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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judice to, and will be superseded by any general instrument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-
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 com-
mander, 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 ap-
propriate.
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 them-
selves 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 representa-
tives 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 Ger-
man-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 organiza-
tion and who is to bring with him the current naval com-
munications 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 navigational 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 instructions 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 accom-
panied 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 naviga-
tional 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 information 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 disposi-
tion of all "U" boats in the above area and details of all orders
affecting their future movements. 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 dispatched 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 Com-
mands, giving location of all naval establishments, includ-
ing 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 Ger-
man-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 im-
mediately to the nearest British, US or Soviet Coast wire-
less 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 Ger-
man-controlled harbours will immediately land and store in
safety all ammunition, warheads and other explosives. They
will land all portable weapons but, pending further instuc-
tions, 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, togipment 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 Representa-
tives. 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.
These ships are to fly a large black flag at the masthead 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 establish-
ments.
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 GEGENUBER
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 com-
manders, 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, corrupted 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=
-------------------------------------
Prepared by Monty "Doc" White (The Cleveland Free-Net - aa201)
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