The
End of the War in Europe "Yesterday morning at 2:41 a.m. at
Headquarters, General Jodl, the representative of the German High Command,
and Grand Admiral Doenitz, the designated head of the German State, signed
the act of unconditional surrender of all German Land, sea, and air forces
in Europe to the Allied Expeditionary Force, and simultaneously to the
Soviet High Command. General Bedell Smith, Chief of Staff of the
Allied Expeditionary Force, and General Francois Sevez signed the document
on behalf of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, and
General Susloparov signed on behalf of the Russian High Command. To-day this agreement will be ratified and
confirmed at Berlin, where Air Chief Marshal Tedder, Deputy Supreme
Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, and General de Lattre de
Tassigny will sign on behalf of General Eisenhower. Marshal Zhukov will
sign on behalf of the Soviet High Command. The German representatives will
be Field-Marshal Keitel, Chief of the High Command, and the Commanders-in-
Chief of the German Army, Navy, and Air Forces. Hostilities will end officially at one minute
after midnight to-night (Tuesday, 8th May), but in the interests of saving
lives the "Cease fire" began yesterday to be sounded all along
the front, and our dear Channel Islands are also to be freed to-day. The Germans are still in places resisting the
Russian troops, but should they continue to do so after midnight they
will, of course, deprive themselves of the protection of the laws of war,
and will be attacked from all quarters by the Allied troops. It is not
surprising that on such long fronts and in the existing disorder of the
enemy the orders of the German High Command should not in every case be
obeyed immediately. This does not, in our opinion, with the best military
advice at our disposal, constitute any reason for withholding from the
nation the facts communicated to us by General Eisenhower of the
unconditional surrender already signed at Rheims, nor should it prevent us
from celebrating to-day and to-morrow (Wednesday) as Victory in Europe
days. To-day, perhaps, we shall think mostly of
ourselves. To-morrow we shall pay a particular tribute to our Russian
comrades, whose prowess in the field has been one of the grand
contributions to the general victory. The German war is therefore at an end. After
years of intense preparation, Germany hurled herself on Poland at the
beginning of September, 1939; and, in pursuance of our guarantee to Poland
and in agreement with the French Republic, Great Britain, the British
Empire and Commonwealth of Nations, declared war upon this foul
aggression. After gallant France had been struck down we, from this Island
and from our united Empire, maintained the struggle single-handed for a
whole year until we were joined by the military might of Soviet Russia,
and later by the overwhelming power and resources of the United States of
America. Finally almost the whole world was combined
against the evil-doers, who are now prostrate before us. Our gratitude to
our splendid Allies goes forth from all our hearts in this Island and
throughout the British Empire. We may allow ourselves a brief period of
rejoicing; but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that
lie ahead. Japan, with all her treachery and greed, remains unsubdued. The
injury she has inflicted on Great Britain, the United States, and other
countries, and her detestable cruelties, call for justice and retribution.
We must now devote all our strength and resources to the completion of our
task, both at home and abroad. Advance, Britannia! Long live the cause of
freedom! God save the King!" Winston Spencer Churchill, in his Broadcast on 8th May
1945.
