Germany's unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945 ended World War II in Europe after nearly six years of conflict.
Key Facts
- Surrender signed
- 8 May 1945, Karlshorst, Berlin
- Signatory
- Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel
- Hitler's suicide
- 30 April 1945
- Berlin captured by Soviets
- 2 May 1945
- Last European battle ended
- Battle of Odžak, 25 May 1945
- Victory in Europe Day (Russia)
- 9 May (Victory Day)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The collapse of Nazi Germany accelerated after Adolf Hitler's suicide on 30 April 1945. Soviet forces captured Berlin on 2 May, and leadership of the Reich passed to Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz and the Flensburg Government, who faced an untenable military position on all fronts.
On 8 May 1945, Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel signed the German Instrument of Surrender at Karlshorst, Berlin, representing Germany's unconditional capitulation to the Allied powers. The date became celebrated as Victory in Europe Day, marking the formal end of World War II in the European theatre.
Although scattered fighting continued on the Eastern Front and in Czechoslovakia until mid-May, and the Battle of Odžak ended on 25 May, Germany's surrender concluded the war in Europe. The broader conflict persisted in the Pacific theatre until Japan's surrender later in 1945.