Friedrich von Spörcken

He served as part of the Army of Observation between 1757 and 1762, leading the Hanoverian contingent at a number of major battles including Krefeld and Minden.

Instead, when the Convention was revoked in late 1757, Ferdinand of Brunswick was given command of the force which launched a successful counter-attack driving the French back across the River Rhine.

In 1759, following the defeat at the 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, Brunswick During the battle on 1 August 1759, Spörcken's division of mixed British and German infantry advanced without support, leaving them isolated.

Spörcken was promoted to Field Marshal in 1764 and placed in command of the regular Hanoverian forces, which were now substantially reduced, as well as the newly formed militia.