He received promotion to the rank of Leutnant on 1 October 1938 just prior to his unit becoming one of the first to be equipped with the new Bf 110 Zerstörer twin-engine fighters. Hoffmann was obliged to undergo further training at the Pilot’s School at Erding before transitioning to the new fighter.

Messerschmitt Bf110 nightfighters at Schleswig

In July 1940, Hoffmann undertook a spell of instructing and was appointed a Staffelkapitän. The unit was disbanded in August 1941 and he transferred to the Nachtjagd. Following his conversion training, he was posted as Staffelkapitän to 5./NJG 3, based at Schleswig. On 13 February 1942, he participated in Operation Donnerkeil, providing aerial protection for the German Navy’s battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy Cruiser Prinz Eugen for their Channel dash from the French port of Brest to German ports.

On 1 May 1945, Hoffmann joined 7./NJG 3, based at Hussum in Schleswig Holstein. However, he was unable to fly any combat missions before surrendering to British troops on 7 May 1945. Following three months internment in the prison camp at Wiedelah, Hoffmann was released. He studied pharmacy and opened a Dispensary at Goslar in Harz. In 1957, Hoffmann was engaged as an advisor by Höechst AG  of Bremen. He now lives in retirement in Bremen.