Nazi Germany’s main surrender in Europe took place in early May 1945, formally ending major combat on the continent by May 8–9, 1945.

Key surrender dates

  • On 7 May 1945, German General Alfred Jodl signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Reims, France, ordering all German forces to cease fighting.
  • The surrender terms took effect late on 8 May 1945 (often marked as V‑E Day), when fighting in Europe was officially to stop.
  • A second, more ceremonial signing took place in Berlin-Karlshorst around midnight 8–9 May 1945 before Soviet and other Allied representatives, and the document was dated 8 May.

Why there are two dates

  • Many Western countries commemorate 8 May as the end of Nazi Germany in Europe because that is when the cease-fire came into force and when leaders like Winston Churchill announced Germany’s surrender.
  • In the Soviet Union and several post-Soviet states, 9 May is marked as Victory Day, reflecting the timing of the Berlin signing and time zone differences that pushed the event past midnight.

Simple takeaway

  • The Nazis effectively surrendered in Europe when Germany signed unconditional surrender on 7 May 1945, with hostilities ordered to end late on 8 May and a final formal act signed in Berlin in the early hours of 9 May 1945.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.