Dessau, Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Dessau (1676-1747). ‘The Old Dessauer’ laid the foundations for Prussia's military greatness and his life spanned both the old and new ways of war. His career started in the League of Augsburg war, where he served at the 1695 siege of Namur. He commanded the Prussian field army in the War of the Spanish Succession, which distinguished itself at Blenheim, Turin, and Malplaquet in particular. After fighting in the Great Northern war against Sweden, Dessau set about reforming and modernizing the Prussian infantry, concentrating on musketry. He won one last victory before his death at Kesselsdorf in 1745.
— Toby McLeod
