THE GERMAN SURRENDER DOCUMENTS - WWII

THE GERMAN SURRENDER DOCUMENTS - WWII:


                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 insturment of surrender is independent of, without pre-
    judice to, and will be superseded by any general instrument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 instument 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.=
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{Reichspresident Donitz's authorization to Colonel General Jodl}
{to conclude a general surrender:}


                                  Hauptquartier, den 6. Mai 1945




            Ich bevollmachtige Generaloberst  J o d l ,

    Chef des Wehrmachtfuhrungsstabes in Oberkommando

    der Wehrmact, zum Abschluss eines Waffenstill-

    standsbkommens mit dem Hauptquartier des Generals

    E i s e n h o w e r .


       [ SEAL ]                 =DONITZ=

                               GroBadmiral.
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        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 at 0241= on the =7th= day of May, 1945.
                =France=


     On behalf of the German High Command.


              =JODL=


                         IN THE PRESENCE OF


On behalf of the Supreme Commander,       On behalf of the Soviet
    Allied Expeditionary Force.                High Command

      =W. B. SMITH=                           =SOUSLOPAROV=


      =F SEVEZ=
Major General, French Army
       (Witness)
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                    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=

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       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.



       SPECIAL ORDERS BY THE SUPREME COMMANDER, ALLIED

       EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO THE GERMAN HIGH COMMAND

                   RELATING TO NAVAL FORCES

                       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 res-

     ponsible 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 sperr-

     brechers 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 SKGGERAK 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 dis-

     patched 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.

     Thse 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.
---------------------------------------

                       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}

                                           A b s c h r i f t.


Der Oberste Befehlshaber
                                      Hauptquartier, den 7.5.45.
       der Wehrmact

/Bitte in der Antwort vorstehendes
 Geschaftszeichen, das Datum und
   kurzen Inhalt anzugegen./


                    ICH BEVOLLMACHTIGE

                      GENERALFELDMARSCHALL   K E I T E L

                         ALS CHEF DES OBERKOMMANDOS DER

                         WEHRMACHT UND ZUGLEICH ALS OBER-

                         BEFEHLSHABER DES HEERES,

                      GENERALADMIRAL VON FRIEDBERG

                         ALS OBERBEFEHLSHABER DER KRIEGSMARINE,

                      GENERALOBERST  S T U M P F

                         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

                                   GROBADMIRAL.

Siegel.
---------------------------------------

                 ACT OF MULITARY 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   =8 . =    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                 On behalf of the
    Supreme Commander                Supreme High Command of the
    Allied Expeditionary Force       Red Army
                                               =Georgi Zhukov=

      At the signing also were present as witnesses:


   =F. de Lattre-Tassigny=           =Carl Spaatz=
  General Commanding in Chief     General, Commanding
    First French Army               United States Strategic Air Force


---------------------------------------

      BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA


                        A PROCLAMATION



      The Allied armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with

God's help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional

surrender.  The western world has been freed of the evil forces

which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and

broken the lives of millions upon millions of free-born men.

They have violated their churches, destroyed their homes, cor-

rupted their children, and murdered their loved ones.  Our Armies

of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering peoples,

whose spirit and will the oppressors could never enslave.

      Much remains to be done.  The victory won in the West must

now be won in the East.  The whole world must be cleansed of the

evil from which half the world has been freed.  United, the

peace-loving nations have demonstrated in the West that their arms

are stronger by far than the might of dictators or the tyranny of

military cliques that once called us soft and weak.  The power of

our peoples to defend themselves against all enemies will be proved

in the Pacific was as it has been proved in Europe.

      For the trimuph of spirit and of arms which we have won, and

of its promise to peoples everywhere who join us in the love of

freedom, it is fitting that we, as a nation, give thanks to

Almighty God, who has strengthened us and given us the victory.

      NOW, THEREFORE, I, HARRY S. TRUMAN, President of the United

States of America, do hereby appoint Sunday, May 13, 1945 to be a

day of prayer.

      I call upon the people of the United States, whatever their

faith, to unite in offering joyful thanks to God for the victory

we have won and to pray that He will support us to the end of our

present struggle and guide us into the way of peace.

      I also call upon my countrymen to dedicate this day of prayer

to the memory of those who have given their lives to make possible

our victory.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused

the seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

      Done at the City of Washington this eighth day of May in
    ..   the year of our Lord

    -----------------------------------
    |                                 |   nineteen hundred
    |                                 |
    |                                 |    and forty-five
    |   T H E   G R E A T   S E A L   |
    |                                 |      and of the
    |                                 |
    |           O F   T H E           |       Independence
    |                                 |
    |                                 |       of the United
    |    U N I T E D   S T A T E S    |
    |                                 |      States of America
    |               O F               |
    |                                 |       the one hundred
    |          A M E R I C A          |
    |                                 |      and sixty-ninth.
    |                                 |
    -----------------------------------

        By the President:             =Harry S. Truman=



-------------------------------------

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