German Instrument of Surrender

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The instrument of surrender signed at Reims May 7, 1945.

The German Instrument of Surrender was the legal instrument that established the armistice ending World War II in Europe. It was signed by representatives of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, the Allied Expeditionary Force and Soviet High Command on May 7 and May 8, 1945. The date is known in the West as Victory in Europe Day.

There were four language versions of the surrender document. The English version was the only authoritative one. The English version was typed by Susan Hibbert.

[edit] Surrender ceremony

General Alfred Jodl signing the capitulation papers in Rheims.

The Instrument of Surrender was signed at Rheims, France, at 02:41 hours on 7 May 1945. The signing took place in a red brick schoolhouse that served as the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF).^[1] It was to take effect at 2301 hours Central European time on 8 May, 1945.^[2]

The unconditional surrender of the German armed forces was signed by Generaloberst Alfred Jodl, on behalf of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (German language: High Command of armed forces) and as the representative for the new Reich President, Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz. Walter Bedell Smith signed on behalf of the Western allies, and Ivan Susloparov on behalf of the Soviets. French general François Sevez signed as the official witness.

[edit] Berlin ceremony

Marshal Georgy Zhukov reading the German capitulation in Berlin. Seated on his right is Arthur Tedder, Marshal of the Royal Air Force.

Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel signing the ratified surrender terms for the German military in Berlin.

Another Act of Military Surrender was signed, shortly before midnight, on May 8^[3] in the outskirts of Berlin, Germany, at the insistence of the Soviets who considered the Rheims Instrument as a preliminary. The signing ceremony took place in a villa in an eastern suburb of Berlin called Karlshorst, where the German Russian Museum is located today. [1] The representatives of the USSR, the United Kingdom, France and the United States arrived shortly before midnight. After Marshal Georgy Zhukov, the Soviet representative, opened the ceremony, the German command representatives headed by Wilhelm Keitel were invited into the room, where they signed the final German Act of Unconditional Surrender entering into force at 23:01 Central European Time.

Representatives:

Soviet Union: Marshal Georgy Zhukov on behalf of the Supreme High Command of the Red Army
United Kingdom: Deputy Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Arthur William Tedder
United States: General Carl Spaatz, Commanding United States Strategic Air Forces
France: General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, Commanding First French Army
Nazi Germany:
- Admiral Hans-Georg von Friedeburg as Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine
- Colonel-General Hans-Jürgen Stumpff as the representative of the Luftwaffe
- Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel as the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht

[edit] Text of the Instrument of Surrender

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 Force 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 authorities 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 commanders, 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.[ 2 ]

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 France on the 7th day of May, 1945.

On behalf of the German High Command. Alfred Jodl

in the presence of

On behalf of the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force. Walter Bedell Smith

On behalf of the Soviet High Command. Ivan Sousloparov

Major General, French Army (Witness)

François Sevez

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