Text File

THE GERMAN SURRENDER DOCUMENTS - WWII:

Instrument of Surrender of All German armed forces in HOLLAND, in northwest Germany including all islands, and in DENMARK.

1. The German Command agrees to the surrender of all armed forces in HOLLAND, in northwest GERMANY including the FRISLIAN ISLANDS and HELIGOLAND and all islands, in SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, and in DENMARK, to the C.-in-C. 21 Army Group.

=This to include all naval ships in these areas=

These forces to lay down their arms and to surrender unconditionally.

2. All hostilities on land, on sea, or in the air by German forces in the above areas to cease at 0800 hrs. British Double Summer Time on Saturday 5 May 1945.

3. The German command to carry out at once, and without argument or comment, all further orders that will be issued by the Allied Powers on any subject.

4. Disobedience of orders, or failure to comply with them, will be regarded as a breach of these surrender terms and will be dealt with by the Allied Powers in accordance with the laws and usages of war.

5. This insturment of surrender is independent of, without pre- judice to, and will be superseded by any general instrument of surrender imposed by or on behalf of the Allied Powers and applicable to Germany and the German armed forces as a whole.

6. This instument of surrender is written in English and in German.

The English version is the authentic text.

7. The decision of the Allied Powers will be final if any doubt or dispute arise as to the meaning or intrepretation of the surrender terms.

=HANS GEORG von FRIEDBERG=

=KINZEL=

=G. WAGNER= =B. L. MONTGOMERY= =Field - Marshal= =POLECK=

=FRIEDEL= =4 May 1945=

=1830 hrs.= ---------------------------------------

{Reichspresident Donitz's authorization to Colonel General Jodl} {to conclude a general surrender:}

Hauptquartier, den 6. Mai 1945

Ich bevollmachtige Generaloberst J o d l ,

Chef des Wehrmachtfuhrungsstabes in Oberkommando

der Wehrmact, zum Abschluss eines Waffenstill-

standsbkommens mit dem Hauptquartier des Generals

E i s e n h o w e r .

[ SEAL ] =DONITZ=

GroBadmiral. ---------------------------------------

Only this text in English is authoritative

ACT OF MILITARY SURRENDER

1. We the undersigned, acting by authority

of the German High Command, hereby surrender

unconditionally to the Supreme Commander, Allied

Expeditionary Forces and simultaneously to the

Soviet High Command all forces on land, sea and in

the air who are at this date under German control.

2. The German High Command will at once

issue orders to all German military, naval and

air authorties and to all forces under German

control to cease active operations at =2301= hours

Central European time on = 8 May = and to

remain in the positions occupied at that time. No

ship, vessel, or aircraft is to be scuttled, or any

damage done to their hull, machinery or equipment.

3. The German High Command will at once

issue to the appropriate commander, and ensure

the carrying out of any further orders issued by

the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force

and by the Soviet High Command.

4. This act of military surrender is without

prejudice to, and will be superseded by any

general instrument of surrender imposed by, or

on behalf of the United Nations and applicable

to GERMANY and the German armed forces as a whole.

5. In the event of the German High Command

or any of the forces under their control failing

to act in accordance with this Act of Surrender,

the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force

and the Soviet High Command will take such punitive

or other action as they deem appropriate.

Signed at =RHEIMS at 0241= on the =7th= day of May, 1945. =France=

On behalf of the German High Command.

=JODL=

IN THE PRESENCE OF

On behalf of the Supreme Commander, On behalf of the Soviet Allied Expeditionary Force. High Command

=W. B. SMITH= =SOUSLOPAROV=

=F SEVEZ= Major General, French Army (Witness) ---------------------------------------

SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

SERIAL 1

ORDERS BY THE SUPREME COMMANDER,

ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE RELATING TO

ARMY AND AIR FORCES UNDER GERMAN CONTROL

1. Local commanders of the Army and Air Force

under German control on the Western Front, in

NORWAY and in the CHANNEL ISLANDS will hold themselves

in readiness to receive detailed orders for the

surrender of their forces from the Supreme Commander's

subordinate commanders opposite their front.

2. In the case of NORWAY the Supreme

Commander's representatives will be the General

Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Scottish Command and

Air Officer Commanding 13 Group RAF.

3. In the case of the CHANNEL ISLANDS the

Supreme Commander's representatives will be the

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern

Command and Air Officer Commanding 10 Group RAF.

