WWII Italian-German Award for African Campaign-This zinc/alloy medal features two embossed, high relief, stylized gladiators, representing Germany and Italy, slaying a crocodile, representing Great Britain on the obverse. The reverse has the embossed likeness of the Feleni arch, the Royal Knot of the House of Savoy, and a swastika. The outer border of the reverse has embossed script in both Italian and German, "Campagna Italo-Tedesca in Africa", and, "Italienisch-Deutscher Feldzug in Afrika" (Italian-German Campaign in Africa). The obverse has the name of the designer (De Marchis) and the manufacturer (Lorioli-Milan, above the left leg of the croc) stamped into it. This medal is in excellent condition. The medal comes complete with a full piece of original rayon ribbon in both the German and Italian national colors. Very slight age discoloration on the ribbon but otherwise in excellent condition, as is the medal.
History: WWII Italo-German Campaign Medal in Africa-Officially called the "Medaille für den Italienisch-Detuschen Feldzug in Afrika". The Italian/German African campaign medal was introduced by the Italian government in the spring of 1942 to commemorate the actions of the DAK, Deutsche Afrika Korps (German Africa Corps), in Africa. As a foreign war decoration, German personnel were given pre-authorization to accept and wear the medal it if was awarded. Interesting note: After Italy’s capitulation and declaration of war against Germany in September and October of 1943, further wear of any Italian decorations or awards was prohibited. However, the prohibition wasn’t official until regulations of March 1944 restricting wear of Italian awards was authorized. Of Interest: The Feleni arch, as depicted on the reverse of the medal, was erected by Mussolini on the border between the Libyan provinces of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica in 1937 making it a most suitable emblem for this award.