Helmuth Karl Bernhard Graf von Moltke, der Ältere
(26.10.1800 - 24.04.1891)
place of birth:  Parchim, Großherzogtum Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Königreich Preußen:  Generalstabschef,  Generalfeldmarschall

                            


Prussian count and field marshal
Helmuth von Moltke began his military career in a Danish infantry regiment. In 1821, he joined the Leibgrenadier Regiment in Berlin as a newly-commissioned lieutenant in the Prussian Army. As a member of the general staff, he was sent to Turkey in 1835. He fought against Mehmet Ali of Egypt and also saw action in 1839 at the Battle of Nezib

Back in Germany, as a colonel and aide-de-camp to the future Kaiser Wilhelm I, he entered into a working alliance with Chancellor von Bismarck and War Minister Graf von Roon. Acutely aware of the effects of railways and telegraphs on military operations, he reorganized the General Staff into three geographical departments and a Railways Department. Was Kaiser Wilhelm I's Chief of General Staff for thirty-one years (1857-1888) when he directed the occupation of the Jutland during the Second Danish War (1864). Also guided the military during the Austro-Prussian War (1866) and the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). 

General von Moltke himself directed the siege of Paris and was promoted to field marshal. Like Schlieffen, he gave serious consideration to the problem of a two-front war, but eventually opted for the Russia first strategy. His nephew, Helmuth von Moltke the Younger was Prussian Chief of General Staff at the outbreak of World War One.

     
     

Generalstabschef  29.10.1857  -  10.08.1888

Generalfeldmarschall  16.06.1871
Kriegs-Denkmünze Deutsch-Dänischer Krieg  1864
Erinnerungs-Kreuz Deutscher Krieg  1866
Schwarzer Adler-Orden 28.07.1866
Militär-St-Heinrich 02.05.1828  Großkreuz
Großkreuz des EK  Deutsch-Französischer Krieg  1870–1871

Pour le Mérite  29.11.1839  (Eichenlaub: 17.02.1871;  Großkreuz mit Stern : 08.03.1879)