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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.
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