Wilhelm Hofmann was born on 24 March 1921 at Reichelsheim
in the Oderwald region of Hessen. Hofmann joined JG 26 following completion
of operational training with Ergänzungsjagdgruppe West on 11 June 1942.
Unteroffizier Hofmann was assigned to 1./JG 26. He gained his first victory,
a RAF Spitfire fighter shot down near Cassel, on 11 October 1942. On 9
December, Hofmann suffered engine failure in his Fw 190 A-4 (W.Nr. 5617)
and crash-landed near Watten. He suffered severe injuries that kept him
in hospital for four months. He returned to 1./JG 26 on 31 March 1943 by
which time the unit had relocated to Eastern front. He shot down a Russian
LaGG-3 fighter on 14 May for his 2nd, and only, victory on the Eastern
front. In September 1943, Feldwebel Hofmann transferred to 10./JG 26. However
his stay was short for he was serving with 8./JG 26 in October. On 29 February
1944 Leutnant Hofmann was appointed Staffelkapitän of 8./JG 26. He recorded
his 10th victory on 15 March. He was to gain much success over Normandy
following the Allied landings. Oberleutnant Hofmann was awarded the Deutsches
Kreuz in Gold on 22 July for 26 victories. He brought his score to 30 on
20 August by claiming two USAAF P-47 fighters. On 22 October, Hofmann injured
his left eye in a ground accident when, examining a dismounted aircraft
machine gun, the bolt closed suddenly. He continued to fly combat missions
wearing an eyepatch. Leutnant Hofmann was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 24
October. He had claimed 40 victories at this time. On 1 January 1945, Hofmann
led 8./JG 26 on Operation Bodenplatte attacking Brussels-Evere airfield.
On 15 January 1945, Hofmann assumed command of 5./JG 26 but retained control
of 8./JG 26. However, on 15 February, 8./JG 26 was disbanded and he became
the permanent leader of 5./JG 26. Hofmann led a formation of eight Fw 190s
from Drope on a Jabojagd mission in the Wesel-Bocholt area on 26 March
1945. The formation encountered USAAF B-26s near Münster and he led a bounce
of the RAF Tempest fighter escort shooting down one for his 44th victory.
However, during the ensuing confusion Hofmann went missing. It was later
determined he had been shot down by his wingman and crashed between Hasselünne
and Flechum. He had managed to bale out but was too low for his parachute
to deploy.
Wilhelm Hofmann was credited with 44 victories achieved
in 260 missions of which 43 were gained on the Western
Front including six four-engine bombers.
His score also included thirteen P-47s and
ten P-51s.
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11.10.1942
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Spitfire | 1./JG 26 | 5km W Cassel | Spitfire of 64 Sqn, RAF |
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14.5.1943
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LaGG-3 | 1./JG 26 | USSR (PQ 41484) | |
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18.10.1943
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Spitfire | 8./JG 26 | near Ardres | Spitfire of 132 Sqn, RAF |
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4.1.1944
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Spitfire | 8./JG 26 | near Rue | Spitfire of 501 Sqn, RAF |
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7.1.1944
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B-17 | 8./JG 26 | 2km E La Calique | |
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11.1.1944
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B-17 e.V. | 8./JG 26 | 4km NW Rheine | |
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28.1.1944
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Mustang | 8./JG 26 | between Abbeville a Berck | Mustang of 2 Sqn, RAF |
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29.1.1944
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B-17 | 8./JG 26 | 2km N Lutrebois | B-17 of 95 BG, USAAF |
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8.3.1944
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P-51 | 8./JG 26 | 17km W Torgau | P-51 of 363 FG, USAAF |
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15.3.1944
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B-24 | 8./JG 26 | NW Gevelsburg | B-24 of 392 BG, USAAF |
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12.4.1944
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B-24 | 8./JG 26 | 52km E Charleville | B-24 of 445 BG, USAAF |
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13.4.1944
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P-47 | 8./JG 26 | near Trier | P-47 of 78 FG, USAAF |
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9.5.1944
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P-51 | 8./JG 26 | 13km WNW Turnhout | P-51 of 357 FG, USAAF |
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8.6.1944
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Mustang | 8./JG 26 | NW Caen | Mustang of 168 Sqn, RAF |
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8.6.1944
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P-47 | 8./JG 26 | 20km SE Caen | |
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8.6.1944
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P-47 | 8./JG 26 | W Rouen | |
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10.6.1944
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P-47 | 8./JG 26 | NW Lisieux | P-47 of 78 FG, USAAF |
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12.6.1944
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P-47 | 8./JG 26 | 40km SE Rouen | P-47 of 353 FG, USAAF |
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17.6.1944
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P-47 | 8./JG 26 | St Lô | |
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22.6.1944
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B-24 HSS | 8./JG 26 | SE Paris | B-24 of 34 BG, USAAF |
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23.6.1944
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Mustang | 8./JG 26 | NE Caen | Mustang of 414 Sqn, RAF |
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24.6.1944
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Mustang | 8./JG 26 | 25km WSW Dreux | Mustang of 65 Sqn, RAF |
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24.6.1944
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P-47 | 8./JG 26 | W Dreux | P-47 of 373 FG, USAAF |
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25.6.1944
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P-38 | 8./JG 26 | W Rouen | P-38 of 370 FG, USAAF |
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29.6.1944
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Spitfire | 8./JG 26 | 10km SW Lisieux | Spitfire of 222 Sqn, RAF |
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10.7.1944
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Spitfire | 8./JG 26 | N Caen | |
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15.8.1944
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P-47 | 8./JG 26 | Versailles | P-47 of 373 FG, USAAF |
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17.8.1944
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Spitfire | 8./JG 26 | NW Rouen | Spitfire of 1 Sqn, RAF |
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18.8.1944
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Mustang | 8./JG 26 | Beauvais | Mustang of 315 Sqn, RAF |
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20.8.1944
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P-47 | 8./JG 26 | NW Paris | P-47 of 362 FG, USAAF |
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20.8.1944
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P-47 | 8./JG 26 | W Rouen | P-47 of 404 FG, USAAF |
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23.8.1944
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Spitfire | 8./JG 26 | NE Paris | Spitfire of 421 or 443 Sqn, RAF |
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25.8.1944
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P-38 | 8./JG 26 | W Beauvais | P-38 of 474 FG, USAAF |
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25.8.1944
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P-51 | 8./JG 26 | N Soissons | P-51 of 354 FG, USAAF |
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25.8.1944
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P-51 | 8./JG 26 | N Soissons | P-51 of 354 FG, USAAF |
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28.8.1944
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Auster | 8./JG 26 | Melun | |
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17.9.1944
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P-51 | 8./JG 26 | Emmerich | P-51 of 4 FG, USAAF |
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21.9.1944
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C-47 | 8./JG 26 | Deelen | C-47 of 38 or 46 Gp, USAAF |
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21.9.1944
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P-47 | 8./JG 26 | Zwolle | P-47 of 353 FG, USAAF |
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2.10.1944
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Spitfire | 8./JG 26 | Cleve-Nijmegen | Spitfire of 401 Sqn, RAF |
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28.2.1945
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P-47 | 5./JG 26 | Near Mönchen-Gladbach | P-47 of 406 FG, USAAF |
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1.3.1945
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Auster | 5./JG 26 | Near Mönchen-Gladbach | |
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1.3.1945
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P-47 | 5./JG 26 | Near Mönchen-Gladbach | P-47 of 366 FG, USAAF |
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26.3.1945
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Tempest | 5./JG 26 | SW Münster | Tempest of 33 Sqn, RAF |
Victories : 44
Awards : Knight`s Cross
Units : JG 26