✦ History

German Instrument of Surrender

May 7–8, 1945 · Reims

Document by which Germany's armed forces surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, ending the Second World War in Europe.

On the map Contemporaries

Key people

Karl Dönitz head of state who authorised the surrender Wilhelm Keitel signatory Georgy Zhukov accepted surrender for the Soviet Union

Participants

Before and after

Ended
World War II September 1, 1939 – September 2, 1945

Related events 1 degree away • 2 degrees away

1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
 
World War II
 
German Instrument of Surrender