Original Item. Only One Available. Italy was among the first and most famous Axis countries to join Germany's cause. Its flamboyant dictator, Benito Mussolini, provided a political example on the seizure of power, which Adolf H followed. With many goals in common, they would become Allies and friends.

Italy entered the War in July of 1940 as the French Campaign was drawing to a close. The Italian Army, though unprepared for war, crossed the border in an attempt to reap the spoils. It would be a long road for the Italian soldier, who fought the length of the war often with courage but almost always with inferior equipment. Along with France came Africa, where Italian interests were severely compromised after a series of British attacks. The legendary Afrika Korps, led by Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, arrived to help in 1941 and wreaked havoc in the desert during the next two years. The Italian Army went on to fight on many fronts, from the Balkans to Russia.

This is a lovely service used example of an Italo-German Campaign Medal in Africa, or a Medaille fur den Italienisch-Deutschen Feldzug in Afrika. The award is in very good condition with a lovely aged patina on the medal, while the ribbon shows age toning and wear from real use. It looks like some type of tape was used to secure the ribbon in the past, which is now missing.

A lovely example with some great period wear, ready for further research and display.