GenObt Alfred J. F. Jodl signs the instrument of surrender in Rheims, France.
ACT OF MILITARY SURRENDER
- We the undersigned, acting by the authority of the German High Command, hereby surrender unconditionally to the Supreme Command, Allied Expeditionary Force [GA Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA] and simultaneously to the Soviet High Command [CGS Generál Ármii Aleksei I. Antonov, SA] 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 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.
- 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 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- This act of military surrender is without prejudice to, and will be superseded by any general instrument of surrender imposed by, or on behalf of the United Nations and applicable to Germany and the German armed forces as a whole.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 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, France, at 0241 on the 7th Day of May, 1945.
On behalf of the German High Command:
/s/
Jodl
[GenObt Alfred J. F. Jodl, DH, Chief of the Operations Staff, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (High Command of the Armed Forces)]
IN THE PRESENCE OF:
On behalf of the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force
/s/
W. B. Smith
[LTG W. Bedell Smith, USA, Chief of Staff Allied Expeditionary Force]
On behalf of the Soviet High Command
/s/
Susloparov
[Generál-Majór Ivan A. Susloparov, SA, Soviet Military Liaison, Allied Expeditionary Force]
As Witness
/s/
F. Sevez
[Général de Corps d’Armée François Sevez, AT, XO CINC French Forces]
[Other Witnesses:
GAdm Hans-Georg von Friedeburg, KM, CINC Oberkommando der Marine (High Command of the Navy)
Lt-Gen Sir Frederick E. Morgan, BA, XO Chief of Staff Allied Expeditionary Force
Adm Harold M. Burrough, RN, CINC Allied Naval Expeditionary Force
GEN Carl A. Spaatz, USAAF, CG United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe
Air Mshl James M. Robb, RAF, Chief of Staff Allied Air Forces
MG Harold R. Bull, USA, XO Chief of Staff G-3]
GenFM Wilhelm Keitel signs the instrument of surrender in Berlin, Germany.
ACT OF MILITARY SURRENDER
- We the undersigned, acting by the 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.
- 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 operations at 2301 hours Central European time on 8th May 1945, to remain in the 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.
- 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 High Command of the Red Army.
- 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 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 of the Red Army will take such punitive action as they deem appropriate.
- 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 8th day of May, 1945.
On behalf of the German High Command
/s/
von Friedeburg
[GAdm Hans-Georg von Friedeburg, KM, CINC Oberkommando der Marine (High Command of the Navy)]
/s/
Keitel
[GenFM Wilhelm Keitel, DH, CINC Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (High Command of the Armed Forces)]
/s/
Stumpff
[GenObt Hans-Jürgen Stumpff, LW, CG Luftflotte Reich (Air Fleet Reich)
Representing GenFM Robert Ritter von Greim, LW, CINC Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Reich Ministry of Aviation)]
On behalf of the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force
/s/
A. W. Tedder
[Air Chf Mshl Sir Arthur W. Tedder, RAF, XO Allied Expeditionary Force]
On behalf of the Supreme Command of the Red Army
/s/
G. Zhukov
[Máršal Sovétskogo Sojúza Georgy K. Zhukov, SA, CG 1st Belorussian Front]
At the signing also were present as witnesses:
/s/
J. de Lattre de Tassigny
[Général d’Armée Jean J. M. G. de Lattre de Tassigny, AT, CG French First Army]
/s/
Carl Spaatz
[GEN Carl A. Spaatz, USAAF, CG United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe]