Allegiance Nazi Germany Years of service 1937–45 Unit U-48, U-134, U-672 | Service/branch Kriegsmarine Rank Obersteuermann Name Horst Hofmann | |
Born 18 January 1919
Cranzahl, Erzgebirge ( 1919-01-18 ) Died 14 June 1978(1978-06-14) (aged 59)
Lubeck | ||
Horst Hofmann (18 January 1919 in Cranzahl, Erzgebirge – 14 June 1978 in Lubeck) was a watch officer and coxswain on a Kriegsmarine U-boat in World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Hofmann sailed on nine war patrols on U-48 under the commands of Herbert Schultze, Hans Rudolf Rosing and Heinrich Bleichrodt, on seven war patrols on U-134 under the command of Rudolf Schendel, and four war patrols on U-672 under the command of Ulf Lawaetz. He and the entire crew of U-672 were taken prisoner of war when U-672 was sunk on 18 July 1944 following an attack from the frigate HMS Balfour. This action took place in the English Channel north of Guernsey at position 50°03′N 02°30′W.