Friedrich Wilhelm von Seydlitz

Friedrich Wilhelm Freiherr von Seydlitz was a Prussian officer, lieutenant general, and among the greatest of the Prussian cavalry generals. He commanded one of the first Hussar squadrons of Frederick the Great's army and is credited with the development of the Prussian cavalry to its efficient level of performance in the Seven Years' War. His cavalryman father retired and then died while Seydlitz was still young. Subsequently, he was mentored by Margrave Frederick William of Brandenburg-Schwedt. Seydlitz's superb horsemanship and his recklessness combined to make him a stand-out subaltern, and he emerged as a redoubtable Rittmeister in the War of Austrian Succession (1740–1748) during the First and Second Silesian wars.

3 February 1721

Born on the same birth day (3 February): André Cayatte • Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton • Henning Mankell • Jehan Alain • Joachim Löw • Juan Carlos Calabró • Mathieu Dandenault • Norman Rockwell • Risto Ryti • Russell Arms • Russo brothers • Sean Kingston • Simone Weil

Born in the same month (February 1721): John McKinly • John Reid (British Army officer)