If you ask any student in the former Soviet Union, when there was a capitulation of Germany, the answer is obvious: May 9, 1945.But even in this day feast only in our nation, and throughout the rest of the world celebrate the end of the war May 8.The reason for that - a number of events that occurred in May days in Reims, when he signed the capitulation of Germany.
After Hitler voluntarily died April 30, 45, power was transferred to the general Doenitz.He, like everyone else, knew that Germany could no longer resist the onslaught of the Allied forces, the end of the country close.He also knew that the German troops are too different behave in the occupied territories.For example, in France, the Nazis massacred 200 thousand people.This is a huge number, but it was less than 1% of the population losses in the Soviet Union.Therefore, the leadership of the Third Reich logically feared retribution from the Soviet Union.According to the plans Doenitz capitulation of Germany was to be held just before the Western allies to prisoners of war, weapons and control over the territory went to the troops of Britain and the United States
carry out this plan, May 4, in front of the British forces Field Marshal Montgomery surrendered German troops in the north-west of Germanyand in Denmark, and on May 5 at the mercy of the Americans surrendered to German forces in Bavaria and western Austria.Thus Doenitz negotiated with Western allies by offering to accept surrender, and three German armies of the Eastern Front, which at that time were fighting with the Red Army.
command of the Allied forces, however, refuse such an offer and informed the Soviet side about the Germans.German General Alfred Jodl, arrived on May 6 in the headquarters of the Anglo-American allies to sign the act of surrender of the whole army of the Third Reich.But General Eisenhower quite harshly refused to accept a surrender, saying that the troops must give where they currently are.And if the German troops from the Eastern Front decide to go to the West to avoid being taken prisoner by the Soviet side, the allied army is blocking his section of the front and will not allow such movement
Doenitz Jodl telegraphed the conditions that pushed the Allies.He provided a general full powers to sign the instrument of surrender without conditions.Initially signing of the act was planned for May 7, half of the third night.
Permanent Representative at the headquarters of the allies of the Soviet side was General Ivan Susloparov.At the talks he attended, but so rapid developments did not expect.He had no management, how to act in such a situation.Susloparov document sent to Moscow, but at the appointed time no reply received.So he decided to act on your own risk.Susloparov agreed to sign the act of surrender on the part of the Soviet command, but with one amendment: to the document were to include an item on the repetition of the signing ceremony at the request of any of the allied countries.
unconditional surrender of Germany was held on May 7 in the college building in Reims at night, at 2 o'clock 41 minutes.Now it is a small red building - Museum of surrender.The act of surrender of Germany was signed by General Smith on behalf of the Anglo-American allies, General Seveso on behalf of France, General Susloparov on behalf of the Soviet Union and the generals Friedeburg and Jodl on behalf of Germany.
According to the document, all the German troops were to cease any military action in 23 hours local time on May 8, 1945.That's when World War I officially ended.
When Susloparov informed Moscow that Germany's unconditional surrender took place, he found out that earlier he had been ordered not to sign any documents.
That surrender was signed in Rheims, extremely annoyed Stalin.He rightly believed that it was the Soviet people suffered the greatest losses and thus played a decisive role in the victory, so it is expected that the historic event to happen before the surrender of the invaders commander of all the victorious countries, and not only to the command of the Allies.With the demands of Stalin, all agreed, and the document signed at Rheims, it was decided to be considered preliminary.The main protocol was to be signed in Berlin at midnight on May 9th.
However, confusion has been created.Originally planned to announce a great victory in the three capitals of the allied forces - Moscow, Washington and London at the same time.At the same time on the Western Front the Germans fulfilled the conditions of the Act and to cease hostilities, and on the East fighting with the Red Army continued until May 9th.
German radio has already managed to declare the war on May 7 so the Allies could not pretend that nothing happened.At six in the evening of May 7, Churchill delivered a radio address to his people, congratulating the British victory.At the same time we learn about the greatest event and the citizens of the United States.
In the USSR, the news of the victory was proclaimed only after the signing of the Pact chief in Berlin and after the start of the mass surrender of the German forces on the Eastern Front - May 9, 1945.This date was for the Soviet people's Victory Day.
