Africa Star, Medal Ribbon

Campaign North Africa Dates 10 Jun 1940 - 12 May 1943 Location North and North-East Africa Ribbon Pale buff to symbolise the desert, overlaid with a central red stripe and one narrow stripe each of dark and light blue to represent the three services. Worn with the dark blue stripe furthest from the left shoulder. Criteria Star awarded for 1 or more days’ service in North Africa, Malta or Egypt between the above dates. The qualifying areas for the Africa Star also include the earlier areas of conflict against the Italians in East Africa; those serving in Abyssinia, Sudan, Eritrea, Kenya or Somaliland between certain other specified dates will also qualify. Naval personnel anywhere at sea in the Mediterranean or in harbour in North Africa, Malta or Egypt between the above dates will qualify. Those serving in direct support of the Eritrean and Abyssinian campaigns between certain other specified dates will also qualify. RAF air crew landing in or flying over an area of an Army operational command or flying over enemy occupied territory in North Africa will also qualify. Service with either the 1st or 8th Army in North Africa during certain specified dates will qualify for award of the '1st Army' or '8th Army' Clasp to be worn on the ribbon of the Africa Star. Provided neither the 1st or 8th Army Clasps have been qualified for, staff of the 18 Army Group Headquarters who served between certain specified dates under a specified General will qualify for award of the Clasp 'North Africa 1942-43'. Campaign History In North Africa, British forces fought against the Germans and Italians between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943. Italy entered the war in July 1940 when their forces invaded British colonies in East Africa. When the British fought back, Germany sent troops to help the Italians. The British were then weakened after sending forces to aid Greece and German forces advanced, taking control of large areas of Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. The desert conflict continued with the balance of power shifting between the two sides until the British eventually secured victory on 12 May 1943 when the remaining German forces surrendered at Tunis. Some historians consider the British victory over the German forces here to have been the turning point in the war which led to victory.