May 8, 1945
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of, without pre- judice to, and will be superseded by any general instrument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.
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{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 Eisenhower
.
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, Allied Expeditionary Force, W. B. SMITH
On behalf of the Soviet High Command, 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:-
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:-
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.
SIGNED
JODL
Representing the German High Command.
DATED 0241 7th May 1945
Rheims, France
---------------------------------------
{Reichspresident Donitz's authorization to German representatives to execute
ratification}.
Abschrift.
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 KEITEL 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 Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force
Georgi Zhukov
On behalf of the Supreme High Command of the Red Army
At the signing also were present as witnesses:
F. de Lattre-Tassigny
General Commanding in Chief
First French Army
Carl Spaatz
General, Commanding
United States Strategic Air Force
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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 and of
the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and sixty-ninth.
| THE GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA |
By the President:
Harry S. Truman