PART II - CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT

Orders to warships, auxiliaries, merchant ships and other craft
 
11.  The German High Command will forthwith direct all German and German-controlled warships, auxiliaries, merchant ships and other craft to comply with the following instructions:-

a.  All warships, auxiliaries, merchant ships and other craft in harbours are to remain in harbour pending further directions from the Allied Representatives.

b.  All warships, auxiliaries, merchant ships and other craft at sea are to report their positions in plain language immediately to the nearest British, US or Soviet Coast Wireless Telegraphy station on 500 kc/s (600 metres), and are to proceed to the nearest German or Allied port or such ports as the Allied Representatives may direct, and remain there pending further directions from the Allied Representatives.  At night they are to show lights and to display searchlights with beams held vertically.

c.  All warships and merchant ships whether in port or at sea will immediately train all weapons fore and aft.  All torpedo tubes will be unloaded and breech blocks will be removed from all guns.

d.  All warships and merchant ships in German or German-controlled harbours will immediately land and store in safety all ammunition, warheads and other explosives.  They will land all portable weapons but, pending further instructions, warships will retain onboard the fixed armament.  Fire control and all other equipment will be maintained on board intact and fully efficient.

e.  All minesweeping vessels are to carry out the
  means of disarmament prescribed in c. and d. above,
  (except that they will however, retain on board such portable
  weapons and explosives as are required for minesweeping
  purposes) and are to be prepared immediately for minesweeping
  service under the direction of the Allied Representatives.
  They will complete with fuel where necessary.
 

f.  All German salvage vessels are to carry out
  the measures of disarmament prescribed in c. and d. above
  (except that they will retain on board such explosives as are
  required for salvage purposes.)  These vessels, together with
  all salvage equipment and personnel, are to be prepared for
  immediate salvage operations under the direction of the Allied
  Representatives, completing with fuel where necessary for this
  purpose.
 

g.  The movement of transport on the inland waterways
  of GERMANY may continue, subject to orders from the Allied
  Representatives.  No vessels moving on inland waterways will
  proceed to neutral waters.
  Submarines
 

  12.  The German High Command will transmit by W/T on
  appropriate frequencies the two messages in Annexures 'A' and
  'B' which contain instructions to submarines at sea.
  Naval Aircraft
 

  13.  The German High Command will forthwith direct that:-

  a.  German naval aircraft are not to leave the
  ground or water or ship pending directions from the Allied
  Representatives;
 

b.  naval aircraft in the air are to return
  immediately to their bases.

  Neutral shipping
 

  14.  The German High Command will forthwith direct
  that all neutral merchant ships in German and German-
  controlled ports are to be detained pending further
  directions from the Allied Representatives.
  Orders relating to sabotage, scuttling, safety measures,
  pilotage and personnel
 

  15.  The German High Command will forthwith issue
  categorical directions that:-
 

a.  No ship, vessel or aircraft of any
  description is to be scuttled, or any damage done
  to their hull, machinery or equipment.
 

b.  all harbour works and port facilities
  of whatever nature, including telecommunications and
  radar stations, are to be preserved and kept free from
  destruction or damage pending further directions from the
  Allied Representatives, and all necessary steps taken and
  all necessary orders issued to prohibit any act of
  scuttling, sabotage, or other willful damage.
 

c.  all boom defenses at all ports and
  harbours are to be opened and kept open at all times;
  where possible, they are to be removed.

  d.  all controlled minefields at all ports
  and harbours are to be disconnected and rendered
  ineffective.
 

  e.  all demolition charges in all ports
  and harbour works are to be removed or rendered
  ineffective and their presence indicated.

  f.  the existing wartime system of navigational
  lighting is to be maintained, except that all dimmed lights
  are to be shown at full brilliancy, and lights only shown
  by special arrangement are to be exhibited continuously.
  In particular:-
 

  (1)  HELIGOLAND Light is to be burnt
    at full brilliancy.
 

  (2)  The bouyage of the coastal convoy
    route from the HOOK OF HOLLAND to
    HAMBURG is to be commenced, mid-channel
    light bouys being laid six miles apart.
 

  (3)  Two ships are to be anchored as
    mark vessels in the following positions:-
 

54 20' N,  5 00' E.
54 20' N,  6 30' E.
 

These ships are to fly a large black flag at the mast-
  head by day and by night are to flash a searchlight
  vertically every 30 seconds.
 

g.  All pilotage services are to continue
  to operate and all pilots are to be held at their normal
  stations ready for service and equipped with their charts.
 

h.  German Naval and other personnel concerned
  in the operation of ports and administrative services in
  ports are to remain at their stations and to continue to
  carry out their normal duties.

  Personnel
 

  16.  The German High Command will forthwith direct 

that except as may be required for the purpose of giving
  effect to the above special orders:-
 

a.  all personnel in German warships,
  auxiliaries, merchant ships and other craft, are to remain
  on board their ships pending further directions from the
  Allied Representatives.
 

b.  all Naval personnel ashore are to remain
  in their establishments.
 

