CO129-591-18 Liberation of Hong Kong- arrangements for Japanese surrender 15-8-1945 - 19-4-1946 — Page 187

187

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT

1

GERMANY.

May 18, 1945.

CONFIDENTIAL.

(16797)

SECTION 1.

[C_2307/45/18]

150 Copy No.

Mr. Steel to Mr. Churchill.—(Received 18th May.)

(Despatch No. 1.) Sir,

Supreme Headquarters,

Allied Expeditionary Force,

British Political Office. 16th May, 1945.

WITH reference to your telegram No. 78, Saving, I have the honour to trans- mit to you herewith photostatic copies, prepared by the Military Authorities at this Headquarters, of the following documents:

(1) The Full Powers enabling Colonel-General Jodl to conclude an armistice

with General Eisenhower's Headquarters.

(2) The Act of Military Surrender, signed at Rheims on the 7th May, 1945. (3) The Orders issued by the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, relating to Army and Air Forces under German control, given at Rheims on the 7th May, 1945.

(4) The Special Orders by the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, to the German High Command, relating to Naval Forces, given at Rheims on the 7th May, 1945.(1)

(5) The Undertaking given by certain German Emissaries to the Allied

High Commands on the 7th May, 1945.

(6) The Full Powers extended to Field-Marshal Keitel, Admiral von Friedeburg and General Stumpf for the ratification of Unconditional Surrender.

(7) The Act of Military Surrender, signed at Berlin on the 8th May, 1945. (8) The Russian Text of the above.(1) (9) The German Text of the above.(1)

(1)

I have, &c.

CHRISTOPHER STEEL.

(Translation).

Headquarters, 6th May, 1945.

I empower Colonel-General Jodl, Chief of Staff to the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces, to conclude an Armistice Agreement with the Headquarters of General Eisenhower.

(2)

DÖNITZ, Grand Admiral.

Only this text in English is authoritative.

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 the 8th May and

(1) Not printed.

[65-86]