=WALTER B SMITH= Signed.................... For the Supreme Commander, RAF

Dated =0241 7th= May, 1945 =Rheims France=

---------------------------------------

SPECIAL ORDERS BY THE SUPREME COMMANDER, ALLIED

EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO THE GERMAN HIGH COMMAND

RELATING TO NAVAL FORCES

For the purpose of these orders the term "Allied Representatives" shall be deemed to include the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, and any subordinate commander, staff officer or agent acting pursuant to his orders.

SPECIAL ORDERS BY THE SUPREME COMMANDER, ALLIED

EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO THE GERMAN HIGH COMMAND

RELATING TO NAVAL FORCES

PART I GENERAL

Definition of Naval Forces

1. For the purpose of these orders all formations,

units, and personnel of the German Navy together with the

Marine Kusten Polizie shall be refered to as the German

Naval Forces.

2. Members of the Marine Kusten Polizie will

immediately be placed under the command of the appropriate

German Naval Commanders who will be responsible for their

maintenance and supply where applicable, to the same

extent and degree as for units of the German Navy.

German Naval Representatives and information required

immediately

3. The German High Command will dispatch within

48 hours after the surrender becomes effective, a res-

ponsible Flag Officer to the Allied Naval Commander,

Expeditionary Force at his headquarters. This

Flag Officer will furnish the Allied Naval Commander,

Expeditionary Force, with:-

a. Corrected copies of charts showing all

minefields in Western Europe waters, including the

BALTIC as far as LUBECK (inclusive) which have been laid

by German and German-controlled vessels or aircraft,

positions of all wrecks, booms and other underwater

obstructions in this area, details of the German convoy

routes and searched channels and of all bouys, lights

and other navigational aids in this area. The appropriate

navigational publications are also required.

b. Details of the exact location of all

departments and branches of the German Admiralty (OKM).

c. All available information concerning

the numbers and types of German minesweepers and sperr-

brechers in German controlled Dutch ports and German

NORTH SEA ports that can be obtained without delaying

his departure. This German Flag Officer is to be

accompanied by a Communications Officer who is familiar

with the German Naval W/T organization and who is to

bring with him the current naval communications Orders,

including allocation of frequencies, list of W/T and

R/T call signs in force, and a list of all codes and

cyphers in use, and intended to be brought into use.

d. Location of all surface warships down

to and including "Elbing" class Torpedo Boats, and of

all submarines and "E" Boats.

4. The German High Command will also dispatch

within 48 hours after the surrender becomes effective

a responsibile officer, not below the rank of Captain,

by coastal craft to report to the Admiral Commanding

at DOVER for onward routing to Commander-in-Chief,

THE NORE, with:-

a. Corrected copies of charts showing all

minefields in the NORTH SEA SOUTH of 54 30' NORTH and

EAST of 1 30' EAST laid by German and German-controlled

vessels or aircraft, positions of all wrecks, booms and

all other underwater obstructions; details of all

German Convoy routes and searched channels in this area,

and of all bouys, lights and other navigational aids

which are under German control. Appropriate naviga-

tional publications are also required.

b. All available information concerning

the numbers and types of German minesweepers and

sperrbrechers in German contolled Dutch ports and

German NORTH SEA ports that can be obtained without

delaying his departure.

5. Another responsible German Naval Officer,

with similar information is to be dispatched by un-

escorted aircraft painted white to MANSTON Areodrome

position 51 20' NORTH, 1 20' EAST for onward routing

to Commander-in-Chief, THE NORE.

6. The German High Command will issue instruc-

tions to certain German naval commands as indicated

below:-

a. The Naval Commander-in-Chief, NORTH

SEA will dispatch by coastal craft within 48 hours

after the surrender becomes effective a responsible

officer, not below the rank of Captain, to the

Admiral Commanding at DOVER for onward routing to

Commander-in-Chief, THE NORE, with:-

(1) details of minesweeping operations

carried out in the German convoy route

between the HOOK OF HOLLAND and

HAMBURG and in approaches to harbours

between these two ports during the

previous 60 days;

(2) numbers and postions of all

British mines swept during these

operations;

(3) details of all controlled mine-

fields in this area and information

whether they have been rendered

ineffective;

(4) details of all other mining and

types of mines employed in the harbours

and harbour approaches of CUXHAVEN,

EMDEN, TERSCHELLING, TEXEL, IJMUIDEN,

AMSTERDAM, SCHEVENINGEN, HOOK OF

HOLLAND and ROTTERDAM;

(5) berthing facilities in the harbours

enumerated in paragraph (6a). (4) above

and the numbers of auxiliary minesweepers

which can be accomodated;

(6) a list of all W/T and R/T call signs

in use by the German Navy.

