May 9, 1945 - this date is familiar to every inhabitant of modern Russia and the former Soviet Union as the day of the Great Victory over fascism.Unfortunately, the historical facts are not always unambiguous, this allows some historians distort the events in Western Europe.The signing of the act of unconditional surrender of Germany happened a little differently than we all know from the history books, but it should not change the picture of the progress and outcome of the bloody war.
offensive
Red Army in the winter of 43-44 years drove the Germans to the border on all fronts.Fierce battles have exhausted the enemy forces, but also create difficulties for the Soviet soldiers.Release of Karelia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, took place in the course of 1944, the Red Army came to the borders of the aggressor country.The signing of the act of unconditional surrender of Germany is yet to come, exhausted kilometers of march of the troops need to be regrouping for a decisive battle.The capture of Berlin has become a matter of prestige of our country in this endeavor, and the allies.January 1945 was the point of no return for the Nazis, the war was lost completely, but it was fiercely resisted them on the outskirts of Berlin.Creating many fortified, re-formed army units, the contraction of the divisions to the Eastern Front - Hitler is taking this action in order to stop the Soviet forces.In part he manages to delay the advance on Berlin, it is postponed from February to April 1945.The operation is carefully planned and prepared to pull together all fronts advancing possible reserves and weapons.From 16 to 17 April 1945 attack on the capital of Germany begins by two fronts - first Belarusian (Marshal Georgy Zhukov) and the first Ukrainian (Ch. Commander Konev Ivan Stepanovich), the second Belarusian Front (Rokossovsky Konstantin) should exercise environment of the city and to preventattempts to break.As if there were these terrible four years of war, the wounded got up and went into operation in the Berlin, despite the fierce resistance the Nazis swept to strengthen, everyone knew that this is the way to victory.Only by noon May 2, 45 the capital of the Third Reich fell into complete silence, the remains of the garrison surrendered and Soviet flags replaced the swastika on the remains of the destroyed buildings.
Allies
summer of 1944 begins massaging attack allied troops in the western direction.It is mainly caused by too rapid onslaught of the Red Army along the entire eastern front line.The landing of the Norman landing, strategic bombing of the main industrial areas of the Third Reich, the military operations on the territory of Belgium, France and Germany considerably complicate the situation of Nazi Germany.Capture the Ruhr area, south of Austria was allowed to advance deep into the territory of the aggressor.The legendary meeting of Soviet and allied troops on the Elbe River in April of '45 is actually the last step in the war.The capitulation of Nazi Germany is becoming a matter of time, especially as some of it has already begun some of the armies of the Wehrmacht.From a political point of view, the capture of Berlin was needed allies as well as the Soviet Union, it has repeatedly mentions Eisenhower.For the connected parts of the British, Americans and Canadians holding this offensive it was theoretically possible.After the failed Ardennes counter-offensive, German troops retreating on almost all fronts without fierce fighting, trying to throw a combat-capable connections to the eastern direction.Hitler actually turned his back on the allies of the USSR, all the efforts to direct on to stop the Red Army.The second front was moving very slowly, the command of the coalition of the compounds did not want to casualties among his soldiers during the assault well fortified Berlin and its suburbs.
Germans
Hitler waited until the end of the coalition split and changes in the front line.He was confident that the meeting will result in a new war allies against the Soviet Union.When expectations are not met, he decided to make peace with the United States and Britain that would make it possible to close the second front.The negotiations were disrupted due to timely information received Soviet intelligence.This fact greatly accelerated the advance of the Red Army and prevent the possibility of concluding a separate peace.Allies had decisively insist on compliance with all the Yalta accords meant that the signing of the act of unconditional surrender of Germany."Pass" Berlin, Hitler was prepared to the Anglo-American troops to do so he was unable to because of the Soviet command.The offensive and storm the capital of the Third Reich began for our troops honor.The fascists are fanatically defended, had nowhere to retreat, the approaches to the city became powerful fortified areas.
Yalta Conference
The massive offensive on the eastern and western front made it clear to the Nazis that had near total capitulation of Germany.1945 (began) Hitler did not leave a chance to win and the possibility of long-term war on both fronts.Understand the importance of the anti-Hitler coalition agreed peaceful solution of territorial and political transformation in liberated Europe.Representatives of the highest level of the three allied powers in February 1945 gathered in Yalta.Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill defined the future not only of Germany, Poland, Italy, France, they created a new bipolar device in Europe, which is observed during the following 40 years.Of course, in these circumstances, none of the countries could not dictate their conditions, so the results of this historic conference partially meet the demands of the leaders.But the main issue was the destruction of fascism and nationalism, the danger of such regimes has been recognized by all parties.
