Third Reich generals were a proud lot but bent the knee when the Allies were knocking on Berlin’s door. The end of the war in Europe would see the end of years of bloody fighting and millions of lives lost. For some of these Third Reich generals, the very real fear of being held accountable for their crimes was on the table while Europe was looking to rebuild and recover.
A Day to Remember
May 8th, 1945 marked the end of all hostilities in Europe. Embarrassed Third Reich generals, fearing both reprisals and the Soviet threat to the east, cowed to the Western Allied forces.
The End
By May of 1945, German forces were exhausted and starved. While the fighting continued up to the last minute, there was no hope for a breakout.
Not Too Proud
For the Third Reich generals present, Monty’s surrender terms were absolute. Germany’s war was over, and Europe could finally rest easy after 6 years of chaos and bloodshed.
Finality
Despite the fierce fighting in the months leading to this moment, the Third Reich generals readily signed the document. They knew what waited for them was nothing short of absolute destruction. The war had to end so the world could heal.
A Calm
Third Reich generals would arrive in Paris to also accept the terms of surrender. Despite the scope and breadth of the fighting across Europe, the surrender was carried out swiftly.
Unconditional Surrender
The Third Reich generals attending the Paris meeting were greeted by delegates from Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union. The terms of surrender had been ratified beforehand, but still, they had to be signed.
Losing It All
Victory in Europe wasn’t just an end to the fighting, but a complete power shift. While the German forces had run amok across Europe, that time had come to an end. Subsequently, all captured lands would be ceded to their rightful owners in the aftermath.
The Next Step Forward
While German surrender was inevitable, there was still work to be done. All delegates, representing their respective nations, would sign the document before the day’s end.
A Moment in Time
German forces were done, the Third Reich generals would never command a force of the same scope. Despite this, there is a sense of hope running underneath these proceedings.
True Smiles
When just weeks before Berlin was beset with gunfire, the Allied commanders could stroll peacefully without fear. The Third Reich generals risked reigniting the war if they didn’t tend to instructions exactly as they were given.
The Last March
Before Europe could begin to heal, there were still Third Reich generals to accept the terms of surrender. The war was over. Much like the Armistice of the Great War, there was a sigh of relief breathed by those who call Europe home.
Watch the Full Video
If you would like to see this incredible footage for yourself, you can do so here. The Second World War is an endlessly fascinating subject, and such footage captures the zeitgeist of the times.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©George Trumpeter/Shutterstock.com.
