Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII DAK Afrikakorps cuff title of machine woven construction, measuring approximately 1 5/16" wide by 11 1/2" long. It features a dark green cotton center field with the word AFRIKAKORPS worked in bright silver colored aluminum flat wire, bordered by diagonally ribbed silver colored edge trim and narrow tan rayon bands along the upper and lower edges.

The center inscription reads:

AFRIKAKORPS

This pattern is associated with German forces serving in North Africa and was used during the 1941 to mid-1943 period.

The dark green center field is woven from cotton and carries the block Latin-script inscription in bright silver colored aluminum flat wire. The upper and lower edges are finished with narrow tan rayon borders, while the outer trim has a diagonally ribbed appearance.

Both ends have been folded beneath, consistent with preparation for mounting, wear, or later display.

The cuff title shows wear and fraying consistent with age and possible uniform use. Marks along the edges may be stitch holes, and the ends also show indications that they may once have been sewn in place.

Minor staining and discoloration are present throughout. Areas of the aluminum surface coating have worn from the lettering and edge trim, exposing the underlying thread and producing a more subdued aged appearance.

Because the edge marks and folded ends suggest possible prior attachment, this example should be described as likely uniform removed rather than unissued. No individual wearer or unit provenance accompanies it.

With its desirable AFRIKAKORPS inscription, period machine woven construction, dark green field, tan rayon borders, silver colored flat wire lettering, and convincing age and wear, this is an appealing example of German tropical campaign insignia. The fraying, staining, discoloration, finish loss, folded ends, and possible stitch holes are fully disclosed. It would display particularly well in a DAK, North Africa campaign, German tropical uniform, cuff title, or advanced WWII cloth insignia collection.

The “Afrikakorps” cuff title became an official award from the 18th July 1941 (Prior to this date the various locally made black unofficial Afrikakorps cuff titles had been worn by some German soldiers from all branches of the Wehrmacht) Criteria for the award was a minimum of two months service in North Africa, before the award could be worn on the tropical blouse, or woolen greatcoat. However, many German soldiers decided to keep their titles as souvenirs and many of these titles were taken from German POW’s by allied soldiers throughout the Desert Campaign and in Tunisia.

The "Afrikakorps" cuff title was to be worn approximately 15cm from the bottom of the lower right sleeve on the tropical field blouse and the woolen tropical greatcoat. The wearing of the cuff title was permitted when wearing the field-grey tunic on leave in Europe, and on the tropical uniform in the summer months when on leave in Europe.

With the introduction of the "Afrika" campaign title on January 15th 1943 the “Afrikakorps” cuff title was ordered to be removed, but this order was probably ignored in the front line by some soldiers, as the official Afrika title was slow to be awarded and it is doubtful that any actual titles made it to Tunisia before the surrender in May 1943.