[2] In October 1920, Höfle entered the Reichswehr with Infantry Regiment 19 in Munich, and served for a time as an orderly officer to Hauptmann Ernst Röhm.

In November 1923, Höfle refused orders to fire on members of the Reichskriegsflagge who were to participate in Adolf Hitler's failed Beer Hall Putsch.

[4] While still a serving officer, Höfle on 9 November 1933 officially joined the Sturmabteilung (SA), the Nazi paramilitary unit headed by SA-Stabschef Röhm.

He was awarded the rank of SA-Standartenführer and was assigned to the staff of the Supreme SA Command where he served as a military advisor to Röhm.

[4] On 1 October 1934, Höfle also left the SA and transferred to the National Socialist Motor Corps (NSKK) as an NSKK-Standartenführer.

He served as an instructor with the temporary Spanish rank of Commandante (equivalent to Major) of reserves until returning to Germany in May 1937 due to illness.

From 1939 until 1 July 1943, he was also the NSKK liaison officer to Governor General Hans Frank in occupied Poland, as well as to the Reich Interior Ministry and to the Amt Rosenberg.

From September 1943 to October 1944, he served as the Higher SS and Police Leader (HSSPF) "Mitte" in central Germany, with headquarters in Braunschweig.

[9] In December 1944, Höfle led an anti-partisan operation in which troops under his command, the Dirlewanger Brigade, committed numerous atrocities against the civilian population.