WWII German-Italian African Campaign Medal – Italienisch-Deutsche Erinnerungsmedaille Afrika – Lorioli Milano
Original WWII Italienisch-Deutsche Erinnerungsmedaille für den Feldzug in Afrika (German-Italian African Campaign Medal), commonly referred to by collectors as the Afrika Medal.
The medal retains its original ribbon and is maker marked: Lorioli, Milano
to the reverse, identifying the well-known Italian manufacturer responsible for producing these campaign awards during the war.
The obverse features the memorial arch flanked by fasces and swastika symbolism with surrounding inscription commemorating the German-Italian campaign in North Africa. The reverse depicts German and Italian soldiers in combat against a British tank, one of the most recognizable wartime medal designs associated with the North African campaign.
Instituted in 1942 by the Kingdom of Italy, the medal was awarded to German and Italian personnel who served in the North African theatre alongside the Deutsch-Italienische Panzerarmee and associated Axis forces under difficult desert combat conditions.
The medal displays attractive untouched age patina throughout with honest wartime wear and age. Ribbon remains attached and shows period use and storage wear consistent with age.
A very desirable original Axis campaign award connected to the North African campaign and the fighting of the Afrika Korps.
Condition exactly as shown in the photographs.
€130,00
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Historical Description
The Italienisch-Deutsche Erinnerungsmedaille für den Feldzug in Afrika was instituted by the Kingdom of Italy in 1942 to commemorate the joint German-Italian campaign in North Africa during the Second World War. The award recognized the service and sacrifices of Axis soldiers who fought in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, and the surrounding desert regions against British and Commonwealth forces.
German recipients largely served within the famous: Deutsches Afrika Korps (DAK) and later formations such as the Panzerarmee Afrika, operating under extremely harsh desert conditions characterized by intense heat, sandstorms, supply shortages, and mobile armored warfare.
The design of the medal symbolized the alliance between Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, combining imagery from both nations. The reverse combat scene depicting Axis soldiers attacking a British tank became one of the most iconic artistic representations associated with the North African campaign.
This example was manufactured by: Lorioli, Milano one of the principal Italian wartime medal manufacturers, whose markings are frequently encountered on authentic surviving examples.
An excellent historical piece directly connected to the desert war and Axis operations in North Africa.
