France and Germany Star facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The France and Germany Star |
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| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Type | Military campaign medal |
| Eligibility | All Ranks |
| Awarded for | Entry into operational service |
| Campaign(s) | North West Europe 1944-1945 |
| Clasps | ATLANTIC |
| Statistics | |
| Established | May 1945 |
| Order of wear | |
| Next (higher) | Italy Star |
| Next (lower) | Defence Medal |
| Related | Atlantic Star |
  Ribbon bar without and with rosette |
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The France and Germany Star was a special medal given out after World War II. The United Kingdom created it in May 1945. It was awarded to soldiers, sailors, and aircrew from the British Commonwealth. They earned it for serving in places like France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, or Germany. This service had to be between June 6, 1944, and May 8, 1945.
This medal also had a special bar called the Atlantic clasp. This clasp could be worn on the medal's ribbon.
Contents
What are the World War II Stars?
During World War II, many different medals were created. These were called "campaign stars." They honored people who served in specific battles or areas. The first two stars were made in July 1943. By the end of the war, there were eight stars in total. In 2013, two more were added, long after the war ended.
You could only receive a maximum of six campaign stars. If you qualified for more than one star in a certain group, you would get the first one you earned. The others would be shown as a special clasp on the ribbon. Only one clasp could be worn on any star.
Here are some of the main stars:
- The 1939–1945 Star was for general service throughout the war.
- You could get only one of these three: the Atlantic Star, Air Crew Europe Star, or the France and Germany Star.
- The Arctic Star was for those who served in the cold Arctic convoys.
- The Africa Star was for service in the North African Campaign.
- You could get either the Pacific Star or the Burma Star for service in those areas.
- The Italy Star was for service in the Italian Campaign.
Everyone who received a campaign star also got the War Medal.
Since you could only get one of the Atlantic Star, Air Crew Europe Star, or France and Germany Star, here's how it worked:
- If you earned the Atlantic Star first, you might get an Air Crew Europe or France and Germany clasp.
- If you earned the Air Crew Europe Star first, you might get a France and Germany or Atlantic clasp.
- If you earned the France and Germany Star first, you could only get an Atlantic clasp. The Air Crew Europe clasp was for an earlier time period.
Why Was This Medal Created?
The Allies began their big push into North West Europe on 'D-Day', June 6, 1944. This was when British, American, and Canadian forces landed on the beaches of Northern France. For the next eleven months, these forces moved across Western Europe. Germany finally surrendered on May 8, 1945.
The France and Germany Star was created in May 1945. It was for those who served in battles on land or in the air in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, or Germany. This was from D-Day until the war ended in Europe on May 8, 1945. Sailors and merchant navy members also qualified if they directly supported these land operations.
Who Earned the France and Germany Star?
This medal was given for active service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, and Germany. This was between June 6, 1944, and May 8, 1945. Sailors and merchant navy crews also qualified if they served in nearby sea areas. These areas included parts of the North Sea, the Bay of Biscay, and the English Channel. Their service had to directly support the land battles.
Air crew members who flew missions against the enemy over Europe after June 6, 1944, qualified with just one flight. If flying personnel were based in the United Kingdom for transport or ferrying duties, they needed at least three landings in Europe to qualify.
Service in the Mediterranean Sea did not count for this medal. Also, soldiers who entered Austria late in the war did not qualify for this star. These types of service usually qualified for the Italy Star instead.
Not many South African units served in North West Europe. However, some South African forces did receive this medal or its clasp. This includes a frigate called HMSAS Good Hope.
Remember, you could not get the France and Germany Star if you already received the Atlantic Star or the Air Crew Europe Star. If you qualified for more than one, you received the first star you earned. Then, a clasp was added to show you also qualified for another. Since the Air Crew Europe Star was for service before D-Day, only the Atlantic clasp could be added to the France and Germany Star.
What Does the Medal Look Like?
The campaign stars were designed by engravers at the Royal Mint. All the stars are six-pointed and made of a yellow copper zinc alloy. They are about 44 millimeters wide and 50 millimeters tall. A ring at the top allows them to hang from a ribbon.
Front of the Medal
The front of the medal has the Royal Cypher "GRI VI" in the center. This stands for King George VI. A crown sits above the cypher. A circle around the cypher says "THE FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR."
Back of the Medal
The back of the medal is plain.
Naming on the Medal
Most British forces received their World War II campaign medals without names on them. However, medals given to soldiers from India, South Africa, and Australia usually had the recipient's details. This included their service number, rank, initials, and last name.
The Clasp
The clasp is also made of yellow copper zinc alloy. It has a special frame that looks like a postage stamp edge. The clasp says "ATLANTIC." It was designed to be sewn onto the medal's ribbon. If someone wore only the ribbon (without the medal), a small silver rosette was placed on the ribbon bar. This showed they had earned the clasp.
The Ribbon
The ribbon is 32 millimeters wide. It has equal stripes of dark blue, white, red, white, and dark blue. These colors represent the Union Flag (the UK flag) and also the national colors of France and the Netherlands.
King George VI himself designed the ribbons for this medal and most other World War II campaign stars.
How Medals Are Worn
There is a specific order for wearing the World War II campaign stars. This order is based on when each campaign started and how long it lasted. It doesn't matter when a person actually received the medal. The Defence Medal and War Medal are worn after the stars. Other Commonwealth war medals follow these.
Here is the order for some of the main stars:
- The 1939–1945 Star (for the entire war).
- The Atlantic Star (for the Battle of the Atlantic and War in Europe).
- The Arctic Star (for Arctic Convoys).
- The Air Crew Europe Star (for air missions until D-Day).
- The Africa Star (for the North African Campaign).
- The Pacific Star (for the Pacific War).
- The Burma Star (for the Burma Campaign).
- The Italy Star (for the Italian Campaign).
- The France and Germany Star (for the North West Europe Campaign).
- The Defence Medal (for general defense service).
- The War Medal (for the full duration of the war).
So, the France and Germany Star is worn like this:
- It comes after the Italy Star.
- It comes before the Defence Medal.
