Arm band Africa

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The cuff bracelet Africa and others

The Africa cuff bracelet was an award from the Wehrmacht during World War II . It was donated by Adolf Hitler on January 15, 1943.

The Africa cuff should not be confused with the Africa Corps cuff, which was awarded to all members of the German Africa Corps as an association badge .

It has been awarded about 30,000 times. The conferral authority began from battalion commander upwards.

background

In February 1941, the German Africa Corps (DAK) was formed in Libya with the company Sonnenblume . The DAK should stabilize the previous African campaign of the Italian troops and support them against the British Army . In the period from 1941 to October 1942, the DAK under General Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was able to take large parts of Libya, Tunisia and Egypt until it was stopped and pushed back in front of El Alamein . In January 1943, under pressure from the Allies , the DAK had to evacuate Libya; the last German units in Africa capitulated on May 13, 1943.

Award Regulations

In principle, according to the award regulations of January 15, 1943, the Africa cuff bracelet could be awarded to members of the Wehrmacht who were directly deployed in the air, on the ground or at sea in Africa. Members of the army followers, persons subordinate to the army or those working directly on behalf of the army, as well as members of the non-armed forces who were subordinate to the air force or who worked on its direct behalf, could also be awarded. One of the following conditions had to be met.

army
  • Mission on African soil for six months
  • Injury during this mission
  • Illness from an illness drawn into the theater of war, which has led to the loss of full or limited ability to serve in the tropics
marine

The same rules applied to the navy as to the army. The following applies to the crews of ships:

  • At least six months at sea from fixed bases in Africa
air force

The same rules applied to the Air Force as to the Navy

1. Change to the award regulations on May 20, 1943 for the Army and July 1, 1943 for the Air Force. Members of Army Group Africa, who took part in the final battles on African soil on May 6, 1943, were awarded the Africa cuff bracelet after four months of service in Africa.

2. Change of the award regulations on December 14, 1943. The Africa cuff bracelet could now be awarded regardless of the period of use, provided that the person to be honored received a German bravery award during the fighting in Africa (Iron Cross, German Cross in Gold, mention in the honorary sheet, etc.) had acquired.

Presentation

The sleeve band (approx. 450 mm by 36 mm) was made of camel hair. The lettering Africa was made of white artificial silk embroidery in the middle. It was bordered on the upper and lower edge of the cuff by a 3 mm wide cord, which was also white. The Africa cuff was worn on the left forearm above the cuff.

literature