During the Austro-Prussian War Bose commanded the 15th Infantry Brigade, with which he distinguished himself at Podol, Münchengrätz and Sadowa.

At the end of the war Bose was promoted to lieutenant-general and given command of the 20th Infantry Division.

When the Franco-Prussian War started in August 1870, Bose was given command of the XI Corps, with which he served at the battle of Wörth where he was wounded.

Before the August 1919 abolition of nobility as a legal class, titles preceded the full name when given (Graf Helmuth James von Moltke).

), can be used, but are regarded as a dependent part of the surname, and thus come after any given names (Helmuth James Graf von Moltke).