Any of the above information which cannot be obtained without

delaying the departure of this officer will be forwarded

subsequently as soon as it is available.

b. The Naval Commander-in-Chief, NORTH SEA, will

also dispatch as soon as possible by coastal craft to DOVER

thirteen German Naval Officers who must be familiar with the

German swept channels between the HOOK OF HOLLAND and

CUXHAVEN. These officers will bring with them all the charts

and books required for naviagation in this area and will be

accompanied by pilots (and interpreters if necessary).

c. The Naval Commander-in-Chief, NORWAY, will

dispatch by sea within 48 hours after the surrender becomes

effective, a responsible officer, not below the rank of

Captain to the Commander-in-Chief, ROSYTH, with corrected copies

of charts showing all German minefields in the NORTH SEA, NORTH

of 56 NORTH, all wrecks, booms and other underwater

obstructions, details of German convoy routes and searched

channels in this area, of the approach channels to the principal

Norwegian ports and of all bouys, lights and other navigational

aids in this area. This officer will also bring with him the

disposition of all "U" Boats and details of all orders affecting

their future movements. He will be accompanied by six German

Naval Officers with pilots (and interpreters if necessary) who

are familiar with the coastal swept channels between OSLO and

TROMSO. These officers will bring with them all the charts

and books required for navigation in Norwegian waters, and a

list of all W/T and R/T call signs in use by the German Navy.

d. The Naval Commander-in-Chief, NORWAY, will

dispatch a duplicate party to the above with similar informa-

tion by an unescorted aircraft painted white to DREM Airfield

56 02' NORTH 02 48' WEST.

e. The Naval Commander-in-Chief, NORWAY, will

report by W/T to the Commander-in-Chief, ROSYTH, within 48 hours

after the surrender becomes effective, the following information:-

(1) Berthing facilities at OSLO,

CHRISTIANSAND, STAVANGER, BERGEN, TRONDHEIM,

NARVIK, and TROMSO.

(2) The appropriate quantities of furnace

oil fuel, diesel oil fuel, and coal at all the

principal Norwegian ports between OSLO and

TROMSO.

7. The German Admiral SKGGERAK will dispatch by sea

within 48 hours after the surrender becomes effective, a

responsible officer not below the rank of Captain, to the

Commander-in-Chief, ROSYTH, with corrected copies of charts

showing all German minefields, wrecks, booms, and other underwater

obstructions, details of German convoy routes and searched

channels, bouys, lights and other navigational aids in the

SKAGGERAK, KATTEGAT, THE BEITS AND SOUND, KIEL

BAY and BALTIC WATERS WEST of 14 EAST. This

officer will also bring with him the disposition

of all "U" boats in the above area and details

of all orders affecting their future move-

ments. He will be accompanied by three German Naval

officers with pilots (and interpreters if necessary)

who are familiar with the coastal swept channels, and

channels in the Swedish territorial waters, in the waters

referred to above. These officers will bring with

them all the charts and books required for navigation

in these waters, and a list of all W/T and R/T call

signs in use by the German Navy.

The German Admiral SKAGGERAK will dispatch

a duplicate party to that specified above, with similar

information, by air in unescorted aircraft painted

white to DREM Airfield 56 02' NORTH 02 48' WEST.

8. The German Naval Officers who will be dis-

patched to DOVER and ROSYTH by sea will proceed to

positions in latitude 51 19' NORTH longitude 1 43' EAST

and latitude 56 47' NORTH longitude 1 13' WEST respectively,

where they will be met by British warships and escorted

to their destination. The ships or craft in which they

travel are to fly a large white flag at the masthead by

day and are to illuminate these white flags by night.

These ships are to broadcast their positions hourly by

W/T on 500 ks. (600 meters) whilst on passage.

