[1] His extensive career made him eligible for the supreme command of the Dutch States Army in 1703, but his military career came to an abrupt end after he fled his army during the Battle of Ekeren and the position was given to Hendrik van Nassau-Ouwerkerk instead.

He was born in Heusden, the son of the famous Dutch Admiral Jacob van Wassenaer Obdam.

Considering all hope for a breakthrough lost, Obdam abandoned his army and escaped with 30 men, disguising themselves as Frenchmen.

When he arrived in the Netherlands, he wrote a letter admitting the total destruction of his army.

But the army, now under General Slangenburg, had forced an escape route late in the evening and saved itself.