Hello All. I wonder if anyone can help with a query. I read an article today that stated that 'Bomber Command was the only unit of the British war machine from 1939 to 1945 that did not receive a campaign medal.' I thought that they did in the form of the Aircrew Europe Star?? Thanks, Jonathan
Jonathan, you correct on both counts - Bomber Command did not receive a campaign medal, and yes members of Bomber Command were eligible for the Aircrew Europe Star. But there is no recognition of their seperate activities. However, it is recognised that the activities of Bomber Command was an actual seperate campaign by historians from the end of the war onwards. Therefore, most people believe that a seperate recognition of this branch's activities should have been issued. Those who took part in the BoB received the Battle of Britain Clasp, and those engaged in operations in different theatres received their seperate Stars: 1939-1945 Star - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Atlantic Star - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Air Crew Europe Star - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Africa Star - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Pacific Star - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Burma Star - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Italy Star - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia France and Germany Star - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Defence Medal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia War Medal 1939–1945 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It's curious as to how some awards are given. My father participated in Bomber Command raids on Italy flying from the U.K. but did not get the Italy Star as ...... "Qualification involved participation in aircrew service within the Mediterranean theatre, including sorties from the Mediterranean area over Europe. " Similarly he did not receive the France and Germany Star although he flew 2 tours of operations. He was shot down September of '43 and as the requirements are ........ "The medal was awarded for operational service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Germany from 6 June 1944 (D-Day) to 8 May 1945. The qualifying sea area is the North Sea South of a line form the Firth of Forth to Kristiansand (South), in the English Channel and in the Bay of Biscay east of longitude 6° West, provided such service was directly in support of land operations in France, Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany." His time as a P.O.W. was not considered "operational service." I have always felt in both of these cases that its a bit of a swizz. On a similar theme. We have all heard about someone getting an "Immediate" award. Who was able to make the decision to bestow an "Immediate" on an individual?