  17.  The German High Command will be responsible for
  the immediate and total disarmament of all naval personnel
  on shore.  The orders issued to the German High Command in
  respect of the disarmament and war material of land forces
  will apply also to naval personnel on shore.
 

 
     H. M. BURROUGH
  Signed.......................
  For the Supreme Commander, AEF.
 

 
 Dated 0241  7th May 1945
 Rheims, France
 

 
 

ANNEXURE  'A' 

 
SURRENDER OF GERMAN "U" BOAT FLEET
 

 
   To all "U" Boats at sea:
 

   Carry out the following instructions forthwith which
  have been given by the Allied Representatives
  (A)  Surface immediately and remain surfaced.
  (B)  Report immediately in P/L your position in
  latitude and longitude and number of your "U" Boat
  to nearest British, US, Canadian or Soviet coast W/T
  station on 500 kc/s (600 metres) and to call sign GZZ 10
  on one of the following high frequencies: 16845 - 12685
  or 5970 kc/s.
 

©  Fly a large black or blue flag by day.

  (D)  Burn navigation lights by night.

  (E)  Jettison all ammunition, remove breachblocks from
  guns and render torpedos safe by removing pistols.  

All mines are to be rendered safe.

  (F)  Make all signals in P/L.
 

(G)  Follow strictly the instructions for proceeding
  to Allied ports from your present area given in
  immediately following message.
 

(H)  Observe strictly the orders of Allied Representatives
  to refrain from scuttling or in any way damaging your
  "U" Boat.
 

2.  These instructions will be repeated at two-hour
  intervals until further notice.
 

 
ANNEXURE  'B' 

 
   To all "U" Boats at sea.  Observe strictly the
  instructions already given to remain fully surfaced.
  Report your position course and speed every 8 hours.
  Obey any instructions that may be given to you by any
  Allied authority.
 

   The following are the areas and routes for "U" Boats
  surrendering-
 

(1)  Area 'A'.

     a.  Bound on West by meridian 026 degs West and South by
  parallel 043 degs North in Barents Sea by meridian 020 degs
  East in Baltic Approaches by line joining the Naze and Hantsholm
  but excludes Irish Sea between 051 degs thirty mins and 055 degs
  00 mins North and English Channel between line of Lands End
  Scilly Islands Ushant and line of Dover-Calais.
 

   b.  Join one of following routes at nearest point and
  procceed along it to Loch Eriboll (058 degs 33 minutes North
  004 degs 37 mins West)
 

Blue route:  All positions North and West unless otherwise
  indicated
  049 degs 00 mins 009 degs 00 mins 053 degs 00 mins
  012 degs 00 mins 058 degs 00 mins 011 degs 00 mins
  059 degs 00 mins 005 degs 30 mins thence to Loch Eriboll.
 

Red route:   053 degs 45 mins North 003 degs 00 mins East
  059 degs 45 mins 001 degs 00 mins 059 degs 45 mins
  003 degs 00 mins thence to Loch Eriboll.
 

   c.  Arrive at Loch Eriboll between sunrise and 3 hours
  before sunset.
 

(2)  Area 'B' 

   a.  The Irish Sea between parallel of 051 degs 30 mins
  and 055 degs 00 mins North.
 

   b.  Proceed Beaumaris Bay (053 degs 19 mins North 003
  degs 58 mins West) to arrive between sunrise and 3 hours
  before sunset.
 

(3)  Area 'C' 

   a.  The English Channel between line of Lands End -
  Scilly Isles - Ushant and line of Dover - Calais.
 

   b.  'U' Boats in area 'C' are to join one of following
  routes at nearest point:  Green route:  position 'A' 049 degs
  10 mins North 005 degs 40 mins West position 'B' 050 degs 00
  mins North 003 degs 00 mins West thence escorted to Weymouth.
  Orange route:  position 'X' 050 degs 30 mins North 000 degs 50
  mins East position 'Y' 050 degs 10 mins North 001 degs 50 mins
  West thence escorted to Weymouth.
 

   c.  Arrive at either 'B' or 'Y' between sunrise and 3 hours
  before sunset.
 

(4)  Area 'D' 

   a.  Bound on West by lines joining The Naze and Hantsholm
  and on East by lines joining Lubeck and Trelleborg.
 

   b.  Proceed to Kiel.
 

(5)  Area 'E' 

   a.  Mediterranean Approaches bound on North by 043 degs
  North on South by 026 degs North and on West by 026 degs West.
 

   b.  Proceed to a rendezvous in position 'A' 036 degs 00
  mins North 011 degs 00 mins West and await escort reporting
  expected time of arrival in plain language to Admiral Gibraltar
  on 500 kc/s.
 

   c.  Arrive in position 'A' between sunrise and noon G.M.T.
 

