- Time Period: Second World War
- Institution: 30 January 1947
- Country: Belgium
The 1940–1945 African War Medal (Médaille de la Guerre Africaine 1940-1945 / Afrikaanse Oorlogsmedaille 1940-1945) is a Belgian war service medal established on 30 January 1947 by royal decree of the Regent and awarded to officers and soldiers for at least one year’s service in the Force Publique between 10 May 1940 and 7 May 1945.
Those eligible for the award of both the 1940–1945 Colonial War Effort Medal and the 1940–1945 African War Medal could only receive one of the two, usually the one earned for the longest service.
The service was not limited to the Belgian colonies of the Congo and Ruanda-Urundi. The following four clasps were issued for wear on the ribbon inscribed in French:
- NIGERIE (for six months service in Nigeria)
- MOYEN-ORIENT (for six months service in the Middle East)
- MADAGASCAR (for six months service in Madagascar)
- BIRMANIE (for six months service in Burma)
The 1940-1945 African War Medal Design
The medal measures 52mm high (including the suspension) by 33mm wide and is rectangular and struck from bronze. It has sloped upper shoulders and rounded lower corners.
The obverse bears the relief images of the left profiles of a native African soldier wearing a fez and of a pith-helmeted Belgian soldier, both within a recessed central area. Under the recess, the embossed years “1940 – 1945”. The reverse is plain.