Training document
signing of the act of unconditional surrender of Germany took place in 1945, but even in 1943 a draft of the document has been agreed by all the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition.The initiator of its creation was the Roosevelt, the document was compiled with the assistance of an advisory committee composed of European experts.The text of the draft was quite extensive and wore more advisory in nature, so the actual surrender of Germany was signed after the preparation of a completely different document.American officers came to drawing up its military, purely pragmatic side.The six points of the document contained specific requirements, certain dates and procedures in case of violation of any article, which were historic.
partial surrender
Several large military units of the Wehrmacht surrendered to the Allied forces before the agreement was signed a full capitulation of the Nazis.German groups and armies tried to break through to the west, to fight against the Russian.Their commanders were aware that the war is over and they can get shelter, surrendering only captured the Americans and British.Especially the group of SS troops, famous for atrocities in the Soviet Union, fled from the rapidly advancing Russian.The first case of surrender was recorded April 29, 1945 in Italy.On May 2, the Soviet troops surrendered the garrison of Berlin, May 4 naval forces of Germany in Denmark, the Netherlands laid down their arms before the British on May 5, Army Group "G" capitulated before reaching the US from Austria.
first document
May 8, 1945 - this date in Europe is considered to be the Day of Victory over Fascism.It is not chosen by chance, in fact, representatives of the new government of Germany signed the capitulation on May 7 and enter into force document was the next day.Admiral Friedeburg in the composition of the German delegation arrived in the Rhine, which was based headquarters of the Eisenhower proposal surrender May 5, 1945.The Nazis began to bargain with the Allies under the terms of the document, trying to buy time and to withdraw as many troops and civilians behind the Western Front, while not ceasing to attempt to deter the Soviet army in the east.Eisenhower completely rejected all arguments of the Germans, insisting on complete and unconditional surrender of Germany and the signing of the document by all parties to the conflict.May 6 in the Rhine were summoned representatives of all allied troops.In Soviet history textbooks do not reflect who signed the act of capitulation of Germany in the first embodiment, but the names of these people survived from the Soviet Union - General Susloparov from the combined forces of the Allies - General Smith, from Germany - General Jodl, Admiral Friedeburg.
Stalin
Susloparov Ivan was a member of the Soviet mission at the headquarters of the allies, so before to sign the historic document, passed the information to Moscow.The answer came late, but his fourth point implies the possibility of amending the original version, and this took Stalin.He insisted on re-signing of the act, as arguments were presented the following arguments:
- Nazis after signing the capitulation continues active defensive military operations on the eastern front.
- Stalin attached great importance to and where the German capitulation was signed.To do this, he believes, is only suitable capital of the defeated state.
- Susloparov had no authority to sign the document.
Allies agreed with his opinion, all the more so in fact it was a repetition of the procedure, which does not change its essence.
German surrender
Date of ratification of the previous contract was scheduled for May 8, 1945.At 22 hours 43 minutes of time on the European procedure of signing the surrender was completed in Moscow was already the next day.That is why the morning of May 9 in the Soviet Union announced the end of the war and complete defeat of Nazi Germany.In fact, the document was signed without significant changes from the Soviet command it signed by Marshal Georgy Zhukov, from the allied forces - Marshal Arthur Tedder, from Germany - the supreme commander of the Wehrmacht Wilhelm Keitel, Colonel-General Stumpf Luftwaffe, Navy Adm Friedeburg.As witnesses were General de Lattre de Tassigny (France), General Spaatz (USA).
hostilities
Many fascist groups did not recognize the surrender and continued to resist the Soviet troops (in Austria and Czechoslovakia), hoping to break through to the west and surrender to the Allies.Such attempts were stopped by the destruction of enemy forces, so the actual military operations were carried out on the Eastern Front until May 19, 1945.Approximately 1.5 million German soldiers and 100 generals surrendered to Soviet troops after 8th May.Number of single collision was significant, scattered groups of enemy often resisted our troops, so the list of those killed in this terrible war is not limited to the date of May 9th.The conclusion of peace between the major parties to the conflict has not occurred at the time of signing of the "capitulation of Germany."The date that will put an end to the military confrontation, will come only in June 1945. At that time, it will be drawn up and signed the document, which is based on the principle of the post-war government.
victory
Levitan announced the end of the Great Patriotic War May 9, 1945.This day is a celebration of the Victory of the multinational people of Nazi Germany.And then, and now is not important, what is the number of capitulation was signed, 7 or 8, the main thing is the signing of the document.Many nations have suffered in this war, but Russian will always be proud of the fact that it is not broke down and freed their country and of Europe.The victory was hard, was worth many millions of lives, and the duty of every modern man - to prevent the recurrence of such a tragedy.The signing of the act of unconditional surrender of Germany took place twice, but the significance of this document is unique.
