Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Soldaat

Unit:

x, Koninklijk Nederlandsch-Indisch Leger (KNIL)

Awarded on:

September 13th, 1947

Performed acts of courage, skill, and perseverance against the enemy. Private Hoffmann, along with two other soldiers, was part of a trio of soldiers who, under the command of Captain of Infantry P.I. van Hemert, escaped from the Wagele POW camp (West Burma) on October 4, 1942, after refusing to sign the declaration requiring them to promise not to escape (since, if they signed it, not only the escapees would be executed, but also a number of adjacent barracks mates, something that had already happened once in their presence to eight Australians). After trekking through the primeval forests for 12 days, they encountered a pro-English Katar tribe, who led them to the center of the Karen district, 34 miles away. Since it was learned that the Japanese were searching for them everywhere, they went into hiding for the time being; joining Allied troops was also not possible at the moment.
In September 1943, they joined a band of robbers at Makatoh, 11 miles southeast of Moulmein, which was armed with R.E. rifles and brens.
Captain Van Hemert reorganized this band into regular guerrilla troops, after which they regularly raided Japanese posts and transports, capturing many weapons and destroying vehicles, while also inflicting losses on the enemy.
In July 1944, they were finally surrounded by Japanese patrols, along with pro-Japanese Burmese, from which cordon escape proved impossible. One of the soldiers referred to above had previously separated from the troops and had been killed by the population.

Posthumously awarded (Royal Decree no. 20)