Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War D.F.C. group of six awarded to Flight Lieutenant W. H. Westphal, Royal Australian Air Force, a Navigator who participated in more than 50 operational sorties, over half of them in the Path Finder Force

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1945’; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals; Australian Service Medal 1939-45, these last three officially inscribed ‘413701 W. H. Westphal’ but the second of them in a slightly different style, mounted court-style as worn, very fine and better (6) £800-1000

D.F.C. London Gazette 16 February 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘Flight Lieutenant Westphal has proved himself to be a most skilful and determined navigator who has consistently maintained a high standard of accuracy throughout all missions which has played a large part in many successes achieved by the crew.

On one occasion in March 1944, his aircraft was detailed to attack Nuremburg. Fighter opposition was very intense and attacks were sustained on two separate occasions before the target was reached but despite this Flight Lieutenant Westphal succeeded in navigating the aircraft accurately.

Another time, in July 1944, during a mission to Givors, most adverse weather was encountered with severe icing and electrical storms. Instruments were frozen and the airspeed indicator ceased to function but undaunted this officer again successfully navigated the aircraft to the target on time.

His courage and devotion to duty have always been most commendable.’

William Henry Westphal commenced his operational career as a Navigator in No. 49 Squadron, a Lancaster unit operating out of Fiskerton, Lincolnshire, in March 1944, and, as stated in the recommendation for his D.F.C., was lucky to return from the costly raid on Nuremburg on the 30th of that month, when no less than 95 aircraft were lost to enemy night fighters, and another 71 damaged. Having participated in a total of 20 sorties with No. 49, he transferred to No. 83 Squadron, another Lancaster unit, and a component of the Path Finder Force, based at Coningsby, Lincolnshire, with whom he completed his first tour in August 1944. In the very same month, however, he volunteered for a second tour of operations, this time participating in another 21 sorties with No. 83 prior to the end of hostilities in May 1945, and bringing his operational flying time to 298 hours.