Friedrich von Spörcken
Encyclopedia
Friedrich von Spörcken was a Hanoverian
soldier
best known for his service in the Seven Years War. He served as part of the Army of Observation between 1757-1762 leading the Hanoverian contingent at a number of major battles including Krefeld
and Minden
.
. He later went on to serve as part of the Pragmatic Army during the War of the Austrian Succession
.
the Army retreated and was eventually forced to conclude the Convention of Klosterzeven
taking Hanover out of the war. This soon came under fierce attack in Britain and Prussia, with Frederick II of Prussia
suggesting that the army should be reformed under the control of Spörcken.
Instead, when the Convention was revoked in late 1757, Ferdinand of Brunswick was given command of the force which launched a successful counter-attack driving the French back across the River Rhine. For the next five years Spörcken was part of the army that successfully checked several French attempts against Hanover.
, Brunswick's forces retreated northwards as the French under Contades pushed home a plan to invade Hanover. Deciding to halt them near the town of Minden
, Brunswick
During the battle on 1 August 1759 Spörcken's division of mixed British and German infantry advanced without support, leaving them isolated. They were faced with repeated French infantry and cavalry attacks but managed to repulse them until further reinforcements came to their rescue. The Allied army was ultimately able to defeat the French and force them to retreat.
in 1764 and placed in command of the regular Hanoverian forces, which were now substantially reduced, as well as the newly-formed militia
. He died in 1776.
Electorate of Hanover
The Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg was the ninth Electorate of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation...
soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
best known for his service in the Seven Years War. He served as part of the Army of Observation between 1757-1762 leading the Hanoverian contingent at a number of major battles including Krefeld
Battle of Krefeld
The Battle of Krefeld was a battle fought on 23 June 1758 between a Prussian-Hanoverian army and a French army during the Seven Years' War.-Background:...
and Minden
Battle of Minden
The Battle of Minden—or Thonhausen—was fought on 1 August 1759, during the Seven Years' War. An army fielded by the Anglo-German alliance commanded by Field Marshal Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, defeated a French army commanded by Marshal of France Louis, Marquis de Contades...
.
Early life
Spörcken was born on 28 August 1698. In 1715 he joined the Hanoverian army, he served as part of a volunteer force during the War of the Polish SuccessionWar of the Polish Succession
The War of the Polish Succession was a major European war for princes' possessions sparked by a Polish civil war over the succession to Augustus II, King of Poland that other European powers widened in pursuit of their own national interests...
. He later went on to serve as part of the Pragmatic Army during the War of the Austrian Succession
War of the Austrian Succession
The War of the Austrian Succession – including King George's War in North America, the Anglo-Spanish War of Jenkins' Ear, and two of the three Silesian wars – involved most of the powers of Europe over the question of Maria Theresa's succession to the realms of the House of Habsburg.The...
.
Seven Years War
When the Seven Years War broke out Spörcken was part of the Army of Observation established to defend Hanover and its neighbours from the French. Following the Battle of HastenbeckBattle of Hastenbeck
The Battle of Hastenbeck was fought as part of the Invasion of Hanover during the Seven Year's War between the allied forces of Hanover, Hesse-Kassel and Brunswick and the French...
the Army retreated and was eventually forced to conclude the Convention of Klosterzeven
Convention of Klosterzeven
The Convention of Klosterzeven was a 1757 convention signed at Klosterzeven between France and the Electorate of Hanover during the Seven Years' War that led to Hanover's withdrawal from the war and partial occupation by French forces. It came in the wake of the Battle of Hastenbeck in which...
taking Hanover out of the war. This soon came under fierce attack in Britain and Prussia, with Frederick II of Prussia
Frederick II of Prussia
Frederick II was a King in Prussia and a King of Prussia from the Hohenzollern dynasty. In his role as a prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire, he was also Elector of Brandenburg. He was in personal union the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel...
suggesting that the army should be reformed under the control of Spörcken.
Instead, when the Convention was revoked in late 1757, Ferdinand of Brunswick was given command of the force which launched a successful counter-attack driving the French back across the River Rhine. For the next five years Spörcken was part of the army that successfully checked several French attempts against Hanover.
Battle of Minden
In 1759 following the defeat at the Battle of BergenBattle of Bergen
There has been more than one Battle of Bergen. You may be looking for:* Battle of Bergen * Battle of Bergen * Battle of Bergen...
, Brunswick's forces retreated northwards as the French under Contades pushed home a plan to invade Hanover. Deciding to halt them near the town of Minden
Minden
Minden is a town of about 83,000 inhabitants in the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The town extends along both sides of the river Weser. It is the capital of the Kreis of Minden-Lübbecke, which is part of the region of Detmold. Minden is the historic political centre of the...
, Brunswick
During the battle on 1 August 1759 Spörcken's division of mixed British and German infantry advanced without support, leaving them isolated. They were faced with repeated French infantry and cavalry attacks but managed to repulse them until further reinforcements came to their rescue. The Allied army was ultimately able to defeat the French and force them to retreat.
Later career
Spörcken was promoted to Field MarshalField Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
in 1764 and placed in command of the regular Hanoverian forces, which were now substantially reduced, as well as the newly-formed militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
. He died in 1776.