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The German Instrument of Surrender was the legal instrument by which the High Command of the German Armed Forces surrendered on 7 May 1945 to the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force and the Soviet High Command at the end of World War II in Europe.

Act of Military Surrender

1. We the undersigned, acting by authority of the German High Command, hereby surrender unconditionally to the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force and simultaneously to the Soviet High Command all forces on land, sea, and in the air who are at this date under German control.
2. The German High Command will at once issue orders to all German military, naval and air authorities and to all forces under German control to cease active operations at 2301 hours Central European time on 8 May and to remain in the positions occupied at that time. No ship, vessel, or aircraft is to be scuttled, or any damage done to their hull, machinery or equipment.

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Featured May 2009