Hoffy's Mighty Maroon Machine - Major General Bert Hoffmeister

fgairdner · 23-01-2009, 07:16 PM

Hello All,

My Great Uncle was Bert Hoffmeister. I still remember some of his stories, and he actually showed me his collection of WW2 guns.

In October '43 he was promoted to Brigadier General and was given command of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. The 2nd CIB had been assigned the capture of a small town on the Adriatic called, Ortona. The 2CIB under my Uncle Bert Hoffmeister's leadership ultimately prevailed but at great cost in what was to become known as "Canada's Stalingrad". He was again promoted to Major-General and in May '44 took command of the 5th Armoured Division.

He, and the 1st Canadian Army took part in the liberation of the Netherlands.

I am wondering if anyone on this forum served with him and or has any stories. They would be great to hear.

Thanks for your time.

okmilmuseumhoffmeister

Tom Canning · 23-01-2009, 07:49 PM

fgairdner -
yes Bert hoffo was a goer and did a lot of good with 5th Armoured - the Ortona battle kept the Seaforths and Loyal Eddies busy for while over the christmas '43 losing far too many men......

Then it was on to the Liri valley where they got a bit mixed up with the British 6th Amoured Div .. and took a pasting at Ceprano and Frosinione - next big one was the Gothic where they claimed that they knocked down Tuvallu ( Tomba de Pesaro) - so we had to go in and clean it up !

I was with the 21st tank Bde supporting 1st Div and just to-day I have had a review of Gerry Chester's new book wherin he covers the 21st Action at the Gothic - should give you some idea of what went on in thoses days

Cheers

militarycross · 23-01-2009, 09:52 PM

I have a friend who worked for Bert as a clerk. He speaks of him very highly. Glad to see you at the forum. Welcome.

23-01-2009, 07:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
fgairdner Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12	Hoffy's Mighty Maroon Machine - Major General Bert Hoffmeister Hello All, My Great Uncle was Bert Hoffmeister. I still remember some of his stories, and he actually showed me his collection of WW2 guns. In October '43 he was promoted to Brigadier General and was given command of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. The 2nd CIB had been assigned the capture of a small town on the Adriatic called, Ortona. The 2CIB under my Uncle Bert Hoffmeister's leadership ultimately prevailed but at great cost in what was to become known as "Canada's Stalingrad". He was again promoted to Major-General and in May '44 took command of the 5th Armoured Division. He, and the 1st Canadian Army took part in the liberation of the Netherlands. I am wondering if anyone on this forum served with him and or has any stories. They would be great to hear. Thanks for your time. okmilmuseumhoffmeister Last edited by fgairdner; 23-01-2009 at 08:33 PM.

23-01-2009, 09:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
militarycross Very Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mostly in the Basement Posts: 1,620	I have a friend who worked for Bert as a clerk. He speaks of him very highly. Glad to see you at the forum. Welcome. __________________ The face of Sacrifice is a Mother's Face -- streaked with tears.

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23-01-2009, 07:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tom Canning WW2 Veteran Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,778	fgairdner - yes Bert hoffo was a goer and did a lot of good with 5th Armoured - the Ortona battle kept the Seaforths and Loyal Eddies busy for while over the christmas '43 losing far too many men...... Then it was on to the Liri valley where they got a bit mixed up with the British 6th Amoured Div .. and took a pasting at Ceprano and Frosinione - next big one was the Gothic where they claimed that they knocked down Tuvallu ( Tomba de Pesaro) - so we had to go in and clean it up ! I was with the 21st tank Bde supporting 1st Div and just to-day I have had a review of Gerry Chester's new book wherin he covers the 21st Action at the Gothic - should give you some idea of what went on in thoses days Cheers

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