WW2 GERMAN ORIGINAL "AFRIKA" CUFF TITLE-SOLD
Background
The Africa Cuff Title, or Africa Cuff Band, ( Ärmelband Afrika) was a WW2 military decoration awarded to members of the Wermacht who took part in the North Africa of 1941–43.
In February 1941, the German Africa Corps (DAK) was formed to support Italian forces in the North African against British and Commonwealth forces. Under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the DAK, supported by Luftwaffe and Naval units, occupied large parts of Libya and Egypt until finally defeated at El Alamein in October 1942. Forced to retreat, and faced with allied landings in Morrocco and Algeria, DAK forces either evacuated North Africa or surrendered, with the last German units in Africa capitulating on 13 May 1943.
In July 1941 a dark-green cuff title with a white and khaki border inscribed AFRIKAKORPS was authorised, to be worn on the right cuff by members of the DAK who had served a minimum of two months in Africa. This was a corps designation badge, not a campaign award, and personnel who permanently transferred out of the North African theatre no longer had the right to wear it. The Luftwaffe later introduced a cuff title of a different design for airmen based in North Africa. As with the Army, this was not intended for wear by those no longer posted to North Africa. There was also a Navy version, that may have been a privately made unofficial item.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
This cuff title has is made of a light brown felt material with the words AFRIKA flanked by palm trees embroidered onto it, the palm trees are very detailed compared to other versions I have seen. The cuff title is bordered with two double stitched borders. This cuff title has seen combat use and has been taken off a uniform.