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.