In a good, worn condition. Removed from the uniform cuff. Length approx. 34cm.

In February 1941, the German Afrika Korps (DAK) was formed in Libya with Operation Sonnenblume. The DAK was intended to stabilize the stalled campaign of the Italian troops and support them against the British troops.

From February 1941 to October 1942, the DAK, under the command of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, was able to take over large parts of Libya, Tunisia and Egypt until it was finally stopped in front of El Alamein and subsequently had to retreat. In January 1943, the DAK finally had to evacuate Libya due to the Allies enormous material superiority.
The last elements of the DAK surrendered near Tunis on May 13, 1943.

The Africa sleeve band was inaugurated on January 15, 1943 by the Führer and Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler. In principle, the Africa cuff could be awarded to all members of the Wehrmacht who were deployed in the air, on the ground or at sea in Africa.
Even people who were not members of the Wehrmacht could be awarded the cuff if they were directly subordinated. For example, members of the Wehrmacht entourage, the Reich Labor Service, or the Todt Organization, etc.
The cuff was awarded if at least one of the following requirements were met:

– Deployed to Africa for at least six months – Wounded In Africa.

– Illness due to an illness contracted in the theater of war that led to the loss or impairment of the ability to serve in the tropics.

The award regulations were changed or supplemented twice.
Changes to the award regulations on May 20, 1943 for the Army and on July 1, 1943 for the Air Force.

All members of Army Group Africa who honorably took part in the final battles in Africa from May 6, 1943, were awarded the Africa cuff after just four months of deployment in Africa.
Change in the award regulations on December 14, 1943. The Africa cuff could now be awarded regardless of the length of service, provided that the recipient had earned a German bravery award (Knights Cross, German Cross, Iron Cross, etc.) during the fighting in Africa.
The Africa cuff was awarded around 30,000 times. The awarding authority began from the battalion commander upwards. In addition to the cuff band, each awardee received a certificate confirming the award. The award was also recorded in the pay book or military record.

The cuffband (approx. 45 x 3.6 cm) was made of camel hair fabric. The lettering Africa was embroidered in white artificial silk in the middle. It was bordered at the top and bottom edge of the sleeve band by a white, approx. 3 mm wide strand. But there are also different variants in terms of material and color.
The Africa sleeve band was worn on the uniform on the left forearm above the cuff. The Africa sleeve band should not be confused with the Afrika Korps sleeve band. The Afrika Korps cuffband did not represent an award, but was the association badge of the German Afrika Korps (DAK) and could be worn by all members of the association. It is therefore much more common than the Africa cuff.

In a very good, unworn condition. Still sewn together at the end. Length approx. 29 cm.