GERMANY'S SURRENDER TO THE ALLIED POWERS

 


May 8, 1945, is the Victory in Europe Day. Germany's General Wilhelm Keitel, on 8 May 1945, formally signed the final unconditional surrender of Germany to the Allies in the ruins of Berlin, ending World War II in Europe. 

World War II ended twice. On 7.5.1945, in a small red brick schoolhouse in the French town of Reims, German rep Alfred Jodl signed the instrument of unconditional surrender for the Nazi High Command. This wasn't accepted by the USSR. It wanted a full, final signing in the German capital by its leading general, Georgy Zhukov. D.D. Eisenhower, the supreme Allied commander, agreed. The final signing was set for May 8. In the ruins of Berlin, Wilhelm Keitel, Hans-Georg von Friedeburg, and Hans-Jürgen Stumpff signed for Germany. Due to Political and diplomatic haggling, the Allies didn't sign the document till 1:00 AM on 9 May. It was backdated to 8 May. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated twice. The West on 8 May. The USSR on 9 May.

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