Hans Joachim Friedrich von Sydow

Lieutenant General Hans Joachim Friedrich von Sydow (13 May 1762 in Zernikow / Nordwestuckermark – 27 April 1823) was a Prussian cavalry officer who fought in the Napoleonic Wars.

[1][better source needed][2][3] Sydow was born on May 12, 1762, in Zernikow, a town that likely has changed names or doesn't exist anymore, between Neustrelitz and Oranienburg, Westprignitz, a Prussian District in Brandenburg.

Similar to the town, Westprignitz as well doesn't exist anymore, and was an amalgamation of the districts of Lenzen, Plattenburg, most of Perleberg, and a part of Havelberg.

He as well participated in the Siege of Landau and the Battle of Kaiserslautern, where he was wounded and awarded his Pour le Mérite.

On November 7th, 1806, Blücher surrendered an army of 10,000 soldiers to Napoleon at Ratekau, with Sydow being in the ranks that were given up.