On May 7, 1945, the world marked a significant turning point in history as the Allies officially announced the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. This momentous event was chronicled by Associated Press (AP) reporters and photographers, capturing the chaos, joy, and finality that accompanied the end of World War II in Europe.
Edward Kennedy, an AP reporter stationed in Reims, France, was present at the historic signing of the surrender documents. Defying orders that sought to suppress the announcement for political reasons, Kennedy published the news promptly, angering U.S. authorities. Despite the backlash, he was later recognized for prioritizing the truth and informing the public, demonstrating his commitment to journalistic integrity.
The signing took place in a modest red schoolhouse where Colonel-General Alfred Jodl, chief of staff of the German Army, signed four identical documents—the agreements of surrender—for the United States, Britain, France, and Russia. As he concluded his declaration, Jodl implored the Allied commanders to show mercy towards the German people, declaring that they were now "delivered into the victor's hands." This plea was met with silence, only to be followed by General Dwight D. Eisenhower's stern assertion that henceforth, all orders would come from the Allies, signaling the complete defeat and dissolution of Nazi Germany. The war had officially come to an end.
News of the surrender then echoed around the globe, with celebrations erupting across various cities. In Rome, the bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang out triumphantly. Cities worldwide, irrespective of their previous neutrality, were filled with jubilant crowds celebrating the hard-won peace. In contrast, the frontlines in Europe received the news with a more sober reaction, as soldiers, having witnessed the extensive fighting tapering off, took in the enormity of the moment.
London's streets became a vivid tableau of celebration as millions poured out to rejoice at the announcement. From Buckingham Palace through to the East End, the joy of the populace was evident. Historic locations such as Piccadilly Circus and Westminster were filled with throngs of jubilant citizens, highlighting the palpable excitement reminiscent of the armistice of 1918. Pubs overflowed with patrons celebrating with long-stored Champagne and spirits as Big Ben tolled in recognition of the historic day.
In Washington, D.C., crowds congregated in Lafayette Square, awaiting President Harry Truman's formal proclamation of V-E Day (Victory in Europe). Reports from the battlefield indicated a strategic withdrawal of American troops as they established a line of demarcation separating them from Russian forces along the Elbe River.
However, the aftermath of the war painted a stark picture in Berlin, described by Harold King, a former Moscow bureau chief. The city, once a vibrant metropolis, lay in ruins, with devastation greets every observer. The aftermath of bombings wrought a scene so catastrophic that it defied description. Streets and landmarks, including Unter den Linden and Alexanderplatz, were reduced to rubble. The only vestiges of humanity seen amidst the wreckage were ghostlike figures of displaced individuals seeking shelter and basic necessities.
The Red Army had taken control, and the Russian authorities reported the city's population had dwindled significantly, with many residents displaced throughout the outskirts of Berlin. The capitulation of Nazi Germany reshaped the European landscape, marking a profound transition in post-war power dynamics while shedding light on the extensive suffering endured by countless innocents.
While the world celebrated the cessation of hostilities, the grim reality of war's destruction was firmly evident in the heart of Berlin. The announcement of Germany's unconditional surrender not only marked the end of World War II in Europe but also set into motion a complex period of rebuilding and reconciling, as the world sought to heal from the wounds of conflict.
