Hugo Karl Gottlieb von Kathen 
(27.08.1855 - 02.04.1932)
place of birth:  Freienwalde a.O.
Königreich Preußen:  OBH,  General der Infanterie


Prussian General der Infanterie Hugo von Kathen commanded the newly-formed XXIII. Reserve-Korps for most of the Great War. Kathen was born into the family of Agnes Schumann and father Karl, who was a landowner and had previously been a Major in the Royal Prussian Army. His father's family, merchants from Stralsund, had originally been beknighted into the Swedish aristocracy (17th c.) He was also 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.

In peacetime Germany, Hugo von Kathen had spent most of his career working Guards units in the Berlin area. He was also assigned to duties at the Prussian War Ministry for over nine years, ultimately heading up the ministry's Infantry Department. After commanding an infantry regiment, a brigade, and a division, Kathen was chosen in 1912 to be the Military Goveror of Fortress Mainz. While in Mainz, Kathen was promoted to the rank of General der Infanterie. He remained at this posting as German forces invaded Belgium in August 1914. Within a month, Kathen was transferred from Berlin to the Western Front in order to command the troops of 39. Infanterie-Division.

In December 1914, General von Kathen was dispatched to lead the XXIII. Reserve-Korps, also engaged on the Western Front. He ended up commanding this corps on both fronts for most of the remainder of the War. Kathen was considered an excellent tactician and ably led his troops during the Second Battle of Ypres. For his distinguished service and leadership during this campaign he was decorated in 1916 with the highest Royal Prussian order of bravery, the Pour le Mérite. In September to October 1917, his troops took active part in the conquest of Riga, Oesel and Dagoe. In the summer of 1918, General von Kathen replaced Graf von Kirchbach as commander of 8. Armee-Oberkommando headquarters. Although he remained with this assignment for the last few months of the War, he continued commanding German troops in the Baltic States after the Armistice. 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)