✦ 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

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