 Long affiliated with John R. Mott and the American YMCA, Hoffmann served as the Senior Secretary of the War Prisoners’ Aid in Germany from 1915 to 1919.While in Germany, he also served as a member of the German National Committee  and coordinated the relief efforts of the International Red Cross, under the direction of Princess Margaret of Connaught, the Crown Princess of Sweden.Hoffmann acquired camp visitation privileges, allowing him to interact directly with prisoners.