FROM THE GRAND ADMIRAL'S HEADQUARTERS, May 9-The High
Command of the Armed Forces announces:
In East Prussia - German divisions even yesterday gallantly
defended to the very last the Vistula mouth and the western part of
the Frisches Nehrung. The Seventh Division distinguished itself particularly
in this fighting. To their Commander in Chief, General of Tank Troops
von Saucken, were awarded diamonds to the Oak Leaves with swords to
the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in recognition of the exemplary
gallantry of his soldiers.
As an advanced bulwark, our armies in Courland [Latvia],
under the well-proved command of Colonel General Guenther, tied down
superior Soviet rifle and armored formations through many months and
acquired eternal glory in six great battles. They refused any premature
surrender. Only the wounded, and later numerous children, were transported
in full order by aircraft that still left for the west. Staffs and officers
remained with their troops.
At midnight all fighting and all movements were suspended
on the German side, under the conditions that had been signed.
The defenders of Breslau, who resisted Soviet attacks
for more than two months, succumbed to enemy superiority in the last
hour after a heroic struggle.
On the Southeast and East Fronts, from Fiume to Brno
[Bruenn] to the Elbe near Dresden, all the higher military authorities
have received the order to cease fire.
A Czech rising is taking place in the whole of Bohemia
and Moravia and may threaten the execution of the capitulation conditions
as well as communications in that area.
The High Command of the Armed-Forces so far has not
received any reports regarding the situation of the army groups Loehr,
Rendulic and Schoerner.
Far from home, the defenders of the Atlantic bases,
our forces in Norway and garrisons of the Aegean Islands have maintained
the military honor of the German soldier in obedience and discipline.
Since midnight all weapons have been silent on all
fronts on orders of the Grand Admiral, and the armed forces have ceased
the fighting, which has now become hopeless, thus ending a heroic struggle
that lasted almost six years. This struggle brought us great victories.
But also heavy defeats. In the end the German Wehrmacht succumbed with
honor to enormous superiority.
Loyal to his oath, the German soldier's performance
in a supreme effort for his people can never be forgotten. Up to the
last moment the homeland had supported him with all its strength in
an effort entailing the heaviest sacrifices. The unique performance
of the front and homeland will find a final appraisal in the later,
just judgment of history.
The enemy, too, will not deny his tribute of respect
to the performance and sacrifices of German soldiers on land, at sea
and in the air. Every soldier, therefore, may lay aside his weapon proud
and erect and set to work in these gravest hours of our history with
courage and confidence to safeguard the undying life of our people.
In this grave hour the Wehrmacht remembers its comrades
who have died in battle. The dead impose upon us an obligation of unconditional
loyalty, obedience and discipline toward the Fatherland, which is bleeding
from countless wounds.
[After the reading of the communiqué there was
three minutes silence. Then the announcer said:
["The German radio has transmitted the last High
Command communiqué of this war. We close our news bulletin with
an official announcement as follows:
[" 'It is officially announced that effective
May 9, 1945, blackout regulations are lifted. Effective also from today
the ban on listening to foreign stations has been lifted.' "]