This Clasp was awarded for service with the 8th Army between 23 Oct 1942
and 12 May 1943. This award is controversial because Eighth Army was
created in October of 1941 and fought in Africa for a year before the award
service requirement. The award dates from the start of the El Alamein
battle that ultimately led to the German eviction from Africa. Reportedly
General Bernard Montgomery refused to allow Eighth Army soldiers who
fought under his predecessor, General Auchinleck, and even his first few
months of service starting in August of 1942 to wear the award. This bar
can only be worn on the WWII Africa star. On the ribbon bar this may be
represented by a silver number 8 numeral.