Victory
in Europe
8 May, 1945 Instrument of Surrender
All German armed forces in HOLLAND, in northwest Germany including all islands, and in DENMARK.
- 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.
- 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.
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. - 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.
- This instrument of surrender is independent of, without prejudice to, and will be superseded by any general instrument of surrender imposed by or on behalf of the Allied Powers and applicable to Germany and the German armed forces as a whole.
- This instrument of surrender is written in English and in German. The English version is the authentic text.
- The decision of the Allied Powers will be final if any doubt or dispute arise as to the meaning or interpretation of the surrender terms.
HANS
GEORG von FRIEDBERG KINZEL
G. WAGNER
B. L. MONTGOMERY Field Marshal
POLECK
FRIEDEL
4 May 1945
1830 hrs.
Only this English text is authoritative.
Act of Military Surrender
- We the undersigned, acting b y 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.
- 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 operation 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- In the even of the German High Command or any of the forces under their control failing to act in accordance with the 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 teh 7th day of May, 1945. France
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, SOU SLOPAROV
F SEVEZ, Major General, French Army (Witness)
This is not the entire Instrument of Surrender signed by the Axis powers in Europe. This link will take you to see the entire document.
SUPREME HEADQUARTERS,
ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
SERIAL 1
ORDERS BY THE SUPREME COMMANDER, ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE RELATING TO ARMY
AND AIR FORCES UNDER GERMAN CONTROL
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.
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.
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
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