Kluck, (Heinrich Rudolph) Alexander von (1846–1934)

German soldier. He commanded the German 1st Army which invaded Belgium at the start of World War I. After taking Brussels and outflanking Antwerp, he advanced on Mons, driving out the British army, and then advanced on Paris. He was attacked by the combined British and French armies in the Battle of the Marne September 1914 which led to a general retreat of the German line to the River Aisne where he made a successful stand. He was wounded at Soissons 1915 and retired 1916.