Heinrich Sigismund von der Heyde
| Heinrich Sigismund von der Heyde | |
|---|---|
Commemorative coin struck to mark the Prussian success at Kolberg.
|
|
| Born |
1 January 1703 |
| Died | 4 May 1765 (aged 62) Kolberg |
| Buried | Marienkirche of Kolberg |
| Allegiance |
 Prussia
|
| Service/branch | Army |
| Years of service | 1718–1765 |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Pour le Mérite Equestrian statue of Frederick the Great |
1 January 1703
Schacksdorf
Heinrich Sigismund von der Heyde was a Prussian officer and commander-in-chief of Kolberg (born 1703 in the Niederlausitz region of Brandenburg – 4 May 1765 in Kolberg). His name is spelled variously "von der Heyden" and "von Heyden". He is best known for his tenacious defense of Kolberg during its three sieges during the Seven Years' War. He received the Order Pour le Merite and he is immortalized on the Equestrian statue of Frederick the Great.
Heyde was born in 1703 Schacksdorf in the Niederlausitz region of Brandenburg. He was the son of Heinrich Siegmund von der Heyde, heir to Schacksdorf, and Magdalene Sophie von Stutterheim from Sellendorf.
Heyde entered the infantry regiment No. 3 (Alt-Anhalt) in 1718. In 1726 he became Ensign, 1731 Second Lieutenant, 1736 Premier Lieutenant and 1740 Chief of Staff. In 1741 he received his first Grenadier company with which he also fought in the First Silesian War. In 1744 and 1745 he found himself in Bohemia and Moravia. He was injured in the Battle of Hohenfriedberg. There must then have been inconsistencies between him and General Leopold von Anhalt-Dessau. Thus, in 1747, he moved to the garrison regiment No. 2 (Röder). On 5 June 1753, he became a major, and subsequently "chef" (chief) and commander of a Grenadier Battalion #4, which belonged to the Grenadier Regiment in Königsberg. On 13 December 1755 he became commander of the fortress Friedrichsburg near Königsberg. In 1757 he fought against the invading Russian troops, but after the Battle of Gross-Jägersdorf and a new Russian advance in 1758, he withdrew to the fortress of Kolberg with his troops.
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