| Ludwig Hoffmann | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Spinach |
| Born | 21 March 1908 Großrosseln, Germany |
| Died | 10 February 1999 Saarbrücken, Germany |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Waffen-SS |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Hauptsturmführer |
| Unit | SS-VT 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen 11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nordland |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross I Class Iron Cross II Class Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze Wound Badge Honour Roll Clasp of the Army[1] |
Ludwig Hoffmann (21 March 1908 — 10 February 1999) was a Hauptsturmführer (Captain) in the Waffen-SS during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.
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Ludwig Hoffmann was born on the 21 March 1908, in Saarbrücken. Hoffman graduated from elementary school in 1926 at Hanover. He then studied law at Heidelberg. After successfully completing his state exams Hoffmann was employed as an assessor in the Saarbrücker Ludwig office. He volunteered to join the SS-VT in March 1939.[1][2][3]
During World War II, Hoffmann was selected to become an officer and sent to the SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tölz after graduation he was promoted to Untersturmfuhrer (Second Lieutenant) in April 1941 and posted to the 3rd SS Division Totenkopf and by the end of 1943 was in command of the 9th Company.[2]
Hoffmann was then posted to the newly formed 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen as a company commander in the 19th SS Panzergrenadier Regiment and soon after given command of the III.Battalion, 19th SS Panzergrenadier Regiment.[2][3]
He was then transferred to the 11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nordland as the commander of the 23rd SS Panzergrenadier Regiment Norge on the death of its previous commander Martin Gürz.[2][3]
He commanded this battalion during the withdrawal from Kurland, Pomerania and into Berlin and distinguished himself again and again. He was one of the last members of the Wehrmacht to be awarded the Knight's Cross on the 9 May 1945, just before entering Russian Captivity.[1][2][3]
Ludwig Hoffmann spent four years in captivity and was released in November 1949. However due to the circumstances in Germany at the end of the war, he did not find out about his award of the Knight's Cross for 44 years until a collector contacted him about it.[2][3]
Ludwig Hoffman died on the 10 February 1999, in Saarbrücken.[2][3]