British Army officer (1899-1965) and veteran of both World Wars. During the Second World War, he commanded the 7th Armoured Division from 1943 to 1944. World War II-dated souvenir copy of ‘The Surrender of the German Armed Forces, 9th May, 1945,’ one page, 8 x 11.5, prepared and printed under the instruction of Major General George Erskine, who has signed below his typed preamble, “G. W. E. J. Erskine.” His prefatory statement reads: “Below is a copy of the Signal from the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force notifying the complete and unconditional surrender of the German Armed Forces in Europe. I have had this copy prepared for each member of my staff as a souvenir of this memorable day.” Marked “Emergency OPS” and “Confidential,” the sheet contains Supreme Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower's total ceasefire order (FWD 20801) transmitted on May 7, 1945. Its three sections read as follows:
“Para One. A representative of the German High Command signed the unconditional surrender of all German land, sea, and air forces in Europe to the Allied Expeditionary Force and simultaneously to the Soviet High Command at 0141 hours Central European Time, Seven May under which all forces will cease active operations at 0001B hours Nine May.
Para Two. Effective immediately all offensive operations by Allied Expeditionary Force will cease and troops will remain in present positions. Moves involved in occupational duties will continue. Due to difficulties of communication there may be some delay in similar orders reaching enemy troops so full defensive precautions will be taken.
Para Three. All informed down to and including Divisions, Tactical Air Commands and Groups, Base Sections, and equivalent. No repeat no release will be made to the press pending an announcement by the heads of the three governments.” Affixed to a slightly larger cardstock mount and in fine condition.
Prepared by Maj. Gen. Erskine for his personal staff, this souvenir copy contains the fourth and final message sent by Eisenhower after the German surrender, which had been signed in Reims at 0241 hours. It was, however, arguably the most significant—the first three were addressed to American and British chiefs of staff, briefly confirming the fulfillment of their mission and encouraging the coordination of a tri-government announcement. This dispatch, Eisenhower's fourth message, represents the first announcement of the end of the war made to the three million soldiers still serving as part of the Allied Expeditionary Force.
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