Germany Signs Surrender: WWII in Europe Ends
Generaloberst Alfred Jodl signed the first German Instrument of Surrender at 2:41 AM on May 7, 1945, at SHAEF headquarters in a red brick schoolhouse in Reims, France. General Walter Bedell Smith signed for the Allies, and General Ivan Susloparov signed for the Soviet Union. Moscow immediately protested that Susloparov had not been authorized to sign and insisted on a separate ceremony. A second signing took place at the Soviet headquarters in Berlin-Karlshorst late on May 8, with Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel signing for Germany. This is why Russia celebrates Victory Day on May 9 rather than May 8. The May 7 signing called for all German forces to cease operations at 11:01 PM on May 8. Approximately three million German soldiers surrendered to Western forces; 1.5 million surrendered to the Soviets.
May 7, 1945
81 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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