Reinhold Hoffmann (9 August 1921 – 24 May 1944) was a Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (german: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), or simply the Knight's Cross (), and its variants, were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. The Knight' ...

during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. On 24 May 1944, Reinhold Hoffmann attempted an emergency landing at Friesack following aerial combat. His Fw 190 crashed, killing him instantly. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross on 28 January 1945. During his career he was credited with 67 aerial victories, 3 on the Western Front and 64 on the Eastern Front.

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to US historian

David T. Zabecki David T. Zabecki (born 1947) is an American military historian, author and editor. Zabecki served in the U.S. Army both in the Vietnam War and in United States Army Europe in Germany attaining the rank of major general. Zabecki holds PhDs in eng ...

, Hoffmann was credited with 66 aerial victories.

Awards

* Aviator badge * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (29 September 1943) * Iron Cross (1939) ** 2nd Class ** 1st Class * German Cross in Gold on 14 November 1943 as '' Feldwebel'' in the II./''Jagdgeschwader'' 54 *

on 28 January 1945 as '' Leutnant'' and pilot in the 6./''Jagdgeschwader'' 54

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External links

Aces of the Luftwaffe

TracesOfWar.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hoffmann, Reinhold 1921 births 1944 deaths Luftwaffe personnel killed in World War II German World War II flying aces Luftwaffe pilots People from Jelenia Góra People from the Province of Lower Silesia Recipients of the Gold German Cross Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in Germany Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1944