Reinhold Hoffmann

Reinhold Hoffmann
Born9 August 1921
Petersdorf, Germany
Died24 May 1944(1944-05-24) (aged 22)
Friesack, Germany
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Branch Luftwaffe
Service years?–1944
RankLeutnant (second lieutenant)
UnitJG 54
ConflictsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Reinhold Hoffmann (9 August 1921 – 24 May 1944) was a Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. On 24 May 1944, Hoffmann attempted an emergency landing at Friesack following aerial combat. His Focke-Wulf Fw 190 crashed, killing him instantly. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross on 28 January 1945. Depending on source, he was credited between 61 and 67 aerial victories, at least 58 of which on the Eastern Front.

Career

Hoffmann was born on 9 August 1921 in Petersdorf, now Piechowice in southwestern Poland, then in Province of Lower Silesia within the Weimar Republic.[1]

On 24 May 1944, Hoffmann was killed in action flying Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8 (Werknummer 680184—factory number), crashing 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) west of Friesack.[2] His aircraft somersaulted during the emergency landing.[3] Posthumously, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 28 January 1945.[4]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Hoffmann was credited with 67 aerial victories.[5] Spick lists him with 66 aerial victories, 60 on the Eastern Front and six heavy bombers on the Western Front, claimed in an unknown number of combat missions.[6] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found documentation for 67 aerial victory claims. This number includes 64 claims on the Eastern Front and three heavy bombers on the Western Front.[7]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 54431". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 km × 4 km (1.9 mi × 2.5 mi) in size.[8]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Hoffmann an "ace-in-a-day", a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day.
  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates an Herausschuss (separation shot)—a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from his combat box which was counted as an aerial victory.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location
– 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[9]
Eastern Front — July 1942 – 3 February 1943
1?[Note 1] 27 July 1942 19:05 Yak-1 southeast of Pola train station[10] 2 22 August 1942 06:11 Il-2 PQ 54431[11]
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Belyov
– 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[12]
Eastern Front — 4 February – November 1944
3 21 March 1943 08:40 Yak-1 PQ 36 Ost 00272[13]
15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Pushkin 		27 20 October 1943 15:48 Yak-7 north of Kiev[14]
4 30 May 1943 20:04 P-40 PQ 36 Ost 10122[15]
east of Shlisselburg 		?[Note 2] 14 September 1943 16:07 Il-2 30 km (19 mi) north-northwest of Jarzewo
5 12 July 1943 19:25 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 74754[17] 28♠ 21 October 1943 12:09 Yak-7 east of Khodoriv[14]
6 13 July 1943 12:52 Boston PQ 35 Ost 63254[17]
40 km (25 mi) east-southeast of Oryol 		29♠ 21 October 1943 12:15 Yak-9 south of Jaschniki[14]
7 13 July 1943 12:53 Boston PQ 35 Ost 63291[17]
55 km (34 mi) southeast of Oryol 		30♠ 21 October 1943 14:50 La-5 east of Kargalnik[14]
8 13 July 1943 12:56 Boston PQ 35 Ost 73172[17] 31♠ 21 October 1943 15:00 Yak-7 west-southwest of Pii[14]
9 16 July 1943 11:30 Il-2 m.H.[Note 3] PQ 35 Ost 64853[18]
20 km (12 mi) southeast of Mtsensk 		32♠ 21 October 1943 15:03 Il-2 west-southwest of Pii[14]
10 16 July 1943 11:37 Il-2 m.H.[Note 3] PQ 35 Ost 64894[18]
25 km (16 mi) southeast of Mtsensk 		33♠ 21 October 1943 15:04 Il-2 northeast of Pii[14]
11 16 July 1943 11:42 Il-2 m.H.[Note 3] PQ 35 Ost 74743[18] 34♠ 21 October 1943 15:06 Il-2 south of Gruschewo[14]
12 22 July 1943 18:25 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 63112[18]
vicinity of Oryol 		35♠ 22 October 1943 06:19 La-5 south of Daljewka[14]
south of Lalzka
13 22 July 1943 18:35 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 63162[18]
20 km (12 mi) southeast of Oryol 		36♠ 22 October 1943 09:14 Il-2 south-southeast of Kussinoje[19]
south-southeast of Kusminzy
14 2 August 1943 09:00 Yak-7 PQ 36 Ost 00262[20]
10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Shlisselburg 		37♠ 22 October 1943 09:15 Il-2 north of Pii[19]
?[Note 2] 2 August 1943 12:58 LaGG-3 30 km (19 mi) west-southwest of Shlisselburg 38♠ 22 October 1943 09:17 Il-2 west of Schtschutschinka[19]
15 9 August 1943 16:01 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 54582[20]
25 km (16 mi) northeast of Karachev 		39♠ 22 October 1943 09:21 Il-2 east of Rzhyshchiv[19]
west of Schtschutschinka
16 9 August 1943 16:02 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 54591[20]
30 km (19 mi) northeast of Karachev 		40♠ 22 October 1943 12:08 La-5 east of Romaschki[19]
17 11 August 1943 18:32 LaGG-3 PQ 35 Ost 45762[21]
5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of Kitov 		41♠ 22 October 1943 12:11 Yak-7 north of Chodorow[19]
18 17 August 1943 04:50 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 53253[21]
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Oryol 		42♠ 22 October 1943 12:14 Yak-7 north of Chodorow[19]
?[Note 2] 21 August 1943 16:45 Il-2 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Sevsk 43 24 October 1943 12:45 Yak-9 south of Trachtemirow[19]
south of Frantimirow
19 23 August 1943 07:11 Boston PQ 35 Ost 44413[21]
10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Zhizdra 		44 2 November 1943 15:07 Yak-9 east of Lyutezh[19]
20 23 August 1943 07:14 Boston PQ 35 Ost 44283[21]
5 km (3.1 mi) south of Zhizdra 		45♠ 3 November 1943 09:15 Il-2 east of Glebowka[22]
south of Vyshgorod
21 24 August 1943 07:04 DB-3 PQ 35 Ost 44523, west of Stajka[23]
15 km (9.3 mi) south-southwest of Dyatkovo 		46♠ 3 November 1943 11:09?[Note 4] Yak-7 south of Vyshgorod[22]
southeast of Vyshgorod
?[Note 2] 26 August 1943 16:25 Boston 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Sevsk 47♠ 3 November 1943 11:13 Yak-9 southeast of Vyshgorod[22]
east of Valki
22 1 September 1943 18:01 Il-2 m.H.[Note 3] PQ 35 Ost 25462[23]
20 km (12 mi) west of Yelnya 		48♠ 3 November 1943 12:25 Il-2 east of Valki[22]
east-southeast of Lyutezh
23 1 September 1943 18:07 Il-2 m.H.[Note 3] PQ 35 Ost 35343[23]
10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Yelnya 		49♠ 3 November 1943 12:28 Il-2 east-southeast of Lyutezh[22]
west of Vyshgorod
24 6 September 1943 06:00 Yak-9 PQ 35 Ost 26734[24]
10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Moschna 		50♠ 3 November 1943 12:40 Yak-9 west of Vyshgorod[22]
east of Glebowka
25 6 September 1943 09:50 Yak-9 PQ 35 Ost 26841[24]
10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Yartsevo 		51♠ 3 November 1943 14:38 Yak-9 west of Valki[22]
?[Note 2] 7 September 1943 17:31 La-5 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Zhizdra 52♠ 3 November 1943 14:49 Yak-9 southeast of Lyutezh[22]
26 8 September 1943 11:35 Yak-9 PQ 35 Ost 4416[24] 53 6 November 1943 07:55 Yak-7 south of Lyutezh[22]
east of Lyutezh
– 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[12]
Eastern Front — 1 January – April 1944
54 6 April 1944 08:00 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 88364[25]
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Selo 		57 17 April 1944 06:55 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 88883[25]
40 km (25 mi) southeast of Ostrov
55 8 April 1944 10:00 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 88883[25]
45 km (28 mi) southeast of Ostrov 		58 17 April 1944 06:59 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 88824[25]
40 km (25 mi) southeast of Ostrov
56 17 April 1944 06:53 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 88842[25]
30 km (19 mi) south-southeast of Ostrov 		59 21 April 1944 11:23 La-5 PQ 26 Ost 70644[25]
20 km (12 mi) west-southwest of Hungerburg
– 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[12]
Defense of the Reich — May 1944
60 19 May 1944 13:15 B-24 PQ 15 Ost FB[26]
south of Wittingen 		62 19 May 1944 13:31?[Note 5] B-24* PQ 15 Ost JB[27]
south of Wittingen
61 19 May 1944 13:18 B-24* PQ 15 Ost FB[27]
Nienburg

