Third Reich 5 Place Luftwaffe Afrika Korps Medal Bar

The medal bar is comprised of the 1939 Iron Cross, Second Class; the Eastern Front Campaign Medal; the Armed forces 4 Year Service Medal with Luftwaffe eagle device on the ribbon; the Medal of 1 October 1938 (the “Sudetenland Medal”) with the Prague Castle Bar; and the Italo-German Afrika Campaign Medal, created by the Italian Fascist government for award to German personnel of the Afrika Korps. Following the overthrow of Mussolini and Italy’s withdrawal from the war, the Third Reich prohibited the wear of all Italian awards in orders dated 29th March 1944.  That order included specific reference to the Italo-German Campaign Medal. The Italo-German ribbon is mounted with an Italian RSI collar insignia. The ribbons show soiling and the medals exhibit uncleaned patina, but overall the medal bar is in very good condition, with a full protective backing of field gray wool.