The France and Germany Star is a prestigious British military medal that recognises the valour and dedication of individuals who played a crucial role in liberating France and invading Germany in World War II. Read more..
The France and Germany Star is a British military campaign medal established in 1945 to recognize the service of British and Commonwealth personnel who participated in the liberation of France and the invasion of Germany during World War II. The medal honors those who served in the North West Europe campaign, including operations in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, between 6 June 1944 and 8 May 1945.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the France and Germany Star, personnel must have served in the designated operational areas in North West Europe between 6 June 1944 and 8 May 1945. The medal could be awarded to members of the British Armed Forces, as well as the Merchant Navy and other civilian personnel who served in support of the military. The minimum service requirement for the France and Germany Star is one day of operational service in the qualifying area.
Clasps
The France and Germany Star could also be issued with the "Atlantic" clasp. The clasp is worn on the ribbon with the medal, and represented by a silver rosette on the ribbon bar.
Design
The France and Germany Star is designed as a six-pointed star made of yellow copper-zinc alloy. The obverse of the medal features the royal cypher of King George VI, surrounded by a circlet with the words ""THE FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR"". The reverse of the medal is plain, traditionally engraved with the recipient's name and service number.
Ribbon
The ribbon of the France and Germany Star features equal stripes of blue, white, red, white, and blue. The colours represent the Union Flag, France, and the Netherlands.
The France and Germany Star is a symbol of the service and dedication of British and Commonwealth personnel who participated in the North West Europe campaign during World War II. It is a testament to their bravery and commitment in the pursuit of peace and stability in a challenging and complex conflict and serves as a reminder of their role in the liberation of France and the invasion of Germany.
If you order your medal unmounted, the medal and ribbon will be supplied as separate components. Miniature medals will be supplied with 15cm of ribbon and full size medals will be supplied with 30cm of ribbon.
The court mounting of medals involves securing medals to a stiff backing board, along with the placement of a brooch fitting on the board. This ensures that the medals remain firmly in place and do not shift or move about while being worn.
It is mandatory for active members of the Australian Defence Force to have their medals court mounted, as it is considered the appropriate method of presenting military honours in a professional and respectful manner. By doing so, the medals are given proper recognition and are displayed in a neat and organized fashion.The swing mounting of medals refers to the attachment of a medal to a ribbon that is allowed to hang freely from a brooch, which in turn is affixed to a uniform or clothing. This mounting style was commonly used for medals from the Boer War up to and including World War II, although there are no fixed guidelines or regulations regarding its use.
Miniature Court Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
Miniature Swing Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
A ribbon bar is a small, rectangular display of ribbons worn on military uniforms to represent various honours and awards earned by the wearer. These ribbons are arranged in a specific order and are attached to a backing, which is then attached to the uniform. Ribbon bars are a compact and convenient way for military personnel to display their achievements and are often used in situations where a full-sized medal or award would be impractical.
