Johann Friedrich von Balbi

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Johann Friedrich von Balbi (* around 1700 in Kleve ; † January 19, 1779 in Berlin ) was commander of the Prussian engineering corps and knight of the order Pour le Mérite .

Life

He comes from a noble Genoese family. His great-uncle was Francesco Maria Balbi , the Doge of Genoa.

He entered the Prussian military service in 1715. In 1734 he volunteered at the siege of Philippsburg and Kehl . In 1745 he becomes a major engineer . From 1746 to 1748 he was in the French army in the Netherlands . In 1749 he created a map of the Mark Brandenburg based on a sketch by Peter von Montargues (1660–1733) . In 1757 he became a colonel and was awarded the order Pour le Mérite. In total, he took part in nine battles and 23 sieges . He led the sieges of Breslau , Schweidnitz and Olomouc himself. After the failed siege of Olomouc in the early summer of 1758, he fell out of favor with King Friedrich II , who soon brought him back to Potsdam .

His righteousness and wit made him a popular companion of Frederick II. So only he and a page accompanied the king when he traveled incognito to Holland in June 1752.

Literary

At the request of the king, Balbi published a book in 1753 about a school maneuver near Spandau. But it was only intended for disinformation. After the Seven Years' War he wrote his life story. It has been read and approved by some close friends and the king. The manuscript was never published and disappeared after his death.

family

Johann Friedrich von Balbi was married to Susanne Luise von Seers, a daughter of Major General Philipp Loth von Seers , and had children.

literature

personal data
SURNAME Balbi, Johann Friedrich von
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Balby, Johann Friedrich von; Balbi, Jean Frederic de
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Commander of the Prussian engineering corps
DATE OF BIRTH around 1700
PLACE OF BIRTH Kleve
DATE OF DEATH January 19, 1779
Place of death Berlin