史上今日：May 7
Chief of Operations Staff Admiral Jodl signs the surrender document atReims
1945: Germany signs unconditional surrender
England have
Germany has signed an unconditional surrender bringing to an end six years
of war in Europe, according to reports from France.
This evening the Ministry of Information has confirmed that an official
statement declaring the end of the war, will be made simultaneously in London,
Washington and Moscow tomorrow.
The day has been declared a national holiday to mark Victory in Europe Day
(VE Day). The following day (9 May) will also be a national holiday.
The BBC's Thomas Cadett watched the official signing at a schoolhouse in
Reims, northeastern France, which serves as the advance headquarters of the
supreme commander in Europe, General Dwight D Eisenhower.
"We are so glad the war is over; sometimes we are surprised we are still
living, what with the bombing, the shells, the V bombs and planes that fell down
around here."
People's War memories
He said the signing, which took place in the early hours of this morning,
was carried out "on a cold and businesslike basis."
Afterwards, he said General Gustav Jodl, of Germany, spoke briefly, saying
the Germans had given themselves up "for better or worse into the victors'
hands".
The document was signed by General Bedell Smith for the Allied commander,
General Ivan Susloparov for Russia and General Francois Sevez for France.
It seems General Eisenhower tried to delay the release of the details of
the surrender because of the difficulty of arranging a simultaneous declaration
in London, Washington and Moscow.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the Soviet leader Marshal Joseph Stalin
and United States President Harry S Truman have now agreed to make the official
announcement of the end of the war at 1500 BST tomorrow.
Mr Churchill will broadcast his announcement from the Cabinet room at 10
Downing Street.
It was from this same room that previous Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain
announced Britain was at war with Germany on 3 September 1939.
Until today the German surrender has been piecemeal.
The German 1st and 19th Armies have capitulated in the south. The 25th Army
has surrendered in the western Netherlands and Denmark has been celebrating its
first day of freedom from occupation.
Earlier today, German forces in Norway also surrendered.
The final capitulation has been delayed by the new Fuehrer, Grand Admiral
Doenitz. After the death of Adolf Hitler last week, he announced his intention
to continue the fight against the British and Americans as long as they hampered
his battle with the Russians.
It appears it did not take him long to realise further resistance was
useless.
This evening the King sent a telegram to the Supreme Allied Commander,
General Dwight Eisenhower congratulating the troops for carrying out their
duties with "valour and distinction".
His message continued: "How unbounded is our admiration for the courage and
determination which, under wise leadership, have brought them to their goal of
complete and crushing victory."
Pope John Paul II urged everyone to work together for peace
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Artificially 1969:
The
Thousands of people have turned out to greet Pope John Paul II on his
historic visit to Syria.
The pontiff drove in his popemobile through the narrow streets and was
greeted by Syria's top Muslim cleric Sheik Ahmad Kuftaro.
Sheik Kuftaro said: "This is an occasion that goes beyond history and will
begin the process of putting peace to work in the world."
The pontiff replied: "For me, too, it is a very important day. I am very
happy."
Vatican and Syrian flags decorated the Umayyad Mosque in the old walled
city of Damascus.
Security officers held back a crowd of curious onlookers from a nearby souk
who were craning for a look at the visitor from Rome.
Plea for peace
The Pope, who called on Muslims, Christians and Jews to work together to
bring peace to the Middle East, became the first pontiff to enter a mosque.
As required by Muslim custom, John Paul II removed his shoes and put on
white slippers before entering the mosque.
The 80-year-old, who has Parkinson's disease, stumbled slightly at the
threshold of the mosque and again crossing the main hall.
John Paul II asked for a joint act of contrition, saying: "For all the
times that Muslims and Christians have offended one another...we need to seek
forgiveness from the Almighty and offer each other forgiveness."
At the tomb of St John the Baptist the Pope paused for a minute's silent
meditation. He spent 95 minutes in the mosque, which was built in AD 705 on the
site of a Christian church.
The pontiff also met Agnatios Hazim IV, the Syrian-Greek Orthodox
archbishop, at the Church of St Paul on the Wall in the Syrian capital.
Earlier in the day, the Pope attended a four-hour Mass in a Damascus
stadium.
Vocabulary:
piecemeal: accomplished or made in progress (逐步完成的)
valour: courage or boldness(英勇，勇猛)
pontiff: 罗马教皇
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