Eugen Otto Freiherr von Hügel  
(20.09.1853 - 04.01.1928)
place of birth:  Stuttgart
Königreich Württemberg:  KG,  Stellv KG,  General der Infanterie z.D.


Royal Württemberg baron and general officer Otto von Hügel was in command of the XXVI. Reserve-Korps throughout most of the Great War.  Upon graduating from the military academy at Ludwigsburg in July 1870, Hügel was sent directly to the front to fight with the 4. Württemberg Infanterie-Regiment 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 2. Infanterie-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. Armee-Korps 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-Korps. His troops were soon transported in October to support Duke Albrecht's 4. Armee near Ypres in Flanders. The corps remained there over the next two years engaged in trench warfare; they were also 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 3. Armee 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.

	General der Infanterie	30.09.1914
	Kriegs-Denkmünze	Deutsch-Französischer Krieg  1870–1871
	Pour le Mérite	28.08.1916
	Württemberg MVO	20.02.1918   Kommentur