Gerhard von Scharnhorst | |
---|---|
Birth name | Gerhard Johann David von Scharnhorst |
Born | Bordenau, Electorate of Hanover, Holy Roman Empire | 12 November 1755
Died | 28 June 1813 Prague, Kingdom of Bohemia, Austrian Empire | (aged 57)
Buried | |
Allegiance | Prussia |
Service/ | Prussian Army |
Years of service | 1778–1813 |
Rank | Generalleutnant |
Battles/wars | War of the Fourth Coalition
|
Awards | Pour le Mérite |
Gerhard Johann David von Scharnhorst (12 November 1755 – 28 June 1813) was a Hanoverian-born general in Prussian service from 1801. As the first Chief of the Prussian General Staff, he was noted for his military theories, his reforms of the Prussian army, and his leadership during the Napoleonic Wars. Scharnhorst limited the use of corporal punishments, established promotion for merit, abolished the enrollment of foreigners, began the organization of a reserve army, and organized and simplified the military administration.