Born in Berlin, von Linstow joined the German military, Reichswehr, after the First World War.

In April 1944, he was dispatched to Paris, France, as Chief of Staff under the authority of Carl-Heinrich von Stülpnagel.

It was not until the actual day of the 20 July Plot in 1944, that Stülpnagel included von Linstow in his plans.

Von Linstow promptly rounded up most SS, SD and Gestapo officers in Paris and imprisoned them.

Sentenced to death in Berlin by Roland Freisler, president of the People's Court on 30 August, he was executed that same day in Berlin-Plötzensee.