Information required within fourteen days

9. The German High Command will furnish the

following information to the Allied Naval Commander,

Expeditionary Force, at by

within fourteen days of cessation of hostilities.

a. Locations of all warships, auxiliaries and armed

coastal craft operating under the orders of the German Naval

Command stating particulars of the operational unit to which they

are attached, giving approximate totals of all naval personal

embarked in each vessel, (including naval flak and merchant ship

flak).

b. A statement of the organizations of all naval

shore Commands, giving location of all naval establishments,

including establishments for experiment and research, names of

all Commanding Officers and Principal Staff Officers of the rank

of Commander in each establishment.

c. A statement of the strength and location of all

naval land forces including naval infrantry, naval flak, merchant

ship flak and naval personnel manning naval coast artillery and

full particulars of all Coastal and port defenses giving nature

and locations.

d. Lists of stocks of furnace oil fuels, diesel oil

fuel, petrol, and coal of 500 tons or more at, or in the vicinity

of, all ports between IJMUIDEN and HAMBURG inclusive.

e. A statement of location of the principal naval

armament depots with approximate overall stocks of each major

item held.

f. The following communications information:-

(1) location and details concerning all

V/S, W/T (including D/F) and radar

stations in use by, and under constuc-

tion for the German Navy, these details

to include types and capabilities of all

equipment fitted.

(2) details of the current naval W/T

organization, lists of W/T and R/T call

signs in force, and allocation of all

frequencies for communication and radar

purposes.

(3) location and details of all naval

communications (including Infra-Red)

and naval radar training and research

establishments.

g. Full details of all German minefields in

the NORTH SEA, SKAGGERAK, KATTEGAT, BEITS, and SOUND.

h. Full details of the German naval minesweeping

organization including the communications organization.

j. Full details of the communications (including

Infra-Red) and radar equipment fitted in all German minesweepers

and sperrbrechers.

k. Technical details of all types of minesweeping

gear used by the German Navy.

l. Details of all mining and types of mines employed

and of berthing facilities available for ships of 150 feet in

length and 16 feet draught at:-

BREMERHAVEN

WILHELMSHAVEN

SCHIERMONNIKOOG

DELFZIJL

10. The German High Command will also furnish the Allied

Naval Commander, Expeditionary Force, with two copies of all

coding and cyphering systems which have been, are being, or were

to be used by the German Navy with the necessary instructions for

their use and the dates between which they have been, or were to

have been used.

PART II - CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT

Orders to warships, auxiliaries, merchant ships and other craft

11. The German High Command will forthwith direct all

German and German-controlled warships, auxiliaries,

merchant ships and other craft to comply with the following

instructions:-

a. All warships, auxiliaries, merchant ships and

other craft in harbours are to remain in harbour pending

further directions from the Allied Representatives.

b. All warships, auxiliaries, merchant ships

and other craft at sea are to report their positions in plain

language immediately to the nearest British, US or Soviet Coast

Wireless Telegraphy station on 500 kc/s (600 metres), and are to

proceed to the nearest German or Allied port or such ports as

the Allied Representatives may direct, and remain there pending

further directions from the Allied Representatives. At night

they are to show lights and to display searchlights with beams

held vertically.

c. All warships and merchant ships whether in port

or at sea will immediately train all weapons fore and aft. All

torpedo tubes will be unloaded and breech blocks will be removed

from all guns.

d. All warships and merchant ships in German or

German-controlled harbours will immediately land and store in

safety all ammunition, warheads and other explosives. They

will land all portable weapons but, pending further instuctions,

warships will retain onboard the fixed armament. Fire control

and all other equipment will be maintained on board intact and

fully efficient.

e. All minesweeping vessels are to carry out the

means of disarmament prescribed in c. and d. above,

(except that they will however, retain on board such portable

weapons and explosives as are required for minesweeping

purposes) and are to be prepared immediately for minesweeping

service under the direction of the Allied Representatives.

They will complete with fuel where necessary.

f. All German salvage vessels are to carry out

the measures of disarmament prescribed in c. and d. above

(except that they will retain on board such explosives as are

required for salvage purposes.) These vessels, together with

all salvage equipment and personnel, are to be prepared for

immediate salvage operations under the direction of the Allied

Representatives, completing with fuel where necessary for this

purpose.

g. The movement of transport on the inland waterways

of GERMANY may continue, subject to orders from the Allied

Representatives. No vessels moving on inland waterways will

proceed to neutral waters.

Submarines

12. The German High Command will tranmit by W/T on

appropriate frequencies the two messages in Annexures 'A' and

'B' which contain instructions to submarines at sea.

