Post by Administrator on May 7, 2021 15:06:06 GMT
Royal British Legion - Paris France
On this day in history May 7th, 1945 Nazi Germany Surrenders in World War II. On May 7th, 1945, Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Reims, France, to take effect the following day, ending the European conflict of World War II. After long fought battles during many years, there was finally a breakthrough. By the spring of 1945, the Soviets were approaching the German capital of Berlin from the east and the Western Allies were approaching it from the west. Knowing that defeat was imminent, Hitler committed suicide, leaving Karl Dönitz to carry out the surrender of the Nazis.
On May 2, the Soviets conquered Berlin. The Associated Press wrote, “Berlin, greatest city of the European Continent, fell yesterday afternoon to the Russians as 70,000 German troops laid down their arms in the surrender that Adolf Hitler had said never would come.”
Due to the failure of Nazi troops in Berlin and elsewhere, Dönitz and his fellow negotiators lost any leverage in asking for certain conditions in regard to the surrender. Dönitz therefore decided on May 7 to give in to Allied demands of unconditional surrender. The surrender was made official the following day with a signing at a formal ceremony. May 8th was declared Victory-in-Europe (V-E) Day, a day still celebrated as a public holiday in some European countries.
On this day in history May 7th, 1945 Nazi Germany Surrenders in World War II. On May 7th, 1945, Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Reims, France, to take effect the following day, ending the European conflict of World War II. After long fought battles during many years, there was finally a breakthrough. By the spring of 1945, the Soviets were approaching the German capital of Berlin from the east and the Western Allies were approaching it from the west. Knowing that defeat was imminent, Hitler committed suicide, leaving Karl Dönitz to carry out the surrender of the Nazis.
On May 2, the Soviets conquered Berlin. The Associated Press wrote, “Berlin, greatest city of the European Continent, fell yesterday afternoon to the Russians as 70,000 German troops laid down their arms in the surrender that Adolf Hitler had said never would come.”
Due to the failure of Nazi troops in Berlin and elsewhere, Dönitz and his fellow negotiators lost any leverage in asking for certain conditions in regard to the surrender. Dönitz therefore decided on May 7 to give in to Allied demands of unconditional surrender. The surrender was made official the following day with a signing at a formal ceremony. May 8th was declared Victory-in-Europe (V-E) Day, a day still celebrated as a public holiday in some European countries.