German-Italian Africa Campaign Medal

Product Description: This German-Italian Africa Campaign Medal has great character. It’s made of a brass alloy, and is likely an early piece. The campaign medal itself is a nice strike, showing only extremely minor wear, and retaining loads of original detail on both sides. There is a pleasant, even, age patina. This one is complete with its correct original ribbon, and appears to have been worn. The green, white, red and black ribbon shows some fading and toning to the original colors, and some wear, but remains complete. The ribbon is sewn together, and the reverse retains an original, correct type safety pin, neatly hand stitched in place with off-white thread. This piece is an attractive, representative example of the German-Italian Africa Campaign Medal, and displays great. It remains in excellent condition overall.

Historical Description: In the spring of 1942, the Italian government instituted a special campaign award to recognize the achievements of German troops in the campaign in Africa. It was designed by Roberto De Marchis. Early examples were struck from Tombak, while later examples were made of zinc with a bronze wash. The front of the award depicts a Nazi Swastika and Italian Fascist emblem, flanking an image of the Arco del Felini, which stood in modern Libya. The inscription “Italo-German Campaign in Africa” is rendered in both German and Italian. The reverse of the medal shows two gladiators, representing Germany and Italy, doing battle with a crocodile, symbolizing Britain. The award was suspended from a ribbon bearing both the German and the Italian national colors. The first awards of this medal took place in 1942. Because Italy was a German ally, German soldiers were permitted to wear this award. That changed in 1944 with the surrender of Italy. On March 29, 1944. new orders prohibited German troops from wearing Italian decorations. The Africa Campaign Medal was specifically mentioned in this order.

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