Hugo Karl Gottlieb von Kathen 
(27.08.1855 - 02.04.1932)
place of birth:  Freienwalde, Westpommern  (Chociwel, PL)
Königreich Preußen:  General der Infanterie


Prussian General der Infanterie Hugo von Kathen served as Military Governor of Fortress Mainz during the first few months of the Great War. Kathen was born into the family of Agnes Schumann and father Karl, who was a landowner and major in the Royal Prussian Army. His father's family, merchants from Stralsund, had originally been beknighted into the swedish aristocracy (17th c.). 

General von Kathen received his first field command in December 1914, having been transferred to lead the XXIII. Reserve Corps. He ended up commanding this corps on both fronts for most of the remainder of the War. He was considered an excellent tactician and ably led his troops during the First Marne (Sept 1914) near the town of Epernay. He was awarded the Pour le Merite for distinguished service during the Second Battle of Ypres. In September to October 1917, his troops took active part in the conquest of Riga, Oesel and Dagoe. Von Kathen replaced General Graf von Kirchbach as commander of the Eighth Army for the last few months of the War, although he continued commanding German troops in the Baltic States after the Armistice.

General Hugo von  Kathen was married to the Berliner Susanne von Dechend from 1884 until her death in 1929. She was the daughter of former Imperial Reichsbank President Hermann von Dechend. General Kathen passed away in Wiesbaden on 2 April 1932 at the age of 76 years.

	General der Infanterie ....	22.03.1914
	Pour le Mérite ....................	28.08.1916  (Eichenlaub:  27.08.1917)