CAMPAIGN STARS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 117, 19 May 1945, Page 5

CAMPAIGN STARS

ISSUE OF RIBBONS

Churchill Answers Queries In

Commons

N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 10 a.m. LONDON, May 18. The six new campaign stars instituted by the King as announced yesterday would commemorate the feats of endurance and courage of the armed forces and Merchant Navy in the main theatres of war, said Mr. Churchill in the House of Commons. Two of the new stars for operations in the East would also mark the services of those, who had gone out and who would be going out in the future to finish the war against Japan.

Mr. Churchill announced that the currency of the 1939-43 Star had been extended to, this month and would become the 1939-45 Star. His Majesty had approved of the awards of this star and the Africa Star to the same individual, hitherto only one or other could be worn. The maximum number of stars that could be granted to one recipient would be five.

The Prime Minister said that the gilt rose emblem to be worn with the 1939-45 Star would be awarded to aircrews of fighter aircraft engaged in the Battle of Britain. The ribbons of all stars would be issued immediately, although he could not promise the dates when the actual stars would be struck.

"Seven million people will get the new defence medal which is being struck," Mr. Churchill said. It recognises the service here of forces from the Dominions who stood by us in our time of grievous need. It is also awarded, subject to a threeyear qualification, to those citizens of this country, who, during the vears of danger served m the Home Guard, National Fire Service, Police and Civil Defence. The medal recognises their struggle against the enemy's air ana bomb attacks. Mr. Churchill said he would consider whether the Battle of France, 1940, would, entitle trie wearer of the 1939-45 Star to wear a silver rose, the same as tne Battle of Britain aircrews. Asked whether there would be a general service and Allied ribbon in addition to all the medals and stars announced, Mr. Churchill said: We must not get our firmament too full. The limit'of the human breast also introduces precautionary ideas, but I think there will oe a United Nations medal at the end of the war."

A message published in last night s Star stated:—A Buckingham Palace. announcement states that His Majesty, tion of the great services of the aimed, forces and the Merchant Navy, has. instituted six new campaign stais—an Atlantic Star, an Aircrew in Europe Star, an Italy Star a France and Germany Star, a Pacific Star' and a Burma Star. His Majesty has also decided to create a defence medal for military non-operational service overseas and for specified service in the United Kingdom and in other territories subjected to air attack or closely threatened.