1945 Allies and Germany
WWII Surrender Documents
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 instrument of surrender is independent of,
without prejudice to, and will be superseded by any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 instrument 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 Jodl,
Chef des Wehrmachtfuhrungsstabes in Oberkommando der
Wehrmact, zum Abschluss eines Waffenstill-
standsbkommens mit dem Hauptquartier des Generals
Eisenhower
[ SEAL ] DONITZ GrossAdmiral.
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 France
at 0241 on the 7th day of May, 1945.
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.
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
responsible 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 sperrbrechers 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 SKAGGERAK 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 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
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. These 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.
<HR>
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}
Abschrift
Der Oberste Befehlshaber Hauptquartier, den 7.5.45.
der Wehrmacht
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
OBERBEFEHLSHABER DES HEERES, GENERALADMIRAL VON
FRIEDBERG ALS OBERBEFEHLSHABER DER KRIEGSMARINE,
GENERALOBERST STUMPF 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 GROSSADMIRAL.
Siegel.
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 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 8th 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, Supreme High Command
of the Allied Expeditionary Force
Georgi Zhukov
On behalf of the Red Army
At the signing also were present as witnesses:
F. de Lattre-Tassigny, General, Commanding First French
Army
Carl Spaatz, General Commanding in Chief, United States
Strategic Air Force
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