Britannica Sources used in this answer

When and where was Helmuth von Moltke born?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Helmuth von Moltke (the elder), who served as the chief of the Prussian and German General Staff, was born on October 26, 1800, in Parchim, Mecklenburg [Germany].1

It is important to distinguish him from his nephew and namesake, Helmuth von Moltke (the younger), who served as the chief of the German General Staff during the outbreak of World War I and was born in 1848.2