France & Germany Star 1944-1945:
The medal was awarded for operational service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Germany from 6th June 1944 (D-Day) to 8th May 1945. The qualifying sea area is the North Sea South of a line form the Firth of Forth to Kristiansand (South), in the English Channel and in the Bay of Biscay east of longitude 6° West, provided such service was directly in support of land operations in France, Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany.
British uniform regulations stipulated that neither the Atlantic Star nor the Air Crew Europe Star would be awarded to a recipient of the France and Germany Star. Subsequent entitlement to the Atlantic Star was denoted by the award of the Atlantic clasp. A clasp for the Air Crew Europe Star was not issued as that Star could not be earned after 5th June 1944.
Army personnel who entered Austria may not qualify for this award, as their service is recognised by the grant of the Italy Star.
The France and Germany Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy, with a height of 44mm and a maximum width of 38mm. The obverse has a central design of the Royal Cipher of King George VI, surmounted by a crown. The cipher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The France and Germany Star'. The reverse is plain, although Stars issued to Australian and South African personnel have recipient names engraved.The ribbon for this medal, along with those of the other Second World War campaign stars, is reputed to have been designed by King George VI. Red, white, and blue were chosen as being symbolic of the national colours of France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The medal is valued at between £18 - £20. The value increases by £60 if the Atlantic clasp is present.
When the ribbon is worn alone a silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp.
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