Even before the outbreak of World War I, Staabs was the commander of the 37th Division. In August 1914, was his division of the in East Prussia with the 8th Army on the Eastern Front. His troops fought as part of the XX. Army Corps under Friedrich von Scholtz in the Battle of Tannenberg and in the Battle of the Masurian Lakes. From June 15, 1915 to July 6, 1916, Staabs was the commander of the 3rd Division. His troops fought in the breakthrough Battle at Przasnysz in July 1915 and then pursued to the lower Narew. In September they advanced to Wolkowysk ago and went from 20 October between Naroch and Dryswjatysee for years of trench warfare until it was over. For his work he had received the swords of the Order of the Red Eagle, II. Class and the royal crown in August 1915.