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Eugen Otto Freiherr von Hügel
(28.09.1853 - 03.01.1928)
place of birth: Stuttgart, Württemberg
Königreich
Württemberg: General der Infanterie
Royal Württemberg baron and general officer Otto von Hügel was
in command of the XXVI. Reserve Corps
throughout most of the Great War. Upon graduating from the
military academy at Ludwigsburg in July 1870, von Hügel
was sent directly to the front to fight
with the Infantry Regiment Nr. 122 (4th Württemberg)
in the Franco-Prussian War. He received a war-time promotion to
Second Lieutenant in December 1870.
Returning home to a peacetime military career saw Otto von Hügel
serve on numerous regimental staffs,
ultimately taking command of IR Nr.121 in Ludwigsburg. After heading up
2nd Infantry Division in East Prussia, Generalleutnant von Hügel
was placed on reserve officer status and
was simultaneously brevetted as General der Infanterie.
General von Hügel
was reactivated in August 1914 as
German troops were mobilized. He was initially assigned to XIII. Corps
headquarters in Stuttgart to serve as General Max von Fabeck's
in-garrison commander. At the end of August, however, he was selected to
lead the group of volunteer soldiers making up the newly-formed
XXVI. Reserve Corps. His troops were soon
transported in October to support Duke Albrecht's Fourth Army near Ypres
in
Flanders. The corps remained there over the next two years, engaged in
trench warfare, and they were some of the first German units to use gas
as a weapon. General von Hügel's
outstanding leadership was recognized by the Kaiser when he awarded the
Pour le Merite in August 1916.
The following month, XXVI. Reserves moved south to participate in
a support role during the Battle of the Somme. Von Hügel
briefly commanded a Second Army detachment south of the Somme in
October, but soon thereafter his reservists were sent to join General
von Einem's Third Army engaged in the Champagne area. It was here
in the spring of 1917 that troops under von Hügel's
command were designated as "Gruppe Dormoise". Shortly
before Germany's 1918 Spring Offensive, General von Hügel
was relieved of his command and replaced by fellow Württemberger,
General Oskar Freiherr von Watter.
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General
der Infanterie .... |
30.09.1914 |
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Pour
le Mérite .................... |
28.08.1916 |
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Württemberg
MVO ........... |
20.02.1918
Komtur |
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