Max von Bock und Polach

Max von Bock und Polach (5 September 1842 – 4 March 1915) was a Prussian officer and Field Marshal. He served in the military during the three wars of German unification under the leadership of Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck.

Early life Max came from the Meissen Uradelsgeschlecht von Bock und Polach and was the second son of the Prussian captain Ernst von Bock und Polach (1799-1849). His older brother was the future Lord Mayor of Mülheim an der Ruhr, Karl von Bock und Polach (1840-1902).

Military career After visiting the Cadet Corps, Bock und Polach joined the military, along with his brother Karl, in 1860, as a second lieutenant in Infantry Regiment No. 55 a. In 1864 he fought in the German-Danish War of 1866. During the Franco-German War, he served as adjutant of the Lieutenant-General Adolf von Glümer, a Member of Staff of the 13th Division and was awarded the Iron Cross II Class.

He was promoted to the rank of captain. He returned from the war and taught at the War College in Hanover. Shortly afterwards, he was transferred to Infantry Regiment No. 16. In 1872 he became à la suite of the 6th Westphalian Infantry Regiment "Graf Bülow of Dennewitz" No. 55.

Von Bock und Polach became a Major General in 1890. He returned a year later as a member of the Upper Military Study Commission and quartermaster in the Great General Staff. With his promotion to lieutenant general in 1893, he was appointed commander of the 20th Division in Hanover. Von Bock und Polach was then promoted to general of infantry in 1897, the Commanding General of the Guard Corps.

He led the XIV Army Corps in Karlsruhe from 27 January 1902 to 10 September 1907. In 1907 he became inspector general of the III Army inspection in Hanover. On 18 September 1908 he was appointed Colonel-General. Together with Alfred von Schlieffen and Colmar von der Goltz, he was appointed Field marshal by the Emperor at the New Year celebration on 1 January 1911.

In autumn 1912 he submitted his resignation, which was granted with effect from 13 September 1912.

Family Von Bock und Polach married on 19 April 1873 in Mehrum House, Mathilde Baroness von Plettenberg (1850-1924). They had three daughters.

Honours German orders and decorations

Foreign orders and decorations Knight of the Iron Crown, 3rd Class with War Decoration, 1864 Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of Leopold, 1900; in Diamonds, 1901 Grand Cross of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Grand Cordon of the Rising Sun Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau Order of Osmanieh, 1st Class Knight of the White Eagle Siam: Grand Cross of the White Elephant