Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, European Advisory Commission, Austria, Germany, Volume III

740.00119 E.W./5–645: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State

Paris, May 6, 1945—11 p.m.
[Received May 6—7:30 p.m.]

2426. For Matthews from Murphy. Field Marshal Jodl⁷⁶ arrived at SHAEF this afternoon from 21st Army Group Headquarters. He is understood to possess full powers for the surrender of German forces. SHAEF officers are inclined to be optimistic of a successful outcome and the first impression they have is that the German’s have decided upon unconditional surrender and that their primary concern is to save as many of their forces as possible from falling into Russian hands. The surrender will embrace the entire area north and south and I believe it will be signed Sunday night or Monday morning. [Murphy.]

Caffery

76. Generaloberst Alfred Jodl, Chief of the Operations Staff of the German Armed Forces.