Karl von Bulow (April 24, 1846-August 31, 1921) was a German General commanding the German 2nd Army during World War I from 1914-1918.

Born on April 24, 1846 to a distinguished Prussian military family Bulow enlisted in the Prussian Army during the Seven Weeks' War in 1866 and later the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 as a junior officer. A Captain of the German General Staff in 1877 Bulow was promoted to Colonel assigned to the 9th Guards Regiment in 1894. In 1897 Bulow became director of the Central Department in the German War Ministry. Commander of the German III Corps from 1903 until his appointment to Army Inspector of the German 3rd Army in 1912 shortly before the outbreak of WWI. Assigned to the German 2nd Army in August 1914 invaded Belgium capturing the fortress of Namur on August 22-23, 1914. Advancing into France Bulow defeated Gen. Charles Lanrezac commanding the French Fifth Army at Charleroi on August 23-24, 1914 and again at Guise-Saint Quentin on August 29-30, 1914. As the 2nd Army and Gen. Alexander von Kluck's 1st Army neared Paris from August 31-September 2 Bulow, concerned of the growing gap between the two Armies, ordered Kluck to turn the 1st Army on his right towards him. This decision however would result in Kluck's advancing south and east of Paris, instead of north and west as specified in the Schlieffen Plan. As Bulow crossed the Marne on September 4 deciding to retreat to Aisne however after the sucessful counterattack by combined French and British forces against Kluck's 1st Army at the First Battle of the Marne on September 5-10. Promoted to Field Marshal in January of the next year however, after suffering a heart attack two months later, was allowed to retire in early 1916 living in Berlin until his death on August 31, 1921.

Further Reading

• Barbra Tuchman, The Guns of August, New York, 1972

External Links

• FirstWorldWar.com Who's Who: Karl von Bulow