 On 21 August 1916, he became Chief of Staff of the 5th Army (whose commander-in-chief was Prince Wilhelm) and managed to minimize the military fallout from the drain on resources of the Battle of Verdun.On 25 November 1916, Lüttwitz was made commanding general of III Corps.Having received the order Pour le Mérite on 24 August 1916, in March 1918 he was commanding general during the Spring Offensive near Saint-Quentin/La Fère and for his actions received the "oak leaves" addition to this medal on 26 March 1918.