Lieutenant General Hans Joachim Friedrich von Sydow (13 May 1762 in Zernikow / Nordwestuckermark – 27 April 1823) was a Prussian cavalry officer who fought in the Napoleonic Wars. He was honoured with a knighthood and the Blue Max ( Pour le Mérite ). He fought with distinction at Waterloo. [1] [ better source needed ] [2] [3]
Sydow was born on May 12, 1762, in Zernikow, a town that likely has changed names or doesn't exist anymore, between Neustrelitz and Oranienburg, Westprignitz, a Prussian District in Brandenburg. Similar to the town, Westprignitz as well doesn't exist anymore, and was an amalgamation of the districts of Lenzen, Plattenburg, most of Perleberg, and a part of Havelberg.
Sydow's father was Georg Friedrich von Sydow, a retired of officer, and lord of Zernikow. Sydow's mother was Beate Louise von Sydow née Holtzendorf.
It likely could have been from his father's wishes and/or inspiration that Sydow would join the cavalry. In 1775 he entered the army as a private in the 8th Hussar Regiment (von Belling). and was commissioned as an officer on March 31, 1778. He fought in the War of Bavarian Succession from 1778 to 1779 and at the battles of Zwickau and Gabel. He ranked up twice more between 1783 and 1792.
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William Dietrich von Wakenitz, also Wackenitz or Wacknitz, 2 August 1728 on the family estate at Neu Boltenhagen–9 January 1805 in Kassel). He served in the Prussian army during the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War as a cavalry officer; subsequently, he served the Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel as general and finance minister.
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