Karl Wilhelm Paul von Bülow  
(24.4.1846 - 31.8.1921)
place of birth:  Berlin
Generalfeldmarschall:  27 January 1915


Born into an old distinguished Prussian family, Karl Wilhelm saw action in the German War of 1866 and served as a captain on the General Staff during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. Thereafter, von Bülow spent most of his career in the Berlin area, with many of his assignments within the Guard Corps. 

One of the highest-ranking generals at the outbreak of the Great War, he was charged with command of the Second Army (1914-15), also having nominal control over the First and Third Armies -- Germany's right flank. Von Bülow had recently married a much younger woman and also suffered from a very painful form of neuralgia, probably severely affecting his judgement. He defeated General Lanrezac at Charleroi and Guise- St. Quentin. He was also in overall command during the Battle of the First Aisne and the Race to the Sea. He was later awarded Pour le Merite for his part in the capture of the Namur Fortress.

General von Bülow was promoted to Field Marshal in January of 1915, but was nonetheless a very cautious and pessimistic commander who lost his nerve following the failure at the River Marne. He subsequently gave up his command to Marwitz after suffering a heart attack in March 1915. His role in the Battle of the Marne having damaged his reputation making it impossible for him to secure another army command, von Bülow went on convalescent leave to Berlin and went on inactive reserve status in June of 1916. He remained in Berlin until his death on 31 August 1921. After he died, his granddaughter Renate Holm became a famous opera singer in Germany and Austria. GFM Karl von Bülow is not to be confused with Generalmajor Karl Ulrich von Bülow, who commanded troop at Caporetto and was also the brother of Prussian Chancellor Bernhard von Bülow.