Terms:
Two months operational flying was required between 3 September 1939
and 5 June 1944 in order to qualify.
From 6 June 1944 D-Day,
operational flying over Europe qualified aircrew for the
France and Germany Star.
The 1939-1945 Star must have been earned before commencing qualifying
service for the Air Crew Europe Star.
From 6 June 1944 D-Day,
operational flying over Europe qualified aircrew for the
France and Germany Star.
British uniform regulations stipulated that neither the Atlantic Star nor the
France and Germany Star
would be awarded to a recipient
of the Air
Crew Europe Star.
Subsequent entitlement to the Atlantic Star
or the France and
Germany Star
was denoted by the award of the appropriate
clasp to the
Air Crew Europe Star.
Medal:
The Air Crew Europe Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc
alloy, with a height of 44mm and
a maximum width of 38mm.
Obverse:
Has a central design of the
Royal Cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a
circlet
containing the words ‘The 1939–1945 Star
Reverse:
The reverse is plain, with the recipient's name impressed only
for Australians and South Africans.
Bars:
If later entitled to a second or third star, its bar would be worn:
ATLANTIC or FRANCE AND GERMANY laurelled bar)
Mounting:
A plain, straight, non-swivelling suspender with a single-toe claw.
Ribbon:
A wide central stripe of light blue, flanked at the
edges by narrow stripes of yellow and black
to symbolise the continuous service
of the Air Force by night and day.
The sky is represented by pale blue, night flying by the black stripes
on the edges, with the yellow stripes
representing enemy searchlights.
Awarded to:
The Air Crew Europe Star was earned almost exclusively by
personnel and can only be awarded
after the 1939 to 1945 Star has been qualified for.
Aircrew Europe Star was awarded for 60 additional days
service in a Unit engaged in
operational flying over Europe from bases in the UK
with at least one operational sortie.
After 5 Jun 44, operational flying over Europe qualified aircrew
for the France and Germany Star.
Please note that the above is only a summary
outline of the conditions that apply to this medal.
Additional information and a list of qualifying areas of service are available from
the Honours and Awards Section,
Veterans Affairs Canada, Ottawa, Ontario,
K1A 0P4.
©Crown Copyright/MOD 2008