High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Hans Hermann von Katte (February 28, 1704 November 6, 1730) was a Lieutenant of the Prussian Army and a close friend of the future Frederick II of Prussia, then the Crown Prince. He was executed by Frederick's father King Frederick William I of Prussia when he and Frederick plotted to escape from the Kingdom of Prussia to the Kingdom of Great Britain. Some believe that the two were fleeing to Great Britain where they would defect to the service of George II of Great Britain (Frederick's maternal uncle) and possibly return to Prussia to depose Frederick William.