History

During the Second World War, German troops stationed in northern Africa are generally referred to as the Afrikakorps. Technically, this is not entirely correct, since some German units operating in Africa were not actually part of the DAK (Deutsches Afrikakorps), and some units of it were, in fact, Italian ones. However, for the purpose of collecting so-called “tropical” uniforms and insignia, collectors have simplified the meaning of the term.

The first German troops were sent to northern Africa in February of 1941, to support their Italian allies against the British. The climate of the African continent made it necessary to wear specialised uniforms and gear that not only supported the soldiers in serving in a hot and arid environment, but also helped them in blending in with the landscape, which, in general, presented itself as brown, olive, khaki, or sand/tan in colour. Worn over long periods of time under the blistering desert sun, some uniforms were eventually bleached to white or off-white. Uniforms and insignia in these colours are often referred to as “tropical”, and it is worth noting that they weren’t just worn by members of units stationed in Africa, but in the entire Mediterranean theatre of war, including southern France, Italy, the Balkans, and Greece, as well as in southern Russia during the summer months. Tropical uniforms were worn by members of all three branches of the Wehrmacht: the Heer (army), the Kriegsmarine (navy), and the Luftwaffe (air force). Members of the Waffen-SS stationed in southerly regions also wore tropical-style uniforms, and even though they technically have no connection to the DAK, all tropical uniforms and insignia of all branches of the German military are listed here.

Cuff titles could serve several different purposes. They were used as commemorative or traditions insignia, or identifying the wearer as part of an elite unit. They were also used as career/role insignia. Some cuff titles were awarded to soldiers taking part in certain campaigns, making them the equivalent of a campaign medal. These are more accurately known as sleeve bands.

The Wehrmacht 'Afrika' cuff title was introduced on January 15, 1943 and replaced the Afrikakorps cuff title that had been introduced in 1941. It is a tan-coloured band with the silver-grey word “Afrika” framed by a palm tree on each side in the same colour, with a silver-grey top and bottom stripe.

Contrary to the Afrikakorps cuff title, this one was worn on the lower left sleeve rather than the right one.

This cuff title was meant to be worn by eligible personnel with no regards to their organisational affiliation, including Heer, Kriegsmarine, Luftwaffe, and even SS or NSDAP. Consequently, with the introduction of this cuff title, all other organisation-specific versions, including those of Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe, were discontinued.

Higher quality hand-embroidered variants that could be privately purchased exist.