Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

3. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 73, 19. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

July 18th, 1941

143rd Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

3. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 73, 19. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

October 18th, 1941

According to Patzwall / Scherzer the name is Heinz.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 3. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 73, 19. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

March 1st, 1942

The following newspaper excerpt (dated 15.03.1942) describes why Westhofen received the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberleutnant Heinrich Westhofen (a distinguished Kompanie commander in a Schützen-Regiment) and his Kompanie were leading at the spearhead of the Regiment when he [Westhofen] and his men seized an enemy occupied village in a coup-de-main launched on his own initiative. By doing so they secured a more favourable jump-off position for the subsequent friendly attack on the following day. Later, on the 18.01.1942, he was serving as the acting Bataillon commander. On this day, and despite having been wounded for the third time recently, he was able to reenergize the stalled friendly attack whilst serving at the spearhead of the foremost Kompanie. This enabled his unit to reach its attack objective, an achievement of great importance for the higher commands.”