the 2nd army during world war i, 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'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 23–24 august 1914 and again at st. quentin on 29–30 august 1914.