| The Prussian Machine - Generals |
Hugo von Kathen
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Hugo Karl Gottlieb von Kathen (27.8.1855 - 2.4.1932) place of birth: Freienwalde, Westpommern (Chociwel, Poland) Prussian general of infantry who served as military governor of the Mainz Fortress during the first few months of the 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.). 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 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. Awarded the Pour le Merite for distinguished service during the Second Battle of Ypres. During Sep-Oct 1917, he took active part in the conquest of Riga, Oesel and Dagoe. Kathen replaced Graf von Kirchbach as commander of the Eighth Army for the last few months of the War. After the armistice, he continued commanding German troops in the Baltic States. Hugo von Kathen was married to the Berliner Susanne von Dechend from 1884 until her death in 1929. She was the daughter of former Reichsbank President Hermann von Dechend. Kathen died in Wiesbaden on 2 April 1932.
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