Kurt Christoph Graf von Schwerin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kurt Christoph Graf von Schwerin
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 26 October 1684 Löwitz, Swedish Pomerania |
| Died | 6 May 1757 (aged 72) Prague, Bohemia |
| Allegiance |
|
| Service/ |
Infantry |
| Years of service | c. 1700–1757 |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Gadebusch Battle of Mollwitz Battle of Prague |
Kurt Christoph, Graf von Schwerin (born October 26, 1684 – died May 6, 1757) was a very important military leader in Prussia. He was a Field Marshal, which is a top army rank. He was one of the main commanders working for King Frederick the Great.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Military Start
Kurt Christoph von Schwerin was born in Löwitz, a place that was part of Sweden back then. When he was young, he joined the Dutch army. He fought in important battles like Schellenberg and Blenheim.
In 1707, he became a lieutenant-colonel in the army of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. He was part of more big battles, including Ramillies and Malplaquet. He also fought alongside Swedish commander Stenbock at the Battle of Gadebusch.
Later, in 1713, he was with Charles XII of Sweden when the king was held captive in Bender. By 1718, Schwerin was promoted to major-general.
Rising Through the Ranks
In 1719, Schwerin bravely fought against the Hanoverian Army that had invaded Mecklenburg. He showed great skill in a fight at Walsmühlen. The next year, he started working for the King of Prussia.
At first, he worked on diplomatic missions, which means he helped with talks between countries. In 1722, he took command of an infantry regiment. In 1730, he was part of a special court that tried Crown Prince Frederick.
In 1733, he led a Prussian army to help solve a problem in Mecklenburg. He did this very skillfully. The next year, he became a lieutenant-general. By 1739, he was a general of infantry.
A Great Commander
When King Frederick William was alive, Schwerin also did a lot of administrative work. When Frederick the Great became king, he promoted Schwerin to the highest rank: General Field Marshal. He also made him a count.
Early in the First Silesian War, Schwerin proved he was the right choice. He showed amazing leadership at the Battle of Mollwitz in 1741. During this battle, he convinced the king to leave the battlefield because a defeat seemed likely. Schwerin then turned a difficult fight into a big victory. This win helped Prussia take control of Silesia.
After the war, he became the governor of important fortresses. These were Brieg and Neisse.
Final Battle and Legacy
In the Second Silesian War (1744–1745), Schwerin led an army from Glatz. This army met the king's army near Prague. Schwerin played a very important part in the siege and capture of Prague in 1744.
Later, when the king had to retreat from Bohemia, Schwerin again showed his bravery. However, he felt he was not treated fairly and went to live on his estate. He spent his time there helping the people who lived on his land.
He returned to the battlefield when the Third Silesian War started in 1756. He led the war efforts in the Silesian part of Bohemia. In 1757, he joined Frederick again at Prague, following the same path as in 1744.
On May 6, 1757, the Battle of Prague took place. Schwerin was leading a regiment on the left side of the army. He held their flag and shouted, "Let all brave Prussians follow me!" Right after this, he was hit and killed by a cannonball. Some say his last words were, "This way, boys!"
Commemorations
Frederick the Great honored Schwerin by building a statue of him in Berlin. There is also a monument on the battlefield of Prague where he died. Since 1889, a German army infantry regiment was named after him.
Images for kids
-
19th Century Engraving of von Schwerin
-
Statue of Field Marshall Kurt von Schwerin in the Zietenplatz in Berlin
See also
In Spanish: Kurt Christoph von Schwerin para niños
