German Second Army
Encyclopedia
The 2nd Army was a World War I
and World War II
field army.
, fought on the Western Front
and took part in the Schlieffen Plan
offensive against France
and Belgium
in August 1914. Commanded by General Karl von Bülow
, the 2nd Army's mission was to support the 1st Army (Germany)'s sweep around the left flank of the French Army
and encircle Paris
, bringing a rapid conclusion to the war. The 2nd Army laid siege to, and took the Belgian fortresses around Namur
, and fought General Charles Lanrezac
's French 5th Army at the Battle of Charleroi
on August 23-24, 1914 and again at St. Quentin
on August 29-30, 1914.
A large proportion of the Army would be wiped out during the joint Anglo-French offensive on the Somme.
in command. First seeing service in France, the army was involved in the invasion of the Balkans, before offensive operations in the Ukraine
as part of Operation Barbarossa
.
In 1942 the II. Armee covers the northern wing of opération Fall Blau operating in the suroundings of Voronej and suffered a major defeat during the soviet winter offensive that followed the battle of Stalingrad
.
In 1945 the army was pivotal in the defence of East and West Prussia before finally surrendering
on 9 May 1945.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
field army.
First World War
The 2nd Army during World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, fought on the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
and took part in the Schlieffen Plan
Schlieffen Plan
The Schlieffen Plan was the German General Staff's early 20th century overall strategic plan for victory in a possible future war in which the German Empire might find itself fighting on two fronts: France to the west and Russia to the east...
offensive against France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
in August 1914. Commanded by General Karl von Bülow
Karl von Bülow
Karl von Bülow was a German Field Marshal commanding the German 2nd Army during World War I from 1914 to 1915.-Biography:...
, the 2nd Army's mission was to support the 1st Army (Germany)'s sweep around the left flank of the French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
and encircle Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, bringing a rapid conclusion to the war. The 2nd Army laid siege to, and took the Belgian fortresses around Namur
Namur (city)
Namur is a city and municipality in Wallonia, in southern Belgium. It is both the capital of the province of Namur and of Wallonia....
, and fought General Charles Lanrezac
Charles Lanrezac
Charles Lanrezac was a distinguished general of the French army at the outbreak of World War I.-Early life:...
's French 5th Army at the Battle of Charleroi
Battle of Charleroi
The Battle of Charleroi , or the Battle of the Sambre , was fought on 21 August 1914, between French and German forces and was part of the Battle of the Frontiers. The French were planning an attack across the Sambre River, when the Germans launched an attack of their own...
on August 23-24, 1914 and again at St. Quentin
Battle of St. Quentin (1914)
The Battle of St. Quentin was fought during World War I.On the night of 26 August 1914, the Allies withdrew from Le Cateau to St...
on August 29-30, 1914.
A large proportion of the Army would be wiped out during the joint Anglo-French offensive on the Somme.
Commanders
- General Karl von BülowKarl von BülowKarl von Bülow was a German Field Marshal commanding the German 2nd Army during World War I from 1914 to 1915.-Biography:...
(1914–March 1915) - General Georg von der MarwitzGeorg von der MarwitzJohannes Georg von der Marwitz was a Prussian cavalry general, who commanded several German armies during the First World War on both the Eastern and Western fronts.-Early military career:...
(December 1916-September 1918)
Second World War
The 2nd Army was activated on October 20, 1939 with General Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von WeichsMaximilian von Weichs
Maximilian Maria Joseph Karl Gabriel Lamoral Reichsfreiherr von Weichs zu Glon was a German Generalfeldmarschall during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
in command. First seeing service in France, the army was involved in the invasion of the Balkans, before offensive operations in the Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
as part of Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II that began on 22 June 1941. Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR along a front., the largest invasion in the history of warfare...
.
In 1942 the II. Armee covers the northern wing of opération Fall Blau operating in the suroundings of Voronej and suffered a major defeat during the soviet winter offensive that followed the battle of Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle of World War II in which Nazi Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad in southwestern Russia. The battle took place between 23 August 1942 and 2 February 1943...
.
In 1945 the army was pivotal in the defence of East and West Prussia before finally surrendering
End of World War II in Europe
The final battles of the European Theatre of World War II as well as the German surrender to the Western Allies and the Soviet Union took place in late April and early May 1945.-Timeline of surrenders and deaths:...
on 9 May 1945.
Commanders
- General Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von WeichsMaximilian von WeichsMaximilian Maria Joseph Karl Gabriel Lamoral Reichsfreiherr von Weichs zu Glon was a German Generalfeldmarschall during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
(October 20, 1939 - July 13, 1942) - General Hans von SalmuthHans von SalmuthHans Eberhard Kurt von Salmuth was a German general during World War II. A lifelong professional soldier, he served his country as a junior officer in World War I, a staff officer in the inter-war period and early World War II, and an army level commander...
(July 14, 1942 - February 3, 1943) - General Walter Weiss (February 4, 1943 - March 9, 1945)
- General Dietrich von SauckenDietrich von SauckenFriedrich Wilhelm Eduard Kasimir Dietrich von Saucken was a general in the German army, the Wehrmacht Heer, during World War II...
(March 10, 1945 - May 9, 1945)