Rudolf Hofmann (4 September 1895 â 13 April 1970) was a German general during World War II and a recipient of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Hoffmann is known for his role in the PanÃÂevo executions. Hoffmann sentenced 36 Serb civilians to death in PanÃÂevo during the Nazi occupation of Yugoslavia. The executions were carried out by members of the German army, with assistance from the Kulturbund and Waffen-SS. Half were executed by hanging while the other half were executed by firing squad.