Armand von Nordmann

Who was Armand von Nordmann?

Joseph-Armand Ritter von Nordmann, born 31 August 1759 – died 6 July 1809, was a French officer in the French Royal Army. He transferred his allegiance to Habsburg Austria during the French Revolution, like other French émigrés. In Austrian service he fought capably against his former country during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars.

A colonel in the French army, he defected to the Coalition forces in 1793. After fighting in one of the émigré armies, he became an Austrian officer in 1798. After commanding a cavalry regiment for several years, he was elevated in rank to general officer. He led a division in 1805, even though by rank he was a brigadier. From the start of the 1809 war, he was entrusted with small independent scouting forces and rear guards. He was promoted again to lead a corps-sized force shortly before he was killed at the Battle of Wagram.