Naval Aircraft

13. The German High Command will forthwith direct that:-

a. German naval aircraft are not to leave the

ground or water or ship pending directions from the Allied

Representatives;

b. naval aircraft in the air are to return

immediately to their bases.

Neutral shipping

14. The German High Command will forthwith direct

that all neutral merchant ships in German and German-

controlled ports are to be detained pending further

directions from the Allied Representatives.

Orders relating to sabotage, scuttling, safety measures,

pilotage and personnel

15. The German High Command will forthwith issue

categorical directions that:-

a. No ship, vessel or aircraft of any

description is to be scuttled, or any damage done

to their hull, machinery or equipment.

b. all harbour works and port facilities

of whatever nature, including telecommunications and

radar stations, are to be preserved and kept free from

destruction or damage pending further directions from the

Allied Representatives, and all necessary steps taken and

all necessary orders issued to prohibit any act of

scuttling, sabotage, or other willful damage.

c. all boom defenses at all ports and

harbours are to be opened and kept open at all times;

where possible, they are to be removed.

d. all controlled minefields at all ports

and harbours are to be disconnected and rendered

ineffective.

e. all demolition charges in all ports

and harbour works are to be removed or rendered

ineffective and their presence indicated.

f. the existing wartime sustem of navigational

lighting is to be maintained, except that all dimmed lights

are to be shown at full brilliancy, and lights only shown

by special arrangement are to be exhibited continously.

In particular:-

(1) HELIGOLAND Light is to be burnt

at full brilliancy.

(2) The bouyage of the coastal convoy

route from the HOOK OF HOLLAND to

HAMBURG is to be commenced, mid-channel

light bouys being laid six miles apart.

(3) Two ships are to be anchored as

mark vessels in the following positions:-

54 20' N, 5 00' E. 54 20' N, 6 30' E.

Thse ships are to fly a large black flag at the mast-

head by day and by night are to flash a searchlight

vertically every 30 seconds.

g. All pilotage services are to continue

to operate and all pilots are to be held at their normal

stations ready for service and equipped with their charts.

h. German Naval and other personnel concerned

in the operation of ports and administrative services in

ports are to remain at their stations and to continue to

carry out their normal duties.

Personnel

16. The German High Command will forthwith direct

that except as may be required for the purpose of giving

effect to the above special orders:-

a. all personnel in German warships,

auxiliaries, merchant ships and other craft, are to remain

on board their ships pending further directions from the

Allied Representatives.

b. all Naval personnel ashore are to remain

in their establishments.

17. The German High Command will be responsible for

the immediate and total disarmament of all naval personnel

on shore. The orders issued to the German High Command in

respect of the disarmament and war material of land forces

will apply also to naval personnel on shore.

=H. M. BURROUGH= Signed....................... For the Supreme Commander, AEF.

=Dated 0241 7th May 1945= =Rheims, France=

ANNEXURE 'A'

SURRENDER OF GERMAN "U" BOAT FLEET

To all "U" Boats at sea:

Carry out the following instuctions forthwith which

have been given by the Allied Representatives

(A) Surface immediately and remain surfaced.

(B) Report immediately in P/L your position in

latitude and longitude and number of your "U" Boat

to nearest British, US, Canadian or Soviet coast W/T

station on 500 kc/s (600 metres) and to call sign GZZ 10

on one of the following high frequencies: 16845 - 12685

or 5970 kc/s.

(C) Fly a large black or blue flag by day.

(D) Burn navigation lights by night.

(E) Jettison all ammunition, remove breachblocks from

guns and render torpedos safe by removing pistols.

All mines are to be rendered safe.

(F) Make all signals in P/L.

(G) Follow strictly the instructions for proceeding

to Allied ports from your present area given in

immediately following message.

(H) Observe strictly the orders of Allied Representatives

to refrain from scuttling or in any way damaging your

"U" Boat.

2. These instructions will be repeated at two-hour

intervals until further notice.

ANNEXURE 'B'

To all "U" Boats at sea. Observe strictly the

instructions already given to remain fully surfaced.

Report your position course and speed every 8 hours.

Obey any instructions that may be given to you by any

Allied authority.

