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judice to, and will be superseded by any general instrument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=
-------------------------------------