Germany - Third Reich AFRIKA cuff title, (Ärmelband “Afrika”). This is stitched together and has been removed directly from a uniform. This cuff title was a military decoration awarded to members of the Wehrmacht who took part in the North African campaign of 1941–43.
Condition: Light service wear throughout, Very Fine.
Afrika cuff title, (Ärmelband “Afrika”), constructed of a classic tan-coloured camel hair cloth base, the exterior trimmed along both the top and bottom edges with machine-embroidered silver-grey tresses, bearing a central machine-embroidered silver-grey inscription of “AFRIKA”, flanked on each side by a palm tree, unmarked.
In February 1941, the German Africa Corps (DAK) was formed to support Italian forces in the North African campaign against British and Commonwealth forces. Under Erwin Rommel the DAK, supported by Luftwaffe and Naval units, occupied large parts of Libya and Egypt until finally defeated at El Alamein in October 1942. Forced to retreat, and faced with allied landings in Morocco and Algeria, DAK forces either evacuated North Africa or surrendered, with the last German units in Africa capitulating on 13 May 1943.
In July 1941, a dark-green cuff title with a white and khaki border inscribed AFRIKAKORPS was authorised, to be worn on the right cuff by members of the DAK who had served a minimum of two months in Africa. This was a corps designation badge, not a campaign award, and personnel who permanently transferred out of the North African theatre no longer had the right to wear it. The Luftwaffe later introduced a cuff title of a different design for airmen based in North Africa. As with the Army, this was not intended for wear by those no longer posted to North Africa. There was also a Navy version, that may have been a privately made unofficial item.
On 15 January 1943, the Africa cuff title was instituted by Adolf Hitler as a formal campaign decoration. The final terms of this award required at least six months service in the North African theatre of operations, or any lesser period if the recipient was decorated for bravery, was wounded or if killed – in which case a posthumous award was made. Those who contracted a debilitating illness which required evacuation required three months active service prior to illness. After 6 May 1943, the qualifying period of service was reduced from six to four months. The deadline for applications for the cuff title was 31 October 1944.