Awards

Notes

  1. ^ Mathews and Foreman list this claim as Hoffmann's first aerial victory.[9] Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock express doubt whether this claim can clearly be attributed to Hoffmann.[10]
  2. ^ a b c d e According to Mathews and Foreman, this claim was filed by Hoffmann.[7] Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock attribute this claim to Leutnant Rudolf Hofmann.[16]
  3. ^ a b c d e The "m.H." refers to an Ilyushin Il-2 with rear gunner (mit Heckschütze).
  4. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:00.[12]
  5. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:21.[12]
  6. ^ According to Obermaier on 29 September 1943.[1]
  7. ^ According to Scherzer as Leutnant of the Reserves and pilot in the III./Jagdgeschwader 54.[32]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b Obermaier 1989, p. 135.
  2. ^ Prien et al. 2019, p. 458.
  3. ^ Weal 2001, p. 91.
  4. ^ Weal 2001, p. 120.
  5. ^ Zabecki 2014, p. 1616.
  6. ^ Spick 1996, p. 239.
  7. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 537–538.
  8. ^ Planquadrat.
  9. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 537.
  10. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 147.
  11. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 149.
  12. ^ a b c d e Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 538.
  13. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 270.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2012, p. 279.
  15. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 271.
  16. ^ Prien et al. 2012, pp. 274–277.
  17. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2012, p. 272.
  18. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2012, p. 273.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2012, p. 280.
  20. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2012, p. 274.
  21. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2012, p. 275.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2012, p. 281.
  23. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2012, p. 276.
  24. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2012, p. 277.
  25. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2022, p. 478.
  26. ^ Prien et al. 2019, p. 450.
  27. ^ a b Prien et al. 2019, p. 451.
  28. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 196.
  29. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 103.
  30. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 191.
  31. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 232.
  32. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 399.

Bibliography

  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  • Dixon, Jeremy (2023). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1943–1945. Barnsley: Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-39903-073-1.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 2 G–L. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-19-6.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2006). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/III—Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad—1.5.1942 bis 3.2.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/III—From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad—1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-78-6.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2012). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/III—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/III—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-07-9.
  • Prien, Jochen; Balke, Ulf; Stemmer, Gerhard; Bock, Winfried (2019). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 13/V—Einsatz im Reichsverteidigung und im Westen—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 13/V—Action in the Defense of the Reich and in the West—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-942943-21-5.
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