Heinrich Hoffmann (naval officer)

Heinrich Hoffmann (17 August 1910–29 January 1998) was a Korvettenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

With only three serviceable torpedo boats, T-28, Jaguar and Möwe, at his disposal, Hoffmann attacked the Allied Invasion fleet, including the HMS Warspite and HMS Ramillies, near the Bay of the Seine on the morning of D-Day on 6 June 1944. During the attack, 18 torpedoes were launched, resulting in the sinking of the Norwegian destroyer HNoMS Svenner.

After World War II he rejoined the military of the Bundeswehr. In 1961 he became commander of the 1. Zerstörergeschwader (1st Destroyer Squadron), which included three former U.S. destroyers of the Fletcher-class, Z-1, Z-2 and Z-3.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (18 November 1939)
 * 1st Class (6 January 1941)
 * Destroyer War Badge (13 December 1940)
 * German Cross in Gold on 6 August 1942 as Kapitänleutnant on Torpedoboot Falke in the 5. Torpedobootflottille
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 7 June 1944 as Korvettenkapitän and chief of the 5. Torpedobootflottille
 * 524th Oak Leaves on 11 July 1944 as Korvettenkapitän and chief of the 5. Torpedobootflottille
 * Cross of Merit 1st Class (July 1968)