Helmuth von Moltke was born in 1848. His uncle, Moltke the Elder, was a famous Prussian General famed for important military victories in 1866 and 1870.

In 1906 Moltke replaced Alfred von Schlieffen as German Army Chief of Staff. Though he maintained his predecessor's war plan, he adapted it to the French military build up in the south. After the outbreak of the First World War Moltke was able to convince a doubtful Kaiser Wilhelm II to follow the Schlieffen Plan.

Moltke proved to be indecisive during the invasion of France. Failure to give clear orders during the Battle of the Marne resulted in field commanders ordering a retreat. Wilhelm II was unimpressed with Moltke's performance and he was retired and replaced as German Army Chief of Staff by Erich von Falkenhayn. Helmuth von Moltke died in 1916.