Aircrew Europe Star

Eligibility

The Air Crew Europe Star was awarded for operational flying from bases in the United Kingdom over Europe from the outbreak of the Second World War on 3 Sep 1939 to 5 Jun 1944, the day before the D-Day Normandy Invasion, both dates inclusive. For air crew of the Royal Air Force, two months of operational flying was required in order to qualify for the award of the Air Crew Europe Star. From D-Day on 6 Jun 1944, operational flying over Europe qualified air crew for the award of the France and Germany Star.

Since only the first of the Atlantic Star, Air Crew Europe Star or France and Germany Star to be earned could be awarded to any one individual, the possible Star and Clasp combinations for these three campaign stars are:

• The Atlantic Star with either the Air Crew Europe or France and Germany clasp.
• The Air Crew Europe Star with either the France and Germany or Atlantic clasp.
• The France and Germany Star with the Atlantic clasp.

Description

One of the first two medals instituted during WW2 (the other being the 1939-45 Star). It is a military campaign medal, instituted by the UK in May 1945 for award to British and Commonwealth air crews who participated in operational flights over Europe from bases in the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Two clasps were instituted to be worn on the medal ribbon: Atlantic and France and Germany. It was not awarded to supporting ground personnel.

Entitled

• Roy Joseph Austen-Smith
• † Raymond Edward Norton Butcher
• Billy Kendall Collins POW
• Thomas Douglas (Dougie) Ellis
• Phillip Herbert Martin DFC & Bar
• † William James (Jim) Morcombe
• † Ernest Ronald William Oliver
• † Greer Winton Ottaway
• † Leslie John (Jock) Powell DFC

Notes

Content for the history and honours sections has come from a combination of Wikipedia and the Australian War Memorial websites.