Africa Campaign The first chapter of this section describes the course of events that earned the Afrikakorps a place in history.  In a microcosm of the grander continental war, the dessert conflict had a complement of sweeping offensives, sieges, and stubborn defenses. Africa Institution The cufftitle that distinguished the members of the Wehrmacht that fought in North Africa was created shortly before the capitulation of the forces.  The institution process and presentation criteria are covered in this segment. Africa Description This section contains a thorough description of the ärmelbander, including technical details and standards as well as different variations the collector is likely to encounter.  What is the tolerant threshold for variations?  Read this section to find out.a Africa Documents In accordance with standard regulations, eligible members of the Africakorps received documentation along with their cuffititle.  This portion of the site deals exclusively with the papers that accompanied the award. Wear Regulations The method of wear for insignia and decorations was naturally regulated by the Wehrmacht.  This section illustrates these regulations, and catalogs the exceptions made in actual implementation. Fakes Since the end of the war a variety of fakes have been introduced to the collector's world.  This last section presents the commonly encountered reproductions along with tips to tell them apart from originals. Cufftitles Index

by COL Scott Pritchett

Germany's war in North Africa began on 12 February 1941 with the arrival of Rommel's staff (Aufklärungsstab Rommel) in Tripoli, Libya and ended two years later on 13 May 1943 with the final surrender of Heeresgruppe Afrika in Tunisia.  The intervening twenty-seven months of combat operations, and the almost 300,000 Wehrmacht soldiers who fought the battles and campaigns, chronicle a unique part of warfare in WWII.  The sections below will provide the reader with analysis of the symbol that identified the dessert warriors that fought in the campaign; The AFRIKAKORPS cuffitittle. 

Please see the   Acknowledgement page for bibliography and credits.

All sections created by Scott Pritchett with layout and editing by Sebastian Bianchi

  

Top of Page