Theodor Hoffmann (admiral)
Encyclopedia
Theodor Hoffmann East German Admiral who served as the head of the People's Navy (Volksmarine
) and as the last Minister of National Defense of the Germany Democratic Republic and head of the National People's Army.
. From 1951 to 1952, Hoffmann was a Pioneer Leader in the Wismar District Free German Youth
(FDJ).
and joined the Socialist Unity Party of Germany
in 1956. Until 1959 he commanded a fast torpedo boat. From 1960 to 1963 he attended the Soviet Naval War Academy in Leningrad
earning a diploma in military science
. Subsequently, he held various senior positions in the 6th Fleet of the People's Navy. From 1971 to 1974 he was chief of the 6th Fleet with the rank of Frigate Captain. He later became deputy chief of staff for operational work in the People's Navy command. In 1985 he was appointed Deputy Chief of the People's Navy and Chief of Staff. In 1987 was appointed chief of the People's Navy (who is also Deputy Minister of National Defense) in the rank of Vice Admiral (two stars).
He was promoted to Admiral (three stars) and replaced Heinz Kessler
as the Minister of National Defense and head of the National People's Army, serving from 18 November 1989 to April 23, 1990. After being selected as the new Minister for National Defense
, Hoffmann was told by the outgoing Defense Minister, Army General Heinz Keßler that he was to be promoted to Generaloberst (Colonel-General) in the Army. Hoffmann refused to switch services and obtained approval from Egon Krenz
, Erich Honecker
’s successor, to remain an Admiral in the People's Navy. During the transitional period before the unification of Germany he served April 1990 to his retirement on September 24, 1990, as head of the National People's Army under, Rainer Eppelmann
, the newly established Minister for Disarmament and Defense
In 1993 Hoffmann published his reminiscences of last days of the National People's Army, Das letzte Kommando; Ein Minister erinnert sich. In 1995 he published his autobiography Kommando Ostsee; Vom Matrosen zum Admiral. He was awarded many East German orders and medals of including the Fatherland Merit Order in Bronze and the Scharnhorst Order.
Volksmarine
Volksmarine was the official designation of the maritime forces of the German Democratic Republic . It was part of the National People's Army, established in 1956.-History:...
) and as the last Minister of National Defense of the Germany Democratic Republic and head of the National People's Army.
Early life
Hoffmann worked from 1949 to 1951 in agricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
. From 1951 to 1952, Hoffmann was a Pioneer Leader in the Wismar District Free German Youth
Free German Youth
The Free German Youth, also known as the FDJ , was the official socialist youth movement of the German Democratic Republic and the Socialist Unity Party of Germany....
(FDJ).
Military career
In 1952 he became a sailor in the Sea Police (Seepolizei). which would later become the East German People's Navy (Volksmarine). He attended the Officers School of the People's Police at StralsundStralsund
- Main sights :* The Brick Gothic historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.* The heart of the old town is the Old Market Square , with the Gothic Town Hall . Behind the town hall stands the imposing Nikolaikirche , built in 1270-1360...
and joined the Socialist Unity Party of Germany
Socialist Unity Party of Germany
The Socialist Unity Party of Germany was the governing party of the German Democratic Republic from its formation on 7 October 1949 until the elections of March 1990. The SED was a communist political party with a Marxist-Leninist ideology...
in 1956. Until 1959 he commanded a fast torpedo boat. From 1960 to 1963 he attended the Soviet Naval War Academy in Leningrad
Leningrad
Leningrad is the former name of Saint Petersburg, Russia.Leningrad may also refer to:- Places :* Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, around Saint Petersburg* Leningrad, Tajikistan, capital of Muminobod district in Khatlon Province...
earning a diploma in military science
Military science
Military science is the process of translating national defence policy to produce military capability by employing military scientists, including theorists, researchers, experimental scientists, applied scientists, designers, engineers, test technicians, and military personnel responsible for...
. Subsequently, he held various senior positions in the 6th Fleet of the People's Navy. From 1971 to 1974 he was chief of the 6th Fleet with the rank of Frigate Captain. He later became deputy chief of staff for operational work in the People's Navy command. In 1985 he was appointed Deputy Chief of the People's Navy and Chief of Staff. In 1987 was appointed chief of the People's Navy (who is also Deputy Minister of National Defense) in the rank of Vice Admiral (two stars).
He was promoted to Admiral (three stars) and replaced Heinz Kessler
Heinz Kessler
Heinz Kessler was an Armeegeneral in the National People's Army of the German Democratic Republic ; Minister of Defense of the GDR; a member of the Politbüro of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany ; and a deputy of the GDR's Volkskammer...
as the Minister of National Defense and head of the National People's Army, serving from 18 November 1989 to April 23, 1990. After being selected as the new Minister for National Defense
Ministry of National Defence (East Germany)
The Ministry of National Defense was the chief administrative arm of the East German National People's Army. The MND was modeled on that of the Soviet Union. The headquarters of the Ministry was in Strausberg in Berlin. The Hugo Eberlein Guard Regiment provided security and guard services to the...
, Hoffmann was told by the outgoing Defense Minister, Army General Heinz Keßler that he was to be promoted to Generaloberst (Colonel-General) in the Army. Hoffmann refused to switch services and obtained approval from Egon Krenz
Egon Krenz
Egon Krenz is a former politician from East Germany , and that country's last Communist leader...
, Erich Honecker
Erich Honecker
Erich Honecker was a German communist politician who led the German Democratic Republic as General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party from 1971 until 1989, serving as Head of State as well from Willi Stoph's relinquishment of that post in 1976....
’s successor, to remain an Admiral in the People's Navy. During the transitional period before the unification of Germany he served April 1990 to his retirement on September 24, 1990, as head of the National People's Army under, Rainer Eppelmann
Rainer Eppelmann
Rainer Eppelmann , is a German politician. Known for his opposition in the German Democratic Republic, he became Minister for Disarmament and Defense in the last cabinet. He is now a member of the CDU....
, the newly established Minister for Disarmament and Defense
In 1993 Hoffmann published his reminiscences of last days of the National People's Army, Das letzte Kommando; Ein Minister erinnert sich. In 1995 he published his autobiography Kommando Ostsee; Vom Matrosen zum Admiral. He was awarded many East German orders and medals of including the Fatherland Merit Order in Bronze and the Scharnhorst Order.