The following are the areas and routes for "U" Boats

surrendering-

(1) Area 'A'.

a. Bound on West by meridian 026 degs West and South by

parallel 043 degs North in Barents Sea by meridian 020 degs

East in Baltic Approaches by line joining the Naze and Hantsholm

but excludes Irish Sea between 051 degs thirty mins and 055 degs

00 mins North and English Channel between line of Lands End

Scilly Islands Ushant and line of Dover-Calais.

b. Join one of following routes at nearest point and

procceed along it to Loch Eriboll (058 degs 33 minutes North

004 degs 37 mins West)

Blue route: All positions North and West unless otherwise

indicated

049 degs 00 mins 009 degs 00 mins 053 degs 00 mins

012 degs 00 mins 058 degs 00 mins 011 degs 00 mins

059 degs 00 mins 005 degs 30 mins thence to Loch Eriboll.

Red route: 053 degs 45 mins North 003 degs 00 mins East

059 degs 45 mins 001 degs 00 mins 059 degs 45 mins

003 degs 00 mins thence to Loch Eriboll.

c. Arrive at Loch Eriboll between sunrise and 3 hours

before sunset.

(2) Area 'B'

a. The Irish Sea between parallel of 051 degs 30 mins

and 055 degs 00 mins North.

b. Proceed Beaumaris Bay (053 degs 19 mins North 003

degs 58 mins West) to arrive between sunrise and 3 hours

before sunset.

(3) Area 'C'

a. The English Channel between line of Lands End -

Scilly Isles - Ushant and line of Dover - Calais.

b. 'U' Boats in area 'C' are to join one of following

routes at nearest point: Green route: position 'A' 049 degs

10 mins North 005 degs 40 mins West position 'B' 050 degs 00

mins North 003 degs 00 mins West thence escorted to Weymouth.

Orange route: position 'X' 050 degs 30 mins North 000 degs 50

mins East position 'Y' 050 degs 10 mins North 001 degs 50 mins

West thence escorted to Weymouth.

c. Arrive at either 'B' or 'Y' between sunrise and 3 hours

before sunset.

(4) Area 'D'

a. Bound on West by lines joining The Naze and Hantsholm

and on East by lines joining Lubeck and Trelleborg.

b. Proceed to Kiel.

(5) Area 'E'

a. Mediterranean Approaches bound on North by 043 degs

North on South by 026 degs North and on West by 026 degs West.

b. Proceed to a rendezvous in position 'A' 036 degs 00

mins North 011 degs 00 mins West and await escort reporting

expected time of arrival in plain language to Admiral Gibraltar

on 500 kc/s.

c. Arrive in position 'A' between sunrise and noon G.M.T.

(6) Area 'F'

a. The North and South Atlantic West of 026 degs West.

b. Proceed to nearest of one of following points

arriving between sunrise and 3 hours before sunset: W 043

degs 30 mins North 070 degs 00 mins West approach from a

point 15 miles due East X 038 degs 20 mins North 074 degs

25 mins West approach from a point 047 degs 18 mins North

051 30 mins West on a course 270 degs Z 043 31 mins North

065 degs 05 mins West approach from point 042 degs 59 mins

North 054 degs 28 mins West on a course 320 degs. ---------------------------------------

UNDERTAKING

GIVEN BY CERTAIN GERMAN EMISSARIES

TO THE ALLIED HIGH COMMANDS

It is agreeed by the German emissaries

undersigned that the following German officers will

arrive at a place and time designated by the Supreme

Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, and the Soviet

High Command prepared, with planary powers, to execute

a formal ratification on behalf of the German High

Command of this act of Unconditional Surrender of the

German armed forces.

Chief of the High Command

Commander-in-Chief of the Army

Commander-in-Chief of the Navy

Commander-in-Chief of the Air Forces.

SIGNED

=JODL=

Representing the German High Command.

DATED =0241 7th May 1945= =Rheims, France= ---------------------------------------

{Reichspresident Donitz's authorization to German representatives to execute ratification}

A b s c h r i f t.

Der Oberste Befehlshaber Hauptquartier, den 7.5.45. der Wehrmact

/Bitte in der Antwort vorstehendes Geschaftszeichen, das Datum und kurzen Inhalt anzugegen./

ICH BEVOLLMACHTIGE

GENERALFELDMARSCHALL K E I T E L

ALS CHEF DES OBERKOMMANDOS DER

WEHRMACHT UND ZUGLEICH ALS OBER-

BEFEHLSHABER DES HEERES,

GENERALADMIRAL VON FRIEDBERG

ALS OBERBEFEHLSHABER DER KRIEGSMARINE,

GENERALOBERST S T U M P F

ALS VERTRETER DES OBERBEFEHLSHABERS

DER LUFTWAFFE

ZUR RATIFIZIERUNG DER BEDINGUNGSLKSEN

KAPITULATION DER DEUTSCHEN STREITKRAFTE GEGEN-

UBER DEM OBERBEFEHLSHABER DER ALLIIERTEN

EXPEDITIONSSTREITKRAFTE UND DEM SOWYET-OBER-

KOMMANDO.

