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COMMANDER // 1800–1891

Helmuth von Moltke

generalKingdom of PrussiaNorth German Confederation6 battles3 wars

Lifespan

1800 – 1891

1800182518501875Second Egyptian-Ottoman War · 1839-1841Austro-Prussian War · 1866Franco-Prussian War · 1870-1871Battle of Nezib — June 24, 1839 · Ottoman Empire · Second Egyptian-Ottoman WarBattle of Königgrätz — July 3, 1866 · Prussia · Austro-Prussian WarBattle of Langensalza — June 27, 1866 · Prussia · Austro-Prussian WarBattle of Gravelotte — August 18, 1870 · North German Confederation · Franco-Prussian WarBattle of Sedan — September 1, 1870 · North German Confederation · Franco-Prussian WarSiege of Paris — September 19, 1870 · North German Confederation · Franco-Prussian War

Active service 1839–1870 — 6 battles across 3 wars; first command at age 39.

Profile

Graf Helmuth Karl Bernhard von Moltke was a Prussian Generalfeldmarschall. The chief of staff of the Prussian Army for thirty years, he is regarded as the creator of a new, more modern method of directing armies in the field and one of the finest military minds of his generation. He commanded troops in Europe and the Middle East, in the Second Schleswig War, Austro-Prussian War, and Franco-Prussian War. He is described as embodying "Prussian military organization and tactical genius". He was fascinated with railways and pioneered their military use. He is often referred to as Moltke the Elder to distinguish him from his nephew Helmuth von Moltke the Younger, who commanded the German army at the outbreak of the First World War. He is notably the earliest-born human whose recorded voice is preserved, being born in the year 1800. He made four recordings; two that were recorded in October 1889 are preserved to this day.

Source · Wikipedia · Q44205

Battles (6)

Last verified June 2026
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