Siegfried Westphal – Operations Officer under Rommel, Chief of Staff under Kesselring & Rundstedt

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Siegfried Westphal. General der Kavallerie Siegfried Westphal (18 March 1902, Leipzig † 2 July 1982, Celle) was a German Army officer who rose to the rank of General der Kavallerie during the Second World War. A highly respected staff officer, he served as Chief of Staff to some of Germany’s most famous field commanders, including Erwin Rommel and Albert Kesselring, and later became Chief of Staff of OB West under Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt.

Awards and Decorations:

• German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) – 29 November 1942, as Oberst i.G. in the General Staff of Panzergruppe Afrika.

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 18 May 1943, as Oberst i.G. and Chief of Staff of Panzerarmee Afrika.

Career Highlights:

• Began his career in the cavalry during the Reichswehr years, later transferring to the General Staff.

• In North Africa, served as Chief of Staff to Rommel, where his organizational skill and clarity of thought proved indispensable in managing Panzerarmee Afrika.

• Decorated with the German Cross in Gold and later the Knight’s Cross for his service in the African campaign.

• After the collapse of Axis forces in Africa, he was reassigned to Italy and later to France.

• Served as Chief of Staff to OB West during the Normandy campaign of 1944, working under Rundstedt during the Allied landings and subsequent battles in France.

• Captured in 1945 and later released from captivity.

• In postwar years, he became a respected military historian, publishing memoirs and works on the war, and later served as a NATO adviser.

• Died in 1982 in Celle.

Item Details:

• Authentic postwar signature of General der Kavallerie Siegfried Westphal.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Condition: Clear and well-preserved autograph.

Collector’s Note:
Westphal’s combination of frontline General Staff roles — serving directly under Rommel, Kesselring, and Rundstedt — makes him one of the most historically significant German staff officers of the war. His awards, his presence at many of the key campaigns of WWII, and his postwar prominence as an author and NATO figure make his signed material highly desirable.