National Archives: Jubilant American soldier hug motherly English woman and victory smiles light the faces of happy servicemen and civilians at Piccadilly Circus, London, celebrating Germany's unconditional surrenderThe Toledo Blade
"One of America's great newspapers"
Tuesday, May 8, 1945EUROPE WAR OVER!
"WASHINGTON, May 8 (AP)—President Truman today proclaimed complete and unconditional victory in Europe.
"And in a V-E proclamation he said, 'Our blows will continue until the Japanese lay down their arms in unconditional surrender.'
"Going on the radio at 9am, the President told the nation he had set next Sunday—Mother's Day— as a day of prayer in which he wanted all to join. For in rejoicing over victory, he asked the nation not to forget that 'sorrow and heartache' abide in the homes of thousands of Americans.
"This is a solemn but a glorious hour," he declared. "General Eisenhower informs me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to the United Nations. The flags of freedom fly over all Europe.
"For this victory we join in offering our thanks to the providence which has guided and sustained us through he dark days of adversity."
Thus was brought to a close the titanic struggle which cost American armed forces 132,000 lives and more than 550,000 other casualties in three years, four months and seven days of fighting against the Axis in the European and Mediterranean theaters.
Mr. Truman made it clear that this nation's fight against aggression was not over, that the effort will not cease until the Japanese military and naval forces lay down their arms as Nazi Germany has done.Whereabouts Still Mystery
The whereabouts of such war criminals as Himmler, Goering, even Hitler himself, although he had been reported dead, were unknown or if they were known they had not been officially announced.
Germany's formal capitulation came at 2:41am, French time (8:41 p.m., Sunday, Toledo time) in the red Reims schoolhouse, headquarters of General Eisenhower, supreme commander of the Allies of the west.
The crowning triumph came just five years, eight months and six days after Hitler invaded weak but proud Poland and struck the spark which set the world afire.
This marked the official end of was in Europe, but it did not silence all the guns, for battles raged on in Czechoslovakia."Doenitz Says Guns Will Be Stilled Tonight
LONDON, May 8 (AP)—Grand Adm. Karl Doenitz, Germany's current fuehrer, announced today that all Germany's arms would be silent by 11:00 (5:00 p.m., Toledo time) tonight.
Hitler's successor as fuehrer of the German people said in an address over the German-controlled Flensburg radio that the Germans would lay down all their arms in accordance with the unconditional surrender terms he had ordered.
In slow, deliberate terms he told the Germans that the Nazi Party had been severed from the German State and that 'The party has left the scene of its activities.'Soldier's "Last Sacrifice"
Doenitz, addressing the German people said he ordered the high command to surrender unconditionally the night of May 6-7 on all fronts.
"On May 8th at 11:00p.m. the arms will be silent," he said.
The German leader said that "German soldiers of countless battles now are treading the bitter path to captivity and thereby are making the last sacrifice for the life of our women and children and for the future of our nation."
"When I took over the Fuehrer I took it as my first task to save the life of the German people."Difficult Path Ahead"
"We bow before the sacrifices of our nation, of its fighting army, of all men, women and children," he said.
Doenitz declared he did not whether he would continue at his post and added:
"It was impossible to carry on this struggle. A very difficult path lies ahead for us.
"We must walk it dignified, disciplined, and courageous. We must work hard."
Hopes For Security
Doenitz warned the German people that "the power is in the occupying authorities," and he urged them to walk the "difficult path united in the hope that our children in Europe will one day have a free and secure existence."
The fuehrer said he had pledged himself "to help as far as possible to alleviate the fate of the German people" and added:
"Whether this will be possible, I do not know."
His speech was concluded with the remark that the "German people and the Reich must remain united."We Are Still At War! (editorial)
Hostilities are officially ended in Europe, but America is still at war.
There will be fighting for months in parts of the still dangerous Reich and Japan has shown no indication of giving up the struggle.
Thousands of men still must die. Americans still must sacrifice as they have for four long years.
War production must continue at top speed and at full capacity. If it does not, the cost of this war will mount even higher in lives and destruction.
Thinking and patriotic Americans will not let down for a minute. Rather they will double their efforts.© The Toledo Blade, 1945
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