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Karl Hoffman, 1923-2009, 3rd Panzer, Anti Tank Battalion 3, Kursk

Discussion in 'WWII Obituaries' started by crash, Mar 2, 2009.

  1. crash

    crash recruit

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    OregonLive Obituaries & Death Notices from Oregonian Online Obits – oregonlive.com




    Hoffmann, Karl 85 03/29/1923 02/22/2009 Karl Hoffmann was born in Berlin, Germany, on March 29, 1923, and passed away Feb. 22, 2009, in Green Valley, Ariz. A German officer in World War II, he fought on the Russian front, sustaining several wounds and receiving various medals for his bravery in action. Following the end of the war, Karl worked as a cost accountant for the U.S. Army. In 1950 he immigrated to Portland where he began living what he always referred to as his "American Dream." Karl began his career in the United States employed as a pay clerk for a shingle company, and moved to an accounting position at Pacific Power and Light(PacifiCorp). He remained employed at the company for the next 40 years, ending his career as the company's treasurer. Throughout his life, Karl immersed himself completely into, and thoroughly enjoyed, his many and varied hobbies, including repairing vehicles, photography, building and repairing televisions and radios, flying his plane, and of course, computers. Karl was instrumental in starting the computer club at the Lake Oswego Senior Center and further carried that interest to Green Valley's club. Karl assisted in the refurbishing and maintenance of the 60 computers at the "Springs" and in addition taught many courses in the operation and maintenance of computers.
     
  2. crash

    crash recruit

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    KARL WAS PART OF ARMY GROUP “KEMPF” DURING OPERATION CITADEL, AND FOUGHT ALONG WITH THE ELITE ARMY DIVISION GROSS DEUTSCHLAND, THE 11th PANZER DIVISION AND THE 167th INFANTRY DIVISION. HE COMMANDED A MARDER BATTALION AND WAS WOUNDED SEVERAL TIMES IN KURSK THE LAST WAS VIA RUSSIAN SNIPER THAT MUCH ENDED HIS DAYS AS A GERMAN SOLDIER. KARL FOUGHT IN THE BELGOROD SECTOR BEFORE BEING WOUNDED LAST ON AUG 13TH. HE REMEMBERED VERY WELL THE NIGHT BEFORE BATTLE, JULY 4TH TAKING UP POSITIONS ALONG SIDE GROSS DEUTSCHLAND JUST BEFORE 3 AM WHEN ALL 10,000 ARTILLARY PIECES LET LOOSE. FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS HE HARDLY REMEMBERED MUCH OF THE BATTLE....SO MUCH GOING ON. JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE HE WOULD SAY.


    Karl didnt mind answering the many questions I had about the eastern front. Like the Author of so-you-want-interview-veteran states, Karl suggested I read a few of his favorites that included; SOLDAT BY SIEGFRIED KNAPPE, and IN DEADLY COMBAT BY GOTTLIEB HERBERT BIEDERMANN. I would read and ask questions.
     
  3. PzJgr

    PzJgr Drill Instructor

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    Those two books are excellent reading. RIP Karl. :mourn:
     
  4. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    May he rest in peace .
     

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