History
The France and Germany Star, instituted in May 1945, was awarded for operational service in the North-West Europe campaign between 6 June 1944, D-Day, and 8 May 1945: the liberation of France, Belgium and the Netherlands and the final advance into Germany, on land, at sea in the Channel and North Sea, and in the air in support. Qualification followed prior award of the 1939-1945 Star.
It could not be held together with the Atlantic Star or the Air Crew Europe Star; a recipient who also qualified for one of those wore the first earned and a clasp for the second, so a France and Germany Star is sometimes seen with an Atlantic clasp. Australians of the air and naval forces took part in the campaign, and Australian aircrew of Bomber Command who flew after D-Day qualified for this star rather than the earlier Air Crew Europe Star. As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The Star is a six-pointed star of yellow copper-zinc alloy fitting within a 44 millimetre circle, ensigned with a crown carrying a ring for suspension, its obverse bearing the royal cypher GRI VI within a circlet inscribed THE FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR. The reverse is plain; Australian issues, unlike most Commonwealth stars, were impressed on the reverse with the recipient's number, initials and surname after a campaign by veterans' organisations.
The ribbon
Blue, white, red, white and blue, the allied colours.
The ribbon has five equal stripes of blue, white, red, white and blue, the colours common to the flags of the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands.
Clasps
The France and Germany Star was associated by clasp with two other campaign stars, only one clasp worn on the ribbon.
Atlantic
Worn by recipients of the France and Germany Star who also qualified for the Atlantic Star. Only one clasp is worn on the star, shown by a silver rosette when the ribbon alone is worn.
Eligibility
The Star was awarded for operational service in North-West Europe between 6 June 1944 and 8 May 1945.
- Service on land, at sea in the Channel and North Sea, or in the air over the campaign qualified, after prior qualification for the 1939-1945 Star;
- It could not be held with the Atlantic Star or the Air Crew Europe Star; a subsequent entitlement to either was represented by a clasp on the ribbon of the star earned first, with only one clasp worn;
- As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Order of wear
No more than five of the Second World War campaign stars could be awarded to one person, six including the later Arctic Star; those who qualified for more wore a clasp on the ribbon of a star they held, naming a further star, with only one clasp worn on any star.
Frequently asked questions
What is the France and Germany Star awarded for?
Operational service in the North-West Europe campaign between 6 June 1944 and 8 May 1945, after prior qualification for the 1939-1945 Star.
What did the campaign cover?
The Normandy landings, the liberation of France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and the final advance into Germany, on land, at sea and in the air.
Why might it carry a clasp?
The France and Germany, Atlantic and Air Crew Europe Stars were mutually exclusive: a recipient who qualified for a second wore it as a clasp on the ribbon of the first earned.
How does it relate to the Air Crew Europe Star?
European flying up to 5 June 1944 earned the Air Crew Europe Star; flying from D-Day onward earned this star instead.
Is it named to the recipient?
Australian issues are impressed on the reverse with the recipient's details, unlike most Commonwealth stars.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No; it is a campaign star and carries no post-nominal.