On May 7, 1945, the bloodiest conflict ever in Europe would end. At exactly 2:41 a.m. on May 7, 1945, the Germans signed an uncondional surrender in a schoolhouse called the College Moderne et Technicale located at Reims.
Admiral Hans Georg von Friedeburg of the German navy, Field Marshal Alfred Gustav Jodl, head of German General Staff, and Major General Wilhelp Oxenius were at a table in the small room ready to sign the document. The Allies had their Generals present as well. Lieutenant General Sir Frederick Morgan, General Francois Sevez of France, Admiral Sir H.M. burrough, head of Allies Navy, and Lieutenant General Walter Bedell Smith, chief of staff of Eisenhower was present. Others that were present included Lieutenant General Ivan Chermiaev and General Ivan Suslaparov of the Soviet Union. General Carl A. Spaatz was present for the U.S. Strategic Air Forces.
Four seperate documents were to be signed. One for the U.S., France, Great Britain, and Russia. They were signed immediately, and the German empire was no more. Another surrender was signed in Berlin just to show the world that the Russians and the Western Allies were united. Now all of the German armed forces became prisoners of war.
After about 5 years of war in Europe, Africa and Asia, the German war machine was dead. Hitler was dead, his country was dead. Germany was now the Allies, and would abide to all it's conditions. World War II in Europe was over!!!
On May 8, 1945, celebrations erupted all over the world. Thousands ran into the streets, hugging neighbors, and celebrating with strangers. The Allied world was united in celebration. It was too bad that Franklin Roosevelt hadn't lived to see the end of either wars, but the fact that he died trying made him a greater American hero. The war was over in Europe, but it still wasn't over in Japan. But America had two bombs up it's sleeve. Boy were the Japanese gonna get it!
