Historically important original "Cipher Message" purple ink telex document sent to the British Second Army Main Headquarters to announce the end of World War II in Europe, one page, 8.25 x 11.75, containing Supreme Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower's total ceasefire order, as transmitted by SHAEF Forward at 0410 on May 7, 1945. The document is headed "FWD-20801. Confidential." and marked "Most Immediate 040410B" at lower right. Received and printed at Lt. Gen. Miles Dempsey's Second Army Headquarters less than an hour and a half after Germany signed the preliminary surrender document in Reims, the text reads: "PARA 1. 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, 7 May under which all forces will cease active operations at 0001B hours 9 May.
PARA 2. 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 3. Down to and including Divs, Tac 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." Interestingly, the telex is printed on the reverse of an unused German ledger page—perhaps owing to wartime material scarcities. In fine condition, with slight edge chipping.
The present message was the fourth and final one 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. As the notice of the war's end directed to the troops under his command, it is of the utmost historical significance.
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