LONDON: German Flensburg Radio to-day [May 7] reported Admiral Doenitz has ordered unconditional surrender of all German fighting troops. The Radio said: “We are now broadcasting an address by Reich Minister von Schwerin von Krosigk to the German people: German men and women — The High Command of the armed forces have to-day at the order of Grand Admiral Doenitz declared unconditional surrender of all fighting German troops. As leading Minister of the Reich Government which Admiral Fleet has appointed for dealing with war tasks, I turn at the moment of history to the German nation. After a heroic fight of six years of incomparable hardness, Germany has succumbed to overwhelming odds of her enemies. To continue the war would mean senseless bloodshed and futile disintegration. The government which has the feeling of responsibility for the future of its nation was compelled, on collapse of all physical and material forces, to demand of the enemy cessation of hostilities.”

Urgent last minute talks before Germany’s surrender is announced are keeping the radio lines humming between London, Moscow and Washington, cables Michael Ryerson, Reuter’s Special Correspondent … Already a large crowd has formed at the end of Downing Street waiting for news to break.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2020