Johann Ernst von Schmettow

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Johann Ernst von Schmettow (* 1703 ; † 1774 ) was a Prussian officer , most recently major general and knight of the order Pour le Mérite .

Life

origin

Johann Ernst came from the old and aristocratic Silesian family von Schmettau , who had provided numerous generals of the Prussian army in Prussia since the 17th century, but especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, and were also important representatives in the social and political life of the 19th century brought forth.

Military career

As usual in the Prussian aristocratic families, Schmettow also chose the soldier profession . He joined the Leibkarabiniers Regiment, but only made it up to Rittmeister in 1740 , as the advancement in the army was very slow due to the lack of armed conflicts between Prussia and its neighbors under King Friedrich Wilhelm I. After all, the king had awarded him the Order De la Générosité , founded in 1667, on June 18, 1736. After taking office in 1740, Frederick II founded the order Pour le Mérite. After this event, the king converted the previously awarded Order De la Générosité, whose bearers were still alive and still in active service, into the newly created Order Pour le Mérite. Schmettow also received this medal. In a list attached to the highest cabinet order of June 11, 1742, all bearers of the Pour le Mérite are listed, including Johann Ernst von Schmettow, ..., so that SKM has been gifted with the plm '....

From now on, his advancement in the military hierarchy went faster because of the improved chances of promotion under Frederick II. He advanced to the rank of major general and died in 1774.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Genealogical Handbook of Nobility , Adelslexikon Volume XII, CA Starke-Verlag, Limburg, 2001, page 516 ff.
  2. ^ Gustav Lehmann: The Knights of the Order pour le merite , Volume 1, awards under King Friedrich II. , Mittler, Berlin, 1913, p. 21.
  3. ^ A b Gustav Lehmann: The Knights of the Order pour le merite , Volume 1, Awards under King Friedrich II., Mittler, Berlin, 1913, p. 15.
personal data
SURNAME Schmettow, Johann Ernst von
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Prussian officer, most recently major general
DATE OF BIRTH 1703
DATE OF DEATH 1774