Editing John William Friso (section)

===Apointment and first military actions===
In 1702 at the start of the War of the Spanish Succession, Friso intended to participate in his first military campaign with the [[Dutch States Army]] under the supervision of his governor, Van Heemstra, but was prevented by a fall from his horse. He eventually joined the war effort in 1703, serving under Field Marshal [[Henry de Nassau, Lord Overkirk|Hendrik van Nassau, Lord of Ouwerkerk]]. In 1704, after intense debate among the Dutch provinces, he was designated the position of General of Infantry. Although only nominally, as he was just 17 years old. Efforts to appoint him as a member of the Council of State in 1705 were blocked by Holland and Utrecht, and later, in 1707, by Zeeland and Overijssel.{{sfn|Blok|Molhuysen|1911}}{{Sfn|Wijn|1964|p=579}}

When Johan Willem Friso came of age in 1707, he formally assumed his titles in the northern provinces, though in Groningen this did not occur until 1708 and was subject to restrictions. He quickly earned distinction as a general. Although he had previously been present at several engagements without holding an official command—such as the [[Siege of Ostend (1706)|siege of Ostend]] and the [[Siege of Menin (1706)|siege of Menin]]—his first significant action as an active participant was at the [[Battle of Oudenaarde]]. At Oudenaarde he led the flank attack of 10,000 Dutch infantrymen that would decide the battle in favour of the Allies, for which he would receive much praise in and outside the Republic.{{sfn|Blok|Molhuysen|1911}} 

[[File:De kamerdienaar van de Prins van Oranje wordt dodelijk geraakt tijdens het Beleg van Rijsel in 1708.jpg|right|180px|thumb|The death of Du Cerceau during the [[Siege of Lille (1708)|Siege of Lille]].]]

Following that battle he joined Eugene of Savoy in his [[Siege of Lille (1708)|Siege of Lille]] and was in overal command of the Anglo-Dutch troops at the siege. He positioned his headquarters in the village of Lamberfart, dangerously close to the city’s cannons. On August 18, a cannonball struck his quarters while he was getting dressed. The shot narrowly missed him, passing just inches from his face, but killed his [[Chamberlain (office)|chamberlain]], Du Cerceau, who was standing nearby. Blood and brain matter splattered across the room, but the prince remained remarkably composed, showing more concern for the loss of his loyal servant than for his own close brush with death. Following this incident, senior officials urged him to relocate his headquarters, and he eventually moved to the safer Castle of Holbeek. Lille fell after several bloody months and the campaign was concluded with the [[Siege of Ghent (1708)|Siege of Gent]] and capture of Brugge in which Friso also played his part.{{sfn|Blok|Molhuysen|1911}}{{Sfn|Wijn|1964|p=579}}

In June of 1709, as the allies [[Siege of Tournai (1709)|marched on Tournai]] Friso was tasked with capturing [[Mortagne-du-Nord|Mortange]] and [[Saint-Amand-les-Eaux|Saint-Amand]], to safeguard the siege operations against French attacks from the side of [[Valenciennes]]. The primary objective was Fort l'Escarpe, which controlled the crossing of the Scheldt. Friso was fortunate when, after about a dozen shots from his accompanying field guns, the drawbridge unexpectedly fell without being destroyed. Taking advantage of this, his troops swiftly stormed the fort, met little resistance, and captured the garrison.{{Sfn|Wijn|1959|p=481}}