DONITZ

GROBADMIRAL.

Siegel. ---------------------------------------

ACT OF MULITARY SURRENDER

1. We the undersigned, acting by authority

of the German High Command, hereby surrender

unconditionally to the Supreme Commander, Allied

Expeditionary Force and simultaneously to the

Supreme High Command of the Red Army all forces

on land, at sea, and in the air who are at this

date under German control.

2. The German High Command will at once

issue order to all German military, naval and

air authorities and to all forces under German

control to cease active operations at 2301 hours

Central European time on 8th May 1945, to remain

in all positions occupied at that time and to

disarm completely, handing over their weapons and

equipment to the local allied commanders or officers

designated by Representatives of the Allied Supreme

Commands. No ship, vessel, or aircraft is to be

scuttled, or any damage done to their hull,

machinery or equipment, and also to machines of all

kinds, armament, apparatus, and all the technical

means of prosecution of war in general.

3. The German High Command will at once

issue to the appropriate commanders, and ensure

the carrying out of any further orders issued by

the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force

and by the Supreme Command of the Red Army.

4. This act of military surrender is without

prejudice to, and will be superseded by any general

instrument of surrender imposed by, or on behalf of

the United Nations and applicable to GERMANY and

the German armed forces as a whole.

5. In the event of the German High Command

or any of the forces under their control failing

to act in accordance with this Act of Surrender,

the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force

and the Supreme High Command of the Red Army will

take such punitive or other action as they deem

appropriate.

6. This Act is drawn up in the English,

Russian and German languages. The English and

Russian are the only authentic texts.

Signed at =Berlin= on the =8 . = day of May, 1945

=Von Friedeburg= =Keitel= =Stumpff=

On behalf of the German High Command

IN THE PRESENCE OF:

=A.W.Tedder= On behalf of the On behalf of the Supreme Commander Supreme High Command of the Allied Expeditionary Force Red Army =Georgi Zhukov=

At the signing also were present as witnesses:

=F. de Lattre-Tassigny= =Carl Spaatz= General Commanding in Chief General, Commanding First French Army United States Strategic Air Force

---------------------------------------

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

The Allied armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with

God's help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional

surrender. The western world has been freed of the evil forces

which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and

broken the lives of millions upon millions of free-born men.

They have violated their churches, destroyed their homes, cor-

rupted their children, and murdered their loved ones. Our Armies

of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering peoples,

whose spirit and will the oppressors could never enslave.

Much remains to be done. The victory won in the West must

now be won in the East. The whole world must be cleansed of the

evil from which half the world has been freed. United, the

peace-loving nations have demonstrated in the West that their arms

are stronger by far than the might of dictators or the tyranny of

military cliques that once called us soft and weak. The power of

our peoples to defend themselves against all enemies will be proved

in the Pacific was as it has been proved in Europe.

For the trimuph of spirit and of arms which we have won, and

of its promise to peoples everywhere who join us in the love of

freedom, it is fitting that we, as a nation, give thanks to

Almighty God, who has strengthened us and given us the victory.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, HARRY S. TRUMAN, President of the United

States of America, do hereby appoint Sunday, May 13, 1945 to be a

day of prayer.

I call upon the people of the United States, whatever their

faith, to unite in offering joyful thanks to God for the victory

we have won and to pray that He will support us to the end of our

present struggle and guide us into the way of peace.

I also call upon my countrymen to dedicate this day of prayer

to the memory of those who have given their lives to make possible

our victory.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused

the seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington this eighth day of May in .. the year of our Lord

----------------------------------- | | nineteen hundred | | | | and forty-five | T H E G R E A T S E A L | | | and of the | | | O F T H E | Independence | | | | of the United | U N I T E D S T A T E S | | | States of America | O F | | | the one hundred | A M E R I C A | | | and sixty-ninth. | | -----------------------------------

By the President: =Harry S. Truman=

-------------------------------------

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