Five Brothers and a War

German Capitulation

May 7—A meeting was held in Rheims, France wherein the Germans were to surrender in their entirety, but the agreement did not go into effect until the following day. This is V-E Day in the British Commonwealth nations. May 8—The German surrender went into effect. This is considered V-E Day, except in British Commonwealth nations. The Soviets held another surrender signing ceremony in Berlin, on the basis that there was no authorization for them to sign the document at Rheims. This agreement did not go into effect until the following day. May 9—The agreement with the Soviets went into effect. This was/is Victory Day in the Soviet Union/Russia. September 12, 1990—this was the final date of the war, in that the four main Allied Powers (USA, UK, France and Russia) had to agree to German reunification, as East Germany and West Germany came back together. The agreement between the “Two Plus Four” nations was signed in Moscow. As there was no “peace treaty” ending the war, it is perhaps possible to view this document in that light.

This is a video clip that is useful in terms of visuals and actual words spoken at the meetings. The narration was apparently intended for propaganda, as there is significant erroneous editorializing and gross hyperbole.

the war

Five Brothers and a War

Page 604