The France and Germany Star was a campaign medal awarded to British and Commonwealth soldiers who served in the Second World War. This article will is divided into the following parts:
- A history of the France and Germany Star
- How a soldier qualified for the France and Germany Star
- Description of the France and Germany Star
- Are there any medal records for the France and Germany Star?
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The France and Germany Star
History of the France and Germany Star
The announcement of the creation of the France and Germany Star along with five other campaign stars and the Defence Medal was made by Buckingham Palace on 17 May 1945:
The King has been graciously pleased, in recognition of the great services of the Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy, to institute six new campaign stars – the Atlantic Star, the Air Crew Europe Star, the Italy Star, the France and Germany Star, the Pacific Star and the Burma Star.
His Majesty has also decided to create a Defence Medal for military non-operational service overseas from the country of residence, and for specified service in the United Kingdom and other territories which have been subjected to air attack or closely threatened.
How a Soldier Qualified for the France and Germany Star
To qualify for a France and Germany Star a soldier had to see operational service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland or Germany between 6 June 1944 (D-Day) and the 8 May 1945. Service in Austria did not count as this qualified a soldier instead for an Italy Star. The Committee on the Grant of Honours and Decorations and Medals published a small booklet outlining the qualification criteria in June 1946, from which the following is taken:
This Star has been instituted for entry into operational service on land from the 6th June, 1944, in France, Belgium, Holland or Germany, until the 8th May, 1945, the date of the end of active hostilities in Europe.
Clasp to the France and Germany Star
The Star is not awarded in addition to the Atlantic Star of the Air Crew Europe Star. If a candidate should qualify for these three Stars or two of them, the Star first earned will be awarded. If the France and Germany Star is awarded under these conditions a Clasp will be awarded for service which would qualify for the Atlantic Star. When the ribbon alone is worn a silver rose Emblem is attached to it to denote the award of this Clasp.
Description of the France and Germany Star
Description: Six-pointed star.
Obverse: Cypher of King George VI surmounted by a crown. Inside a circlet surrounding the cypher are the words THE FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR.
Reverse: Plain for British service personnel.
Metal: Bronze.
Ribbon: A red stripe which is flanked by two white stripes which are themselves flanked by a blue stripe. These colours represent the Union flag and the flags of France and Holland.
Clasps: The only clasp for the medal was ATLANTIC. This was awarded to those who had qualified for the France and Germany Star and subsequently the Atlantic Star.
Are there any medal records for the France and Germany Star?
I have written a separate article explaining what medal records are available and how to confirm a soldier’s medal entitlement: What medal records are available for WW2 British Army Soldiers? There are no separate medal records for the France and Germany Star. Instead, if a soldier qualified for the France and Germany Star it should be recorded on their service record. The extract below was taken from the Military History Sheet of my great-great-uncle, William Thomas Ryder and shows he qualified for the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star and War Medal 1939/45. If the medals were issued, you’ll likely find a soldier’s medal entitlement in this section of their service record. William spent less than three weeks in Normandy before being invalided back to Britain where he died later in the year. His widow claimed his medals and they were issued in June 1948.
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