The Swiss Philhellene Amadeus Emmanuel Hahn (SHP collection)
Amadeus Emmanuel Hahn (1801-1867), was a Swiss officer and one of the most distinguished Philhellenes, both during the Greek Revolution of 1821 and later during the first years of the existence of the new Greek state.
He served as an officer in the Swiss Army, from 1818 to 1823[1]. At the same time, he was one of the first to join the Philhellenic Committee of Bern[2]. A little later, this Committee instructed him in 1825 to go to Greece[3]. When he arrived, he enlisted in the Corps of Philhellenes and undertook soon action. Among other things, he undertook to inspire and support many young Philhellenes who were suffering, and distinguished himself for saving the lives of many of his comrades, who had even attempted suicide. One of the reasons was the malaria epidemic that had broken out in Corinth and which, due to the lack of medical means, was impossible to deal with[4].
Amadeus Emmanuel Hahn, took part in the 2nd battle of Tripolitsa and in the battle of Oropos in 1825[5]. A little later, he took part in the siege of the Acropolis in 1826. He was part of the Corps of 500 Greeks and Philhellenes who broke the lines of the Turkish besiegers, and entered the Acropolis under the French Philhellene General Charles Fabvier, bringing food and ammunition to the besieged Greeks.
He remained in the Acropolis for 6 months, period during which he experienced the complete impoverishment of the besieged Greeks, due to the lack of food and ammunition[6]. Then, he fought in the battle of Analatos on April 24, 1827 (from where he fled ill to Poros after the defeat of the Greeks, in order to recover[7]), and later in the battles of Oropos and Thebes, while finally, he took part in the campaign of Chios under the orders of the Philhellene General Charles Fabvier, in 1828[8].
At the same time he wrote the book “Brief des Philhellenen Em. Hahn aus Griechenland”, through which he informed the public opinion of his country about the situation prevailing in Greece[9].
After the foundation of the new Greek state in 1830, Hahn continued to offer his services in Greece. In fact, at the same time he reconnected with his old friend and later landowner in Evia, Edward Noel, nephew of Lord Byron[10].
In 1833 he served as a commander of the garrison in Patras[11].
In 1837 he was promoted to Captain of the Infantry[12] and was appointed commander of the 4th Battalion of the Greek Army[13].
In 1843 he served as a military commander of Pylos (then Navarino), while in 1844 the state promoted him to the grade of Colonel, to honour him for the services he had offered to the Struggle[14].
In 1845, for health reasons, he took sick leave and visited for a while his homeland, Switzerland[15].
At October 27th, 1845, he married in Athens the Prussian Baroness Maria Des Granges (1826-1849), who died in July of 1849, because of complexions in her pregnancy[16]. Her tomb is located in the 1st Cemetery of Athens.
In 1854, he chaired the committee of the Ministry of the Army, which was responsible for drafting the army’s regulations, while in 1855, he was promoted to the aid de camp of the Greek king Othon[17].
In 1857 he was promoted to major general, while in 1860 he was appointed Inspector of the Infantry[18].
Due to health problems, Amadeus Emmanuel Hahn, resigned from the Greek Army in 1865, holding the rank of lieutenant general. He returned to Bern, where he died on June 22, 1867[19].
SHP honours the memory of Amadeus Emmanuel Hahn, an important Philhellene, who fought for the Independence of Greece and the organization of the new Greek state, which he served with important positions of responsibility.
References
[1] ‘’Μεγάλη Στρατιωτική και Ναυτική Εγκυκλοπαίδεια’’, εκδ. Μεγάλης Στρατιωτικής και Ναυτικής Εγκυκλοπαίδειας, Αθήνα, 1930, 6ος τόμος, σελ.565.
[2] Hahn, Amadeus Emmanuel, ‘’Memoiren über seine Beteiligung am griechischen Freiheitskampf’’, εκδ. Berner Taschenbuch, Βέρνη, 1870.
[3] ‘’Μεγάλη Στρατιωτική και Ναυτική Εγκυκλοπαίδεια’’, εκδ. Μεγάλης Στρατιωτικής και Ναυτικής Εγκυκλοπαίδειας, Αθήνα, 1930, 6ος τόμος, σελ.565.
[4] St Clair, William, “That Greece Might Still Be Free. The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ. 161.
[5] ”Μεγάλη Στρατιωτική και Ναυτική Εγκυκλοπαίδεια”, εκδ. Μεγάλης Στρατιωτικής και Ναυτικής Εγκυκλοπαίδειας, Αθήνα, 1930, 6ος τόμος, σελ.565.
[6] Reber, Karl, “Emanuel Amenaeus Hahn- ein verkannter Schweizer Philhellene“, εκδ. περ. Hellas Freunde, Βέρνη, Ιανουάριος 2009, σελ.12.
[7] Hahn, Amadeus Emmanuel, ”Memoiren über seine Beteiligung am griechischen Freiheitskampf“, εκδ. Berner Taschenbuch, Βέρνη, 1870.
[8] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[9] St Clair, William, “That Greece Might Still Be Free. The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ. 362.
[10] Reber, Karl, ‘’Emanuel Amenaeus Hahn- ein verkannter Schweizer Philhellene’’, εκδ. περ. Hellas Freunde, Βέρνη, Ιανουάριος 2009, σελ.12
[11] Reber, Karl, ‘’Emanuel Amenaeus Hahn- ein verkannter Schweizer Philhellene’’, εκδ. περ. Hellas Freunde, Βέρνη, Ιανουάριος 2009, σελ.13
[12] ‘’ Εφημερίς της Κυβερνήσεως του Βασιλείου της Ελλάδος’’, Αθήνα, 30 Μαΐου 1837, Φ.Ε.Κ. υπ’ αριθμ. 20, σελ.88.
[13] Reber, Karl, ‘’Emanuel Amenaeus Hahn- ein verkannter Schweizer Philhellene’’, εκδ. περ. Hellas Freunde, Βέρνη, Ιανουάριος 2009, σελ.13
[14] Βλ. στο ίδιο
[15] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[16] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[17] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[18]”Μεγάλη Στρατιωτική και Ναυτική Εγκυκλοπαίδεια”, εκδ. Μεγάλης Στρατιωτικής και Ναυτικής Εγκυκλοπαίδειας, Αθήνα, 1930, 6ος τόμος, σελ.565.
[19] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
Bibliography – Sources
- ”Μεγάλη Στρατιωτική και Ναυτική Εγκυκλοπαίδεια”, εκδ. Μεγάλης Στρατιωτικής και Ναυτικής Εγκυκλοπαίδειας, Αθήνα, 1930, 6ος τόμος.
- Hahn, Amadeus Emmanuel, “Memoiren über seine Beteiligung am griechischen Freiheitskampf“, εκδ. Berner Taschenbuch, Βέρνη, 1870.
- St Clair, William, “That Greece Might Still Be Free. The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008.
- “Εφημερίς της Κυβερνήσεως του Βασιλείου της Ελλάδος”, Αθήνα, 30 Μαΐου 1837, Φ.Ε.Κ. υπ’ αριθμ. 20.
- Reber, Karl, “Emanuel Amenaeus Hahn- ein verkannter Schweizer Philhellene“, εκδ. περ. Ηellas Freunde, Βέρνη, Ιανουάριος 2009.
