace.

But having, to the Battle of Soor, delivered against Frederic II of Prussia (1745), neglected to fight in order to plunder the camp of the Prussians, he was condemned to a strong fine and put in prison.

He succeeds in escaping and flees with the United Provinces. Having been discovered and having been taken back with Vienna, it was poisoned in the citadel of Brünn (1749).

The baron de Trenck exerted on the enemy cities and the soldiers of his regiment of pandours of the acts of an amazing cruelty. He left memories which were published by his/her cousin Frédérik de Trenck.

Source

External bonds

• Biography (in German)

-----