(6)  Area 'F' 

   a.  The North and South Atlantic West of  026 degs West.
 

   b.  Proceed to nearest of one of following points
  arriving between sunrise and 3 hours before sunset:  W 043
  degs 30 mins North 070 degs 00 mins West approach from a
  point 15 miles due East X 038 degs 20 mins North 074 degs
  25 mins West approach from a point 047 degs 18 mins North
  051 30 mins West on a course 270 degs Z 043 31 mins North
  065 degs 05 mins West approach from point 042 degs 59 mins
  North 054 degs 28 mins West on a course 320 degs.
---------------------------------------
 

  UNDERTAKING
 

GIVEN BY CERTAIN GERMAN EMISSARIES
 

  TO THE ALLIED HIGH COMMANDS
 

 
  It is agreed by the German emissaries 

undersigned that the following German officers will
  arrive at a place and time designated by the Supreme
  Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, and the Soviet
  High Command prepared, with plenary powers, to execute
  a formal ratification on behalf of the German High
  Command of this act of Unconditional Surrender of the
  German armed forces.
 

Chief of the High Command
 

Commander-in-Chief of the Army
 

Commander-in-Chief of the Navy
 

Commander-in-Chief of the Air Forces.
 

 
 

SIGNED
 

 
 JODL
 

 
 

  Representing the German High Command.
 

 
DATED   0241   7th May 1945
 Rheims, France
---------------------------------------
 

{Reichspresident Donitz's authorization to German representatives
 to execute ratification}
 

A b s c h r i f t.
 

 
Der Oberste Befehlshaber
   Hauptquartier, den 7.5.45.
der Wehrmact

/Bitte in der Antwort vorstehendes
 Geschaftszeichen, das Datum und
   kurzen Inhalt anzugegen./
 

 
  ICH BEVOLLMACHTIGE
 

GENERALFELDMARSCHALL   K E I T E L
 

ALS CHEF DES OBERKOMMANDOS DER
 

WEHRMACHT UND ZUGLEICH ALS OBER-
 

BEFEHLSHABER DES HEERES,
 

GENERALADMIRAL VON FRIEDBERG
 

ALS OBERBEFEHLSHABER DER KRIEGSMARINE,
 

GENERALOBERST  S T U M P F
 

ALS VERTRETER DES OBERBEFEHLSHABERS
 

DER LUFTWAFFE
 

 
  ZUR RATIFIZIERUNG DER BEDINGUNGSLKSEN
 

KAPITULATION DER DEUTSCHEN STREITKRAFTE GEGEN-
 

UBER DEM OBERBEFEHLSHABER DER ALLIIERTEN
 

EXPEDITIONSSTREITKRAFTE UND DEM SOWYET-OBER-
 

KOMMANDO.
 

 
DONITZ
 

GROBADMIRAL.
 

Siegel.
---------------------------------------
 

   ACT OF MULITARY SURRENDER
 

 
   1.   We the undersigned, acting by 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.
 

   2.   The German High Command will at once
  issue order 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 all 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.
 

   3.   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 Command of the Red Army.
 

   4.   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.
 

   5.   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 Supreme High Command of the Red Army will
  take such punitive or other action as they deem
  appropriate.
 

   6.   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   8^th. day of May, 1945
   
 

   Von Friedeburg   Keitel    Stumpff
 

On behalf of the German High Command
 

  
 

IN THE PRESENCE OF:
 

 
    A.W. Tedder
 On behalf of the    On behalf of the
Supreme Commander   Supreme High Command of the
Allied Expeditionary Force Red Army
 Georgi Zhukov
 

  At the signing also were present as witnesses:
 

 
    F. de Lattre-Tassigny   Carl Spaatz
  General Commanding in Chief General, Commanding
First French Army United States Strategic Air Force

---------------------------------------
 

  BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
 

 
   A PROCLAMATION
 

 
 

  The Allied armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with
  God's help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional
  surrender.  The western world has been freed of the evil forces
  which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and
  broken the lives of millions upon millions of free-born men.
  They have violated their churches, destroyed their homes, cor-
  rupted their children, and murdered their loved ones.  Our Armies
  of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering peoples,
  whose spirit and will the oppressors could never enslave.
    Much remains to be done.  The victory won in the West must
  now be won in the East.  The whole world must be cleansed of the
  evil from which half the world has been freed.  United, the
  peace-loving nations have demonstrated in the West that their arms
  are stronger by far than the might of dictators or the tyranny of
  military cliques that once called us soft and weak.  The power of
  our peoples to defend themselves against all enemies will be proved
  in the Pacific was as it has been proved in Europe.
    For the triumph of spirit and of arms which we have won, and
  of its promise to peoples everywhere who join us in the love of
  freedom, it is fitting that we, as a nation, give thanks to
  Almighty God, who has strengthened us and given us the victory.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, HARRY S. TRUMAN, President of the United
  States of America, do hereby appoint Sunday, May 13, 1945 to be a
  day of prayer.
    I call upon the people of the United States, whatever their
  faith, to unite in offering joyful thanks to God for the victory
  we have won and to pray that He will support us to the end of our
  present struggle and guide us into the way of peace.
    I also call upon my countrymen to dedicate this day of prayer
  to the memory of those who have given their lives to make possible
  our victory.
 

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused
  the seal of the United States of America to be affixed.
 

  Done at the City of Washington this eighth day of May in
..   the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and forty-five and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and sixty-ninth.

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By the President:   Harry S. Truman
 

 

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