At the outbreak of World War I, Huyghé served in the Belgian Army during the German invasion of Belgium, fighting at the Battles of Liège, Antwerp and the Yser in 1914. In 1915, with the front stabilised at the Yser, Huyghé returned to the Belgian Congo to serve in the "Force Publique" in the East African Campaign. He initially served under Colonel Molitor in the North Brigade ("Brigade Nord") during the operations on the frontier of German Ruanda-Urundi and fought at the Battle of Tabora in 1916. Replacing Charles Tombeur as commander of the "Force Publique" on campaign in February 1917, he commanded the Belgian forces at the important Battle of Mahenge in October 1917.