War of the Austrian Succession Henning Alexander von Kleist (1676/77–1749) was an 18th-century Prussian field marshal.

[1] In total, the Kleist line produced more than 19 generals, and an assortment of poets, inventors, scientists, and philosophers.

He joined the Prussian military in the Alt-Anhalt Regiment in 1698 or 1699, and saw active service continuously from the War of Spanish Succession, which began in 1701, until the Peace of Utrecht in 1713: he served in campaigns in the Netherlands, France and the Italian states under the command of Leopold I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau, known as the Old Dessauer (der alte Dessauer).

He also helped to break the siege at Turin in 1706, as part of the relief column that attacked the French army.

[Note 3] During the War of Austrian Succession, in 1741 as a lieutenant general he commanded the city Kolberg.

As a participant in the Battle of Mollwitz, his infantry regiment not only held its line despite the flight of the Prussian cavalry, but subsequently attacked the Austrian line with such ferocity that he and his soldiers received special mention in Kurt Christoph Graf von Schwerin's report.

In addition, the Prussian infantry benefited not only from the discipline of drill but also the latest in military technology; unlike their Austrian counterparts, they had iron ramrods which allowed them to fire faster and more accurately.

[1] In 1745 Kleist was promoted to General of Infantry and two years later, in 1747, to field marshal, at the conclusion of a grand troop revue.