Helmuth von Moltke the Younger

Helmuth von Moltke the Younger
Moltke in 1906
Chief of the German Great General Staff
In office
1 January 1906 – 14 September 1914
MonarchWilhelm II
Chancellor
Preceded byAlfred von Schlieffen
Succeeded byErich von Falkenhayn
Personal details
Born
Helmuth Johannes Ludwig von Moltke

(1848-05-25)25 May 1848
Biendorf, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, German Confederation
Died18 June 1916(1916-06-18) (aged 68)
Berlin, Province of Brandenburg, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire
Resting placeInvalidenfriedhof
Spouse
Eliza von Moltke-Huitfeldt
(m. 1878)
Parent
RelativesHelmuth Karl Bernhard von Moltke (uncle)
Alma materWar Academy
Nickname(s)Moltke the Younger
(Moltke der Jüngere)
Military service
Allegiance
Branch/service Prussian Army
Years of service1868–1916
RankGeneraloberst
Unit7th Grenadier Regiment
Commands
Battles/wars
Awards

Helmuth Johannes Ludwig Graf[a] von Moltke (German: [ˈhɛlmuːt fɔn ˈmɔltkə]; 25 May 1848 – 18 June 1916), also known as Moltke the Younger, was a German general and Chief of the Great German General Staff, a member of the House of Moltke. He was also the nephew of Generalfeldmarschall Graf Helmuth Karl Bernhard von Moltke, who is commonly called "Moltke the Elder" to differentiate the two.

Upon becoming the head of the General Staff, Moltke led the German Army from 1 January 1906 to 14 September 1914 during the opening months of World War I. His legacy remains a matter of controversy, due to his involvement in Germany's decision to go to war and in the execution of the invasion of France and Belgium that culminated in the First Battle of the Marne.
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