Joseph Count Lucchesi d’ Averna

Joseph, Count Lucchesi d’ Averna, died 5 December 1757, Leuthen, Silesia. Lucchesi was a lieutenant field marshal in the Habsburg Army during the Seven Years' War. At the Battle of Leuthen, he rallied his cavalry against the onslaught of the Prussian oblique maneuver. He was killed while leading an attack against the 26th infantry, trying to take the Butterberg artillery of the Prussians, decapitated by a cannon shot. Luccesi had been promoted 25 March 1741 to Generalfeldwachtmeister (master general of field guards). This is an obsolete rank, above colonel. It was superseded by the rank of major general. Additional promotions occurred on 5 July 1745 lieutenant field marshal; to general of the cavalry on 12 June 1754 with rank retroactive to 3 December 1748.