German Military Leader:

Helmuth von Moltke

Main Life Accomplishments:

He was a German General field marshal. The chief of staff of the Prussian Army for thirty years, he is widely regarded as one of the great strategists of the latter half of the 1800s, and the creator of a new, more modern method, of directing armies in the field. He is often referred to as Moltke the Elder to distinguish him from his nephew Helmuth Johann Ludwig von Moltke, who commanded the German Army at the outbreak of World War I.

 

Basics:

Born: 26-Oct-1800, Parchim, Germany 

Died: 24-Apr-1891, Berlin, Germany

Nationality:  German

Religion: 

Fields: Politics. Military

Main Accomplishments: He created the general staff that became the basis for Germany's formidable modern armies, and the model for similar organizations throughout Europe. He also guided the armed forces of Prussia and Germany to victories over Denmark, Austria, and France, making possible Bismarck's creation of a unified German state.

 

Chronology of Life Events:

October 26, 1800 

Birth of Helmuth von Moltke

 

1827

He had published a short romance, The Two Friends.

 

1831

He wrote an essay entitled Holland and Belgium in their Mutual Relations, from their Separation under Philip II to their Reunion under William I. 

 

1832

He was seconded for service on the general staff at Berlin

 

1833

Promotion to first lieutenant

 

1835

On his promotion as captain, Moltke obtained six months leave to travel in south-Eastern Europe.

 

1838

Moltke was sent as adviser to the Ottoman general commanding the troops in Armenia, who was to carry on a campaign against Muhammad Ali of Egypt

 

1839

His army moved south to fight the Egyptians, but upon the approach of the enemy the general refused to listen to Moltke's advice.

 

24 June 1839 

The Ottoman army was beaten (Muhammad Ali was defeated only once or twice in his lifetime).

 

December 1839 

His patron, Sultan Mahmud II, was dead, so he returned to Berlin where he arrived, broken in health

 

1840

Moltke had been appointed to the staff of the 4th army corps, stationed at Berlin and he published his maps of Constantinople, and, jointly with other German travellers, a new map of Asia Minor and a memoir on the geography of that country.

 

1845

Moltke published The Russo-Turkish Campaign in Europe, 1828-1829, this book was also well received in military circles.

 

1848
After a brief return to the great general staff at Berlin, he became chief of the staff of the 4th army corps.

 

1855

Moltke served as personal aide to Prince Frederick (later Emperor Frederick III)

 

1857

Moltke was given the position Chief of the Prussian Großer Generalstab (military staff), a position he held for the next 30 years.

 

1859

He Austro-Sardinian War in Italy caused the mobilization of the Prussian army, though it did not fight.

 

December 1862

Moltke was asked for an opinion upon the military aspect of the quarrel with Denmark.

 

February 1864
When the Second Schleswig War began, Moltke was not sent with the Prussian forces, but kept at Berlin. 

 

1866

Moltke planned and led the successful military operations during the Austro-Prussian War

 

1867

The Campaign of 1866 in Germany was published. This history was produced under Moltke's personal supervision, it was regarded as quite accurate at the time.

 

December 24, 1868

Moltke's wife died at Berlin. Her remains were buried in a small chapel erected by Moltke as a mausoleum in the park at Kreisau.

 

July 5, 1870

The order for the mobilization of the Prussian and South German forces was issued, his plans were adopted without dispute. Five days later he was appointed Chief of the general staff of the army for the duration of the war. This gave Moltke the right to issue orders which were equivalent to royal commands.

 

1871

Moltke again planned and led the Prussian armies in the Franco-Prussian Warwhich paved the way for the creation of the Prussian-led German Empire 

 

27 October

The Siege of Metz ended with its surrender 

 

October 1870

Moltke was made a Graf (Count) as a reward for his services.

 

June 1871

He was further rewarded by a promotion to the rank of field marshal and a large monetary grant.

 

1888

Moltke retired as Chief of the General Staff and was succeeded by Graf von Waldersee.

 

9 August 1888

Moltke retired from active service

 

1891

Died in Berlin

 

Early Life:

Moltke was born in Parchim, Mecklenburg-Schwerin to a German family of ancient nobility. His father in 1805 settled in Holstein, but about the same time was impoverished by the burning of his country house and the plunder by the French of his town house in Lübeck, where his wife and children were during the Fourth Coalition. Young Moltke therefore grew up in straitened circumstances. At the age of nine he was sent as a boarder to Hohenfelde in Holstein, and at the age of eleven to the cadet school at Copenhagen, being destined for the Danish army and court. In 1818 he became a page to the king of Denmark and second lieutenant in a Danish infantry regiment.

 

Wife Background:

He married a young English woman, Mary Burt, the step-daughter of his sister. It was a happy union, though there were no children.

 

Father Background:

His father is Friedrich Philipp Victor von Moltke

 

Mother Background:

His mother is Henriette

 
 
SuperAttainer

ANALYSIS SECTION:

 
 
1. Early Success
 

When did the SuperAttainer first display ability that was greatly above average and what were his accomplishments? 
 

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2. Contrarian

 
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3. Conceited
 
What are the actions and documented statements that exhibit an elevated sense of self importance of the SuperAttainer? 
 
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4. Hard-Knocked 
 
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5. Loner
 
Is there evidence of the SuperAttainer being comfortable spending time apart from others? 
 

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6. Mentored & Motivated
 
Who was vital to developing the SuperAttainer and guiding his career and what significant actions were taken?
 

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7. Discontent
 
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8. Promoted
 
What actions or events were responsible for publicizing the tremendous achievements and abilities of the SuperAttainer?
 

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Overall Score:

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PASS

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