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Moltke (HELMUTH VON German soldier)

HELMUTH VON, German soldier; born in 1848. He was the nephew of the famous strategist of the same name associated with Bismarck in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Taking up a military career in his youth, his natural executive ability, as well as family influence, insured his rapid progress in promotion to highest rank. In 1906 he became Chief of the General Staff of the German military forces. It is generally believed that General von Moltke, together with the Crown Prince, was the most powerful influence in hurling Germany into the war, beginning in 1914. He was, at any rate, one of the chief figures in the military clique which precipitated hostilities, under the firm belief that Germany was invincible. Behe was dismissed from active duty cause of disagreem sagreement with the Emperor, duty in December, 1914, more or less in disgrace, and was succeeded by General von Falkenhayn. Suffering keenly under this humiliation, his health deteriorated, and in June, 1916, he died while in the act of delivering an address.