Helmuth von Moltke the Elder
German field marshal (1800–1891) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Helmuth Karl Bernhard Graf von Moltke (German: [ˈhɛlmuːt fɔn ˈmɔltkə]; 26 October 1800 – 24 April 1891) was a Prussian field marshal.[1] 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".[2] He was fascinated with railways and pioneered their military use.[3][4] He is often referred to as Moltke the Elder to distinguish him from his nephew Helmuth von Moltke the Younger (Helmuth Johann Ludwig von Moltke), 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 last year of the 18th century (1800). He made four recordings; two that were recorded in October 1889 are preserved to this day.
Helmuth von Moltke the Elder | |
---|---|
1st Chief of the German General Staff | |
In office 18 January 1871 – 10 August 1888 | |
Monarchs | |
Chancellor | Otto von Bismarck |
Preceded by | Position established |
Succeeded by | Alfred von Waldersee |
11th Chief of the Prussian General Staff | |
In office 7 October 1857 – 18 January 1871 | |
Monarch | Wilhelm I |
Minister President | Otto von Bismarck |
Minister of War of Prussia | Albrecht von Roon |
Preceded by | Karl von Reyher |
Succeeded by | Himself (as Chief of the German General Staff) |
Personal details | |
Born | (1800-10-26)26 October 1800 Parchim, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Holy Roman Empire |
Died | 24 April 1891(1891-04-24) (aged 90) Berlin, Prussia, German Empire |
Spouse |
Marie Burt
(m. 1842; died 1868) |
Relatives | Helmuth von Moltke the Younger (nephew) |
Signature | |
Nickname(s) | Moltke the Elder (Moltke der Ältere) The Great Taciturn (Der große Schweiger) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Kingdom of Prussia German Empire Denmark Ottoman Empire |
Branch/service | Prussian Army |
Years of service | 1819–88 |
Rank | Second lieutenant (Danish Army) Generalfeldmarschall (German Army) |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | see below |
Helmuth von Moltke reciting Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3, "Dein Ohr leih Jedem, Wen’gen deine Stimme" – Give every man thy ear but few thy voice. (recorded Oct 1889) | |