Surrender of Germany Day-by-Day

[Yosy]

I have a book on WW2 where there's a section dedicated to the surrender of Germany. As the days go by I'll post them here. Begins today and ends in 8 May

29 APRIL

Caserta (Italy): At 1400, representatives of General-Captain Heinrich Gottfriend von Vietinghof, together with SS General, Karl Friederich Wolffm, agree that the end of hostilities in Italy will take place at mid-day of 2 May 1945. The surrender afects part of Carintia, provinces of Voralberg, Tirol and Salszburg, as well as all of Italy, except part of Venecia Giuliam, that is east of Isonzo

[Yosy]

3 MAY

Luneberg (Germany): Admiral Doenitz sends to the british lines a delegation led by admiral Von Friedeburg, commander-in-chief of the Kriegsmarine, and Infantry general, Hans Kinzel, to discuss the terms of surrender with field-marshal Montgomery.

At 1130, the delegation arrives at the headquarters of the british marshal, that gives them a cold reception: "Who are these men, what do they want?"

The germans offer the surrender of the III Panzer Army, XII Army and XXI Army. But Montgomery only accepts the surrender of all german forces stationed in Lubeck and Holland.

After speaking with Eisenhower, the supreme allied commander decides to include in the surrender Denmark, Low Countries, Friesland islands, Heligoland and Schleswig-Holstein. Due to the fact that the german delegation hasn't authority to accept the surrender of those territories, Friedeburg decides to return to Doenitz's headquarters, to speak with the new "fuhrer".

[Yosy]

4 MAY

Luneberg (Germany): At 1700, Montgomery gives a press conference, about the petition of german surrender. At that moment admiral Friedeburg arrives in Luneberg.

At 1820, the german delegation enters in the campaign tent where the signature of surrender will take place. On the table are two BBC microphones that will broadcast live the ceremony. The document is written in english, but Montgomery offers a german copy to the german delegates.

Innsbruck (Austria): Envoys of the german XIX Army under the command of general Brandenberger arrive at the north-american lines of the 44th Infantry Division, in Imst. Brandenberger's initiative is in response of general Schulz's order, with the mission of discussing the terms of surrender of the G Army Group, which the XIX Army is part of.

The instructions for the surrender are prepared by general Edward Brooks of the north-american VI Army Corp.

At 1530, Brandenberger arrives at Landhaus, coming from Innsbruck and signs the unconditional surrender of the XIX Army. From 1800 on, the cease-fire of that sector of the front is in effect.

Baldham (Germany): Field-marshal Kesselring notifies the SHAEF to send members of its General-Staff to discuss in Salzburg the terms of surrender. The reply of Eisenhower is that it will only accept the capitulation of Center, South, G and E Army Groups. During the night, german representatives arrive at the lines of the north-american XV Army Corp.

[Yosy]

5 MAY

Baldham (Germany): The talks between germans and north-americans begin. Representing the Allies are lieutenant-general Devers, chief of the VI Army Group; lieutenant-general Pacht of the VII Army and general Haislip, of the XV Army Corp.
Near 1400 the surrender, that will be in effect from 1200 of the next day, is signed. It affects all german troops stationed in the eastern zone of the G Army Groups, close to the austrian-czech border and western swiss border. The VII Army of general Obstfelder is excluded since it's included in the Southern Command.

Wageningen (Low Countries): In the De Wereld Hotel, fifteen kilometers west of Arnhem, the preliminary talks for the surrender of all german troops stationed in the Low Countries begin. The delegates are lieutenant-general Foulkes, commander of the canadian I Army Corp; lieutenant-general Paul Reichtel, chief of the General-Staff of captain-general Johannes Blaskowitz, commander of the german XXV Army, and prince Bernard, commander-in-chief of the Interior Dutch Forces.

At 1600 captain-general Blaskowitz arrives, in a "kubelwagen" vehicle escorted by the canadian Royal Military Police. In the hotel, more than thirty press correspondents of five countries await. The signature is adjourned untill the morning of the next day, and the definitive capitulation ceremony takes place in the auditorium of Wageningen's University of Agriculture.

Reims (France): In the morning, the plane that transports admiral Friedeburg and coronel Poleck lands in Brussels due to bad weather. Transported by car to the french location, they are welcomed by general Bedell Smith, in Reims' Technic School. Shortly after, Friedeburg sends a message to Doenitz requesting permission to sign the unconditional and simultaneous surrender in all theaters of operations.

[Yosy]

6 MAY

Reims (France): At 0100 the response of Doenitz arrives. The chief of operations of the OKW (Ober Kommando der Wehrmacht - High Command of Wehrmacht), lieutenant-general Alfred Jodl, will fly to Reims with his helper, commander Oxenius, to sign the surrender. Shortly after 1800, Jodl arrives at the SHAEF.

The germans try to delay the capitulation at all costs. Each hour that passes, hundreds of soldiers and civilians run away from the Eastern Front to the lines of the western allies.

Due to the danger of rupturing the negotiations, Jodl requests from Doenitz the authorization to sign the definitive and complete surrender.

Shortly after 0000 the response of Doenitz arrives: Jodl has authorization to sign the surrender.

At 0241 the official document of unconditional capitulation is signed.

[Yosy]

7 MAY

Lorient (France): The defense of the city, made by 25 000 men, resists since August 1944, in the fortress that the Kriegsmarine submarine base is part of.

Until the official capitulation in Reims is declared, the german commander of the town, Artillery general Wilhelm Fahrmbacker, does not surrender. His representative, colonel Borst, meets with the allies in Le Magouer, signing the surrender in a nearby bar.

Saint Nazaire (France): Colonel John Keating, chief of Staff of the north-american 66th Division, meets with german captain Mueller to discuss the terms of surrender of the town, that is in the same situation as Lorient. But, because Mueller didn't have authorization, the surrender is adjourned to 1400 of the next day when, accompanied by commander Engelken, chief of Staff of general Junk, the surrender of the 28 000 german soldeirs that resisted in Saint Nazaire is signed.

[Herrmannek]

7th May Festung Breslau Capitulates Definitely.. at 19:00 all from 40000 of german soldiers and officers are taken POW.

[Yosy]

8 MAY

Berlin (Germany): The unconditional Military Surrender Act presented by the allied authorities to the germans in Berlin differs from that of Reims in just a few points.

The representatives of the victorious Armies take their seats to start the signature of surrender. Soviet marshal Zhukov, the conqueror of Berlin, seats at the center of the table. The british air-marshal Tedder seats at his left, while the north-american general Spaatz and the french De Lattre, that are present as witnesses, seat at Tedder's left.

At 1100, Zhukov allows the german delegates to enter the room. Field-marshal Keite, admiral Friedeburg and lieutenant-general Stumpif - representing the three german armies - accompanied by the respective helpers, take their seats on the right side of the table.

Air-marshal Tedder asked if they were ready for the signature and gave them a copy of the text in german. After signing, about 1130, Zhukov and Tedder added their names to the document. After that, the act was given to the witnesses to sign it. The ceremony ended near 1215, when Zhukov ordered the german representation to leave the room.

Channel Islands: At 1200, the allies send a message to vice-admiral Huffmeier, commander of the English Channel's british islands, ordering his surrender. The vice-admiral's representative, captain Arnim Zimmermann, is transported on the mine-sweeper "Bulldog" to the coast.

At 0000, Zimmermann returns to Gernsey with precise instructions of the capitulation, written by the british general Alfred Snow.

At 0715 of the 9th, Snow decides to enter with the "Bulldog" in the islands' main port, St. Peter, to sign the surrender with the german garrison.

Dunkirk (France): The SHAEF sends two officers, a british and a czech, with a message to the commander of the fortress, informing him that the surrender is in effect since yesterday's dawn.
In the next day, vice-admiral Friederich Frisius presents himself, with two officers, in the port, south of the german defensive perimeter. Transfered to the Liska headquarters, in the Maes castle, Frisius presented a document with his signature, in which he surrenders his position. They were the last german soldiers to surrender. The war was over for the III Reich.