It is always the case where a member is the speaker and the content is both interesting and leaves those present amazed at the experiences and significant role.
This week was no exception. Richard Westlake provided an absorbing presentation about his father (Group Captain George Westlake DSO) and the experience of fighter pilots during the Second World War. He covered the events of Operation Bowler that occurred over Venice in the final stages of World War Two on the 2nd March 1945.
Acting Wing Commander George Westlake led the meticulous planning of the operation which involved targeted bombing of the German force’s military strategic headquarters. A very successful operation with minimum collateral damage.In August 1940 Churchill spoke in the House of Commons stating: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”. He was paying tribute to the pilots and aircrew of the Royal Air Force – later known as ‘The Few’.Richard spoke of the years leading up to his time in the RAF. Growing up in Burma and then moving to England with his family. His father learnt to fly at 17 years and later became an instructor of the 213 Squadron. He described the life of a pilot in those years as a mixture of excitement, speed, fear, loss and victory.He donated a book entitled Operation Bowler. Unlike Monte Casino where there was large-scale destruction of heritage sites, ‘Operation Bowler’ succeeded in hitting their target while saving the cultural heritage. The book was successfully auctioned by Tony for $70 – the proceeds going towards ‘Lifting the Lid’.Richard today still flies out of the Paraparaumu aerodrome in a Hawker ‘Hunter’ which he described as being like driving a sports car. He is currently the President of the Kapiti Districts Aero Club. As well as being a successful business man specialising in governance and organisational change, he follows his passion in the air far above any corporate boardroom.