František Zach
František Zach (Czech pronunciation: [ˈfrancɪʃɛk ˈzax]; Serbian: Франтишек Зах/František Zah; 1 May 1807 – 14 January 1892), known as Franjo Zah (Фрањо Зах), was a Czech-born soldier and military theorist, best known for his service to the Principality of Serbia, being the first acting General and Chief of the Serbian General Staff from 1876 to 1877.
General František Aleksandr Zach | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Франтишек Александр Зах |
| Nickname(s) | Franja |
| Born | 1 May 1807 Olomouc, Austrian Empire (now Czech Republic) |
| Died | 14 January 1892 (aged 84) Brno, Moravia, Austria-Hungary (now Czech Republic) |
| Allegiance | Principality of Serbia |
| Service/ | Serbian Army |
| Years of service | 1850–1883 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Ibar Army |
| Battles/wars | Serbo-Turkish War |
| Awards | Order of the White Eagle Order of the Cross of Takovo |
Zach was known for being a flamboyant freedom fighter and Pan-Slavist, fighting in both the November Uprising in Poland of 1830, as well as in Serbia during the latter half of the 19th century. He played a vital role in the formation of the Načertanije in 1844, which later served as a guideline for the unification of Serbs divided by Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian rule. He was also the first Dean of the Academic Board of the Military Academy in Serbia and its chief from 1850–1859; 1860–1865; and